How can I lose an axle if I'm going to weld up the front idler? This is the biggest issue...other issue I found is small radiator leak..I ran this machine for about 1 1/2 hrs and it had plenty power in forward and reverse.
As for a $1500 machine???? well I'm not sure the poster has any knowledge of heavy equipment machinery or is qualified.
You can lose the bearings on anything that rotates, and that idler has been rotating off and on for decades. That's why we're advocating a new idler assembly, or good used takeoff. You might put in all the time and effort to weld that up and then a month later find it's turned into a cow bell. Or not. YMMV
Yeah, what Dickjr said, lol