Kubota L4400 Bent Front End Loader Dump Cylinder UHOH

dex3361 · May 9, 2011

Well I have done it now I was using the grapple to extricate small stumps and caught the rake as I was backing up and bent the Dump cylinder on the right side. I got online and have been searching for replacement cylinders and it seem as though they are and odd size. The tractor is a Kubota L4400HST with a LA703 loader. The cylinder is 2" bore with a 18.125" stroke.
It is 26 5/8" retracted. It has 1" pins. I looked at Baileys and Surplus Center and could not find an exact replacement. I am going to drop the cylinder of to see if it can be repaired. Kubota wants in the $600 for 1 cylinder. Must be made out of gold. Any input would be appreciated.:anyone:

mrmikey · May 10, 2011

At that price you'd probably be better off replacing both cylinders with an aftermarket something close in size.
It pi$$es me off when I see dealers, not just tractors, everything charging an outrageous price for oe parts. Another example, an air filter for my 1500 Kawi. 1500 $65. Sorry, rant mode off

..Mike

SLHawkins · May 10, 2011

Check to see if there is a hydraulic shop near you and have the cylinder rebuilt. My experience has been that locating after market cylinders has been challenging. Although, you might want to look at some of the internet suppliers such as coleman equipment (Coleman Equipment - Case, Kubota, Stihl - Sales, Rental, Parts & Service). Or, a manufacturer that specializes in cylinders (Hydraulic Cylinders).

Hawk

LD1 · May 10, 2011

Buy two of these and be done

Hydraulic Cylinders 116-722 Detailed Information

It is a tad longer stroke, but if your bucket is like mine, it has mechanical stops to prevent overtravel anyway. So a little longer wont hurt anything.

But you will want to double check fitting size, you may need adapters. And also check the width of the pin crosstube and see if they are the same as well.

dex3361 · May 10, 2011

Thanks guys I will check out the sites this evening. I am going to take it to a hydraulic shop to see what they say.

Chilly807 · May 10, 2011

mrmikey said:
At that price you'd probably be better off replacing both cylinders with an aftermarket something close in size.
It pi$$es me off when I see dealers, not just tractors, everything charging an outrageous price for oe parts. Another example, an air filter for my 1500 Kawi. 1500 $65. Sorry, rant mode off ..Mike

I'd have to agree with Mike. There's a reason the cylinders are an odd size, and it has nothing to do with saving the customer money when he damages one.

Sean

wdchyd · May 10, 2011

Dex,

Do yourself a favor and remove the cyl, pull hyd rod all the way out.....then move rod back and forth to see if gland is egged out......you may have to do this to the other good side to give you an idea of how much wiggle is normal...

if the gland is egged then you'll need more than just a rod......if the cyl tube is stretched out where the gland screws in, then start pricing out new cyl (s)

if it just needs a rod and seal kit you may find out it won't be as expensive as you think, replacing both with generic cyls is cost effective but don't forget there may be some retrofitting the pin sizes and hose fittings/adapters to add to the cost....

dex3361 · May 10, 2011

Not looking good I took the cylinder off and inspected the end where gland screws in it broke and it looks like it egged shaped the end and threads. I located a hydraulic shop and I am going to drop by tomorrow and see what he says. The rod is 1.180" and a 1.25" would be stronger but would lower the break out strength. I guess I will see what the local expert says but I fear that the TBN experts as usual are right.

Kernopelli · May 10, 2011

dex3361 said:
Not looking good I took the cylinder off and inspected the end where gland screws in it broke and it looks like it egged shaped the end and threads. I located a hydraulic shop and I am going to drop by tomorrow and see what he says. The rod is 1.180" and a 1.25" would be stronger but would lower the break out strength. I guess I will see what the local expert says but I fear that the TBN experts as usual are right.

At 2000 psi that rod size difference creates a 267 lbs difference in force (about 6.5%)....probably wouldn't worry about it for the added strength.

wdchyd · May 10, 2011

Kernopelli said:
At 2000 psi that rod size difference creates a 267 lbs difference in force (about 6.5%)....probably wouldn't worry about it for the added strength.

