Broken Bolt - Crossmember to Reverser - John Deere 350 - How to Fix?

[bulletpruf]

Just so you know, if you actually cut a bolt from 3 inch to 2.5 inches and it is a bolt with shouldered non-threaded section, it will be a weak bolt afterwards as you have shortened the stretch zone.
If it was a bolt that was threaded right through to the head it will be perfectly fine.
Have fixed many bolt applications where the bolts kept breaking because the stretch zone was too short.
Simon C

They are fully threaded, but I didn't know that! Thanks for the info.

Scott

 

[Simon C]

You can take a 3 inch fully threaded bolt and cut with zip disc to 2 inch and it won't cause any problems, but shorten the stretch zone on a bolt with shoulder in a high impact situation and they will break over and over again. This all comes from a Bomalloy technical book that I have that explains it all.
Hope it helps
Simon C

 

[oarwhat]

Have you checked the bolts to the bellhousing on the side frame rail? We couldn't keep those from breaking or backing out on a straight 450.

 

[bulletpruf]

Have you checked the bolts to the bellhousing on the side frame rail? We couldn't keep those from breaking or backing out on a straight 450.

You're talking about the bolts that go to the reverser mount, right? On the 350 (and I'm assuming the 450 is the same), the reverser is between the engine and the transmission, and it's secured to the frame via the reverser mount with 3/4" bolts that are about 7" long. If so, I've checked them; looks like they've been replaced at some point, but they're holding up for now.

Thanks

 

[Simon C]

You're talking about the bolts that go to the reverser mount, right? On the 350 (and I'm assuming the 450 is the same), the reverser is between the engine and the transmission, and it's secured to the frame via the reverser mount with 3/4" bolts that are about 7" long. If so, I've checked them; looks like they've been replaced at some point, but they're holding up for now.

Thanks

Always good to change out fatigued bolts while able and replace with Cat bolts or Grade 9 bolts such as Bomalloy or Fedalloy which both can handle a bit more torque and less likely to break.
Simon C

 

[bulletpruf]

Always good to change out fatigued bolts while able and replace with Cat bolts or Grade 9 bolts such as Bomalloy or Fedalloy which both can handle a bit more torque and less likely to break.
Simon C

I do plan to do that with the bolts that are prone to breakage. I'll check out Bomalloy and Fedalloy.

Thanks

 

[Simon C]

Caterpillar bolts are 20% stronger than grade 8 from what I know, and have had good success with over the years.
Simon C

 

[bulletpruf]

Caterpillar bolts are 20% stronger than grade 8 from what I know, and have had good success with over the years.
Simon C

I'll check them out, too.

Thanks

Scott

 

[Welder Dave]

I think Cat bolts are like unofficial grade 9 bolts. I had a 3/4" grade 12 bolt snap on my tractor that I'm convinced was a defective bolt. The other grade 8 bolt held fine. The bolt held the cab on the top of the axle and the loader frame on the bottom. It's only a 45 HP tractor and I don't do heavy digging or pushing with. Very strange!

 

[oarwhat]

You're talking about the bolts that go to the reverser mount, right? On the 350 (and I'm assuming the 450 is the same), the reverser is between the engine and the transmission, and it's secured to the frame via the reverser mount with 3/4" bolts that are about 7" long. If so, I've checked them; looks like they've been replaced at some point, but they're holding up for now.

Thanks

Yes sir those are the ones.