JD 4720 4WD Knuckel

[Rhodemont]

My JD 4720 tractor has knuckles to transfer the shaft drive down and then over to the wheels.

Saturday I found a steel disc on the ground near where I park the tractor.  Could not find where it may have been from on the tractor so figured it to be from my hay guy trailer that he had parked there.  Well yesterday while removing the backhoe and setting up the log winch I saw what looked like yellow mustard on the inside of the right front tire.  The 'mustard' was dripping off the knuckle.  Crawling around I found where that disc came from...the bottom of the knuckle.  Uh Oh, the mustard is the gear oil from the front axel.

My initial thought was Dang this is gonna be a problem.  I called a local tractor guy I know, he said no big deal.  Once in a while they drop out (the odds of me finding it where unbelievable!!)  Tap the disc back up into the bottom of the knuckle and then give it a couple good whacks to seal it in place, then add some gear oil and check for a seal.  Well, a couple good whacks and that disc will not come out and no leaks.

Sounds too easy.  




 

[beenthere]

Just read about a similar problem on an axle. 

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/2006-4320-front-wheel-seals-leaking.526786/

[Rhodemont]

Beenthere that video is spot on.  Ran the tractor today skidding out some white oak.  So far, so good, axel oil is full and no signs of a leak.  Still sounds too easy.