The only thing I'd worry about changing rod dia from 30mm to 1.250 would be the one cyl will be carrying more load (6.5%) when retracting (holding bucket full of material)......would this stress the FEL frame..??....Maybe/Maybe not..??

If a rod dia is changed then you'd be wise to do both...

dex3361 · May 10, 2011

wdchyd said:
The only thing I'd worry about changing rod dia from 30mm to 1.250 would be the one cyl will be carrying more load (6.5%) when retracting (holding bucket full of material)......would this stress the FEL frame..??....Maybe/Maybe not..??

If a rod dia is changed then you'd be wise to do both...

If I swap cylinders I will swap both at the same time. I think it would be a bad Idea to have to different cylinders. Thanks.

dex3361 · May 10, 2011

I took some pics of the cylinder. Opinions on whether it is repairable?

LD1 · May 11, 2011

dex3361 said:
I took some pics of the cylinder. Opinions on whether it is repairable?

It would probabally cost you more than the OEM replacement.

And definatally a lot more than a pair of aftermarket cylinders

wdchyd · May 11, 2011

Forget it.....I just threw one out last week....same problem....same style...Took it apart to see if anything was usable....NOT..!!...

It needed everything but the piston head and the nut on the end of the rod...

wdchyd · May 11, 2011

Pulled it out of the scrap bin....30mm rod x 50mm bore

Chilly807 · May 11, 2011

If you can find two aftermarket cylinders that work for you, I'd suggest putting the remaining good cylinder on E-bay and selling it to pay for the replacements.

If it's over $600 new, you should be able to get at least $200 for yours, which will most likely pay for most, if not all the cost for your new cylinders. Use the new ones for a bit first, just in case you DO need to get an OEM replacement for some reason.

The L4400 is common enough there should be some demand for that part.

If I needed a replacement cylinder, I'd pay $200 for a good used one, but $600 is too much.

Typical Kubota, the stuff is good quality but expensive to the end user.

Your cylinder looks a lot like the one I mounted on my rear blade, after it was overextended and bent, that is..

Sean

dex3361 · May 11, 2011

Chilly807 said:
If you can find two aftermarket cylinders that work for you, I'd suggest putting the remaining good cylinder on E-bay and selling it to pay for the replacements.

If it's over $600 new, you should be able to get at least $200 for yours, which will most likely pay for most, if not all the cost for your new cylinders. Use the new ones for a bit first, just in case you DO need to get an OEM replacement for some reason.

The L4400 is common enough there should be some demand for that part.

If I needed a replacement cylinder, I'd pay $200 for a good used one, but $600 is too much.

Typical Kubota, the stuff is good quality but expensive to the end user.

Your cylinder looks a lot like the one I mounted on my rear blade, after it was overextended and bent, that is..

Sean

Great suggestions. I will probably do just that. I searched ebay and found a couple of kubota cylinders but none of the one that I have.

General Lee · May 11, 2011

Sheww, How much does it take to bend one of those?

wdchyd · May 11, 2011

Not very much when it's extended all the way out......30mm Dia....

dex3361 · May 11, 2011

I made the trip today to the Hydraulic shop and the shop manager told me he could fix the cylinder. It sounded great till I heard the cost $600. I told him I would buy a new one at that cost. It had a deformed place at the end where the gland broke. So the TBN brain trust is on the mark again. I have found a couple of close replacements. Not exact but close. The original cylinder is made by ROQUET in Spain and is a metric size cylinder that is
1.968" bore x 18.68" stroke 26 9/16" retracted (center line pin to pin) and 45 1/4" extended (center line pin to pin) with 1 " pins on both ends. The replacement is a little shorter and is a stock size Baileynet 2" x 18" here is the link. I will have to do some trimming on the cross tube on one end and put shims in the other end. Any thoughts or ideas? I am all ears. I am still debating on the exact cylinder to purchase as the one that