Loader CK35 Loader Problem

[pmsmechanic]

My guess is you were pushing something with the bucket curled all the way forward and hit something that didn't give. My advice would be not to replace these with something stronger as next time something more expensive will break. Also learn not to use your bucket for blade work in that position. It is only for dumping the bucket.

 

[skipples]

Yes. Back dragging. Done it a thousand times with no problem but this was in damp clay and it dug in. The links deformed and when the bucket was curled back, they snapped. I noticed that the links were bowed but thought they were formed that way to clear the pins.

My CK 20 never broke; I hope I won't have to baby this one!��

 

[J_J]

I'm wondering what the hydraulic pressures (psi) were set at. Is the pressure relief valve functioning properly.
I'm thinking a relief valve should have kept the loader from that type of damage. (Not my area of expertise)


Need more info on what the task at hand was........

There is no pressure relief with the valve lever in neutral unless you have work port relief, and most don't .

There is a large mechanical ratio from the pins to the tip of the bucket, and that could rip the mount off.

 

[TBDonnelly]

CK35 is a lot more powerful than a CK20. It's a very vulnerable position when the cylinder rods are extended. I have seen much larger machines with bowed cylinder rods from back dragging and the bucket digs in. The quick change bracket also moves the bucket 4 - 5 inches further out from the end of the arms.


Thanks J.J. for clearing that up.

 

[skipples]

Rick & TB
Yes, when the link deformed it scraped on the boom; it's not a crack. The metal failed in compression because of the way I was using the bucket. First the links bowed out, then snapped. I wasn't watching them but pieced it together in hindsight.

While the CK35 is, of course, much more powerful than the CK20 (that's why I bought it!), I would have expected the construction to be commensurate with the increased power and weight.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Rick & TB
Yes, when the link deformed it scraped on the boom; it's not a crack. The metal failed in compression because of the way I was using the bucket. First the links bowed out, then snapped. I wasn't watching them but pieced it together in hindsight.

While the CK35 is, of course, much more powerful than the CK20 (that's why I bought it!), I would have expected the construction to be commensurate with the increased power and weight.

Don't forget that sometimes equipment is designed with a weak link. Replacing these pieces of steel is a lot cheaper than replacing or rebuilding hydraulic cylinders.

 

[skipples]

That's probably true, Ernie. I guess they could be flattened and welded but I just ordered them from Michigan Iron and Equip for around $200 USD including shipping to me in So California. Lesson learned.

 

[oldpilgrim]

the LS tractors had a lot of problems like that.

Check their forum on this site.

I read them a while ago, seems like the consensus was back dragging was the problem. I can't remember what the final solution(s) were.

 

[Tractor Tom]

Sorry to hear about your problem Skipples, but good info for the rest of us to learn from. Thanks for posting, I hope it's not to costly of repair.

 

[TBDonnelly]

I was fortunate. When I purchased my first tractor a wise old heavy equipment operator advised not to back drag with the cylinders extended to the point where the blade of the bucket is angled back toward the tractor(passed the vertical point). That advice has served me well.

When the need arises to (agressively) back drag, with the blade of the bucket passed vertical, I fight the urge and either hook up the box blade or the 3point grader/leveler made with commercial grade cyclone fencing.