ZF Axles

[aerolift]

ZF Axles
We are having problems with planetary drives and spur gears on ZF Axles.
The Model # is MS-T 3045. They are used in many Telehandler applications.
The JLG/SkyTrak 8042 and 10054 Legacy Models are the problem.
Anybody find replacement parts or aftermarket suppliers?

 

[barklee]

Try Highlift equipment in Cincinnati Ohio (513) 563-2888
I think they repaired our ZF axles before

 

[grandkobelco]

Is it the rear axle planaterys your haveing trouble with? Are the tires loaded? There is a 4 gear cover avalible to replace the originall 3 gear. We have some stuff in stock, some used. Grand equip. hudsonville MI. 616 896 7700.

 

[aerolift]

Does the 4 pin last? Why are the front and back axles different sizes?
Is this axles used in other telehandler applications?

 

[grandkobelco]

Zf

JLG theory is there is more wieght on the front axle therfore more traction therfore heavyer duty. With loaded tires on the rear they dug to deep and broke every time. 4 pins do last. I work for a company that owns 15 8042 and 10054's every time they broke a rear planitary they went to a 4 pin cured the problem. They foamed the tires to eliminate flats. Each wheel assembly weighed about 1000#. I was in a meeting one time with JLG reps and they told me ZF made these for JLG only.

 

[icestationzebra]

I helped test the original ZF axles for LULL 644E/944E and SkyTrak Legacy series, which was the first applications of the 3045-3060 series. I believe it was derived from a tractor front axle. One thing I will highly recommend is to make sure the lug nuts are kept tight. The cover, which provides the shafts for the planetaries to ride on, is only held relative to the hub through the lug nut clamp load. You will notice 3 small bolts on the cover, they are only there to hold the cover on during shipping and tire replacement. If the lugs loosen up the cover can move around, which obviously isn't good.

We had a 3045, 3060 and 3045HD (I think it was the original 4 planetary 3045, renamed the 3055?). As far as the actual differences between the axles I can't remember anymore. The 3000 series is designed to be modular and ZF can mix-and-match differentials, wheel ends, etc. Initially there was some talk of a lighter version, but with all the problems we had during development it quietly went away, might have ended up on the smaller European telehandlers. Initially foam tires were not approved, but about the time I left is when some of the big customers were demanding it. They are harder on axles due to the higher rotational inertia and reduced bump absorption.

As for other applications they also came on Sky Trak Millenia 4270/4290's (not many were sold), newer JLG's and Deere (not sure of the models, might be 3200/3400?). There are probably others because they are cheaper and smaller than Dana or Spicer axles.

ISZ

 

[grandkobelco]

JLG theory is there is more wieght on the front axle therfore more traction therfore heavyer duty. With loaded tires on the rear they dug to deep and broke every time. 4 pins do last. I work for a company that owns 15 8042 and 10054's every time they broke a rear planitary they went to a 4 pin cured the problem. They foamed the tires to eliminate flats. Each wheel assembly weighed about 1000#. I was in a meeting one time with JLG reps and they told me ZF made these for JLG only.

I can't say that anymore. I just came from a job with a totaled out rear planatary. 4 gear, flat job site.

 

[icestationzebra]

I can't say that anymore. I just came from a job with a totaled out rear planatary. 4 gear, flat job site.

Foamed tires? ISZ

 

[grandkobelco]

No, that's the supprising part. 10054, 2200 hours, flat jobsite, in fact mostly asphault, good oil level.

 

[icestationzebra]

"in fact mostly asphalt"

That may be part of your problem. Almost all telehandlers are in full time 4wd. Any difference in the average rolling radius of the front tires vs. the rear set will load up the axles and drive shafts. The result is one axle dragging and the other pulling all the time. The only way to avoid this is to use a center differential (and I don't know of any machine that does) or hydrostatic drive. The reason this works 98% of the time is because most machines work most of the time in the dirt. Sometimes you can see this by driving the machine in a tight circle on asphalt several times, then look at the rubber marks and see where the tires bind up then break loose.

Obviously the rolling radius varies due to tire model/brand, tread wear, air pressure, loading, etc. In reality a set of tires is rarely perfectly matched, but some sets of tires are worse than others. We measured the rolling circumference of a brand new set of tires, and one was about 5% different than the others (I don't remember exactly). This was bad enough to cause a slow pulsating rumble when driving straight on asphalt.

The other issue I would check is to make sure the lug nuts are tight. And with these axles don't just trust an impact gun, get out the torque wrench and check them. If they are not up to torque the planetaries can move around causing a lot of destruction in a quick hurry.

ISZ

 

[grandkobelco]

Yea I realize asphault can be hard on tires but you would think the planetareys would hold up to it.