Wheels on one side not spinning.

[RandomPerson]

Hi all, we have a 1970 Case 1740 skidsteer which up until last year worked fine with only minimal issues. This was purchased a while back by my husband in very used condition but since we use it for lighter stuff it fit our needs perfectly. Last year someone borrowed it and returned it broken. He said there was a screwdriver stuck into where one of the axle keys goes, that the screwdriver broke and so he purchased a replacement key from Tractor Supply. The screwdriver has apparently been there since we've had it so we have no idea what the reasoning was. The problem... Currently when it is on, the left wheels work fine but the right wheels don't. The axle spins all way to the wheels but the wheels themselves don't spin. We have a repair manual but it covers multiple models and unfortunately some of the diagrams are difficult to figure out. Right now we are trying to get an idea of where we should be looking. My husband said when he tries to move one of the right side wheels the other right side wheel also moves a bit so they still seem to be connected to each other. I've tried searching around but I can't seem to find this specific problem or at least I don't know enough terminology to properly search. Does anyone have any thoughts on where we should be looking? Thanks for the help!

 

[flyerdan]

It's quite common for the wheels on one side to be connected to a central motor drive by chains and sprockets, that allows all 4 wheels to drive with only 2 motors.
If it has a round shaft with a keyway, the only thing I can think of is perhaps the replacement key was the wrong size or too soft and sheared off, a parts breakdown diagram would show how it all goes together but I can't seem to find one online for that model. Most of the Bobcat drive motors use spline drives to transmit power, since someone jammed a screwdriver in for a replacement component one wonders what other unconventional engineering was involved.

 

[RandomPerson]

It's quite common for the wheels on one side to be connected to a central motor drive by chains and sprockets, that allows all 4 wheels to drive with only 2 motors.
If it has a round shaft with a keyway, the only thing I can think of is perhaps the replacement key was the wrong size or too soft and sheared off, a parts breakdown diagram would show how it all goes together but I can't seem to find one online for that model. Most of the Bobcat drive motors use spline drives to transmit power, since someone jammed a screwdriver in for a replacement component one wonders what other unconventional engineering was involved.

Thank you for the reply. We got it figured out. The braket that held the No 40 chain tightener broke, took the chain with it as well a a few washers and a bearing (that we can tell so far).