Older Ford Skid Steer Looking for info and help

[mpilihp]

Hello I bought an older Ford skid steer the seller said it was a 370 model but has 340 painted on the side. It was also re-powered by a Ford 4 cylinder LQ motor as well so thats different.

It has a bad wheel bearing so that needs to be fixed and was hoping someone here could help on how to remove/replace it, how to identify what I need for a bearing and where i can buy one? Im thinking it should be a standard bearing and i could bring it in to NAPA and buy one from them but I do not know.

The seller also stated the left drive is free flow hydro motor and so you need to start moving it with the right hand lever and once it starts to move then engage the left motor drive lever. When he drove it it moved smooth and easy but when I drove it, it was like a bucking bronco so appears its got a steep learning curve to drive it for me.

Thank You

Phil

 

[Sonny580]

The bearing should be standard issue and quite common. As for the way you describe the way it operates----JUNK that thing before you tear up something with it!!!!
NO skidloader should need to be run that way and I would say it has major hyd. problems in the hydro's on it!
I run New-Hollands myself and they are great machines. mine are old ones too --- L-775, L778, L-781 and all of them work good.
I never was around fords, but never heard of this problem ever on them!

 

[mpilihp]

Yeah I played around with it yesterday and I think i've been had. It works fine at low speeds but rev the engine up and it bucks no matter what, its not HOW you drive it.

I've been googling this problem and it could be air in the lines, a leak allow pump to suck air in, could be a blocked filter/strainer and could be wrong fluid. I've discovered this thing should have motor oil in it instead of hydraulic fluid, weird.... So more to come Ill fix the bearing to start and then try a fluid flush and filter and look for leaks where it could suck air.

THanks Phil

 

[shaeff]

Yeah I played around with it yesterday and I think i've been had. It works fine at low speeds but rev the engine up and it bucks no matter what, its not HOW you drive it.

I've been googling this problem and it could be air in the lines, a leak allow pump to suck air in, could be a blocked filter/strainer and could be wrong fluid. I've discovered this thing should have motor oil in it instead of hydraulic fluid, weird.... So more to come Ill fix the bearing to start and then try a fluid flush and filter and look for leaks where it could suck air.

THanks Phil

The motor oil in place of hydraulic oil isn't as weird as you think, especially on these older machines. I've got a JLG LJ500 mini stand-on skid steer that uses motor oil for the hydraulics, too. It had hyd. oil in it and it was UNGODLY slow. Changed it out, machine operates much better and is actually quicker, too.

 

[mpilihp]

Hi thanks, yes I have found many posts that talk about the use of motor oil for hydraulic fluid. So I finally found the make/model tag on the thing and its a Ford 340, I can find a lot about For CL20, 30 and 40 models but not a 340. I am going to assume it also take 10w30 motor oil and change it and the filter after I repair the wheel bearing. I managed to tear into it today and can see how its set up inside for the drive. Its not like some I saw when I watched youtube videos on people changing the bearing. There doesn't appear to be an easy way to loosen the chain to slip it off so Im assuming there is a removable link in it. Im hoping I can take the axle and whats left of the bearing to NAPA and they can set up up with a new bearing.

If I do have an issue with a drive motor, does anyone know of a place that rebuilds them? Thank You

Phil

 

[Sonny580]

If you are working in the final drive case-----then ya connecting link for chain after you loosen the tightner---no slip over on these.
On the oil----check for sure wheather it needs detergent or non-detergent in it!--I have had older systems requiring non-detergent motor oil of the correct weight.

 

[Sonny580]

Look to Herman Manufacturing for Erickson