Loader What to do with a bent arm

[geoffleach]

Here's a photo of the problem. The arm in question has a 5mm bend as compared to the other arm (background).



For context, here's a broader view.



What course of action do you suggest?

Thanks.

 

[flyerdan]

It looks like the bend is where the extension is welded to the back of the tube; first I would check with a metal straight edge to make sure that the hydraulic cylinder tube didn't have any swail. If it was straight, I would retract it, then put a wooden block between the gland end and loader frame (wedge one in if necessary to get the same distance as the good side) and secure it with a chain or whatever to keep it from moving. Then use one of those spreaders in a porta power under the welded end to spring it back into line. It might require some wood shims to get full travel, as it will have to go a bit beyond level due to springback, but take small steps and compare to the other side measurements. 5mm isn't much, so be careful not to over do it.

 

[rustyshakelford]

That for the self leveling loader right? How does it affect the function? How in the world did that get bent?

Brett

 

[geoffleach]

Seems to function fine. How did it happen? No idea. I was working with a grapple and some fairly heavy logs.

 

[geoffleach]

Thanks for the detailed response!

 

[newbury]

I'd probably do what you've done - hop on TBN and ask, plus I'd check all my sources (relatives, local mechanics) to line up a shop that could repair a cylinder.

Prices vary widely it seems, I had a cylinder pictured here



rebuilt for $40.

I'd be pretty hesitant about internal damage. Did you use it much after you bent it?

 

[ovrszd]

If everything works I'd leave it alone.

Trying to fix this may tear the end cap loose from the cylinder barrel. You won't like that result.

You are extremely lucky that it bent where it did versus bending the ram. That's not a "hydraulic" bend. That's from an object making physical contact with the cylinder barrel.

 

[geoffleach]

It looks like the bend is where the extension is welded to the back of the tube; first I would check with a metal straight edge to make sure that the hydraulic cylinder tube didn't have any swail. If it was straight, I would retract it, then put a wooden block between the gland end and loader frame (wedge one in if necessary to get the same distance as the good side) and secure it with a chain or whatever to keep it from moving. Then use one of those spreaders in a porta power under the welded end to spring it back into line. It might require some wood shims to get full travel, as it will have to go a bit beyond level due to springback, but take small steps and compare to the other side measurements. 5mm isn't much, so be careful not to over do it.

Couple of questions. From a newbie.

What is swail?
What is the gland end?

Thanks.

 

[ovrszd]

Couple of questions. From a newbie.

What is swail?
What is the gland end?

Thanks.

Swail, as used in the description, would be that the cylinder tube is bent.

The gland end is the end of the cylinder tube where the ram comes out of.

 

[geoffleach]

I've been using it with no apparent problems. No hydraulic fluid drip, no nasty sounds, apparently full power.

 

[ovrszd]

I've been using it with no apparent problems. No hydraulic fluid drip, no nasty sounds, apparently full power.

Then continue to use it with no attempt at repair.

 

[rustyshakelford]

It looks to me like the square tubing is what bent. Part of the self leveling design. The cylinder and ram appear fine, just the tubing got a little bow to it

Brett

 

[stingray1]

I'm with ovrszd if it's working with no problems just use it.

 

[Deere Dude]

If left the way it is, it will bend much easier and faster than if it was straight. I would take it off and find a shop to straighten it out but I had very good luck using a log splitter with a big chunk of angle iron as a backstop to straighten that stuff out.

 

[ovrszd]

To bend it farther one of two things must happen.

1. An outside object presses on it such as pushing it up against a tree or some immoveable object.

2. Putting the FEL in a situation where forces are exerted on the cylinder beyond it's hydraulic capability. This could be done by backdragging with the front tires of the tractor off the ground and moving in reverse. Or using a tree puller or grapple clamping onto an immoveable object with the attachment rolled forward and moving the tractor rearward.

If these outside forces are never applied it won't bend any farther. Outside forces were involved to bend it the first time. The cylinder, thru it's hydraulics, didn't do that.

 

[Arc weld]

It looks like either a poor design or not a heavy enough tube was used. I think it could be straightened fairly easily as it looks like the tube has the bend and not the cylinder. If the cylinder were taken off and the end of the tubing put on a block and a block also used under the cylinder maybe 1/2 way, then pressing on the end of the cylinder where it is capped would likely straighten the tube 5mm. The cap end of the cylinder is the strongest part of the cylinder.

 

[bigdeano]

With a long extension on the cylinder like that it's going to buckle easily under a compressive load.

Just put it in a press with a couple of wood blocks a couple feet apart and push at the end of the cylinder. It will bend right back to straight.

 

[ovrszd]

With a long extension on the cylinder like that it's going to buckle easily under a compressive load.

Just put it in a press with a couple of wood blocks a couple feet apart and push at the end of the cylinder. It will bend right back to straight.

That was the point I was making.

What circumstances put a compressive load on a curl cylinder?

 

[countrybumpkin]

That was the point I was making. What circumstances put a compressive load on a curl cylinder?

Back dragging with the bucket would be the big one that I can think of right off hand.

 

[ovrszd]

Back dragging with the bucket would be the big one that I can think of right off hand.

Yep.

Then add an attachment such as a Grapple or Tree Puller and the chances of that compression multiply dramatically. For example, tip the tree puller forward, clamp onto a tree and then move backward to try to pull it. The tree starts leaning toward the tractor and causing the puller to roll back. Many times more compression force than the hydraulic cylinder is capable of generating. I bent a cylinder on my previous L4400 doing that very thing. Very disappointed in myself for not realizing what forces I was exerting on the FEL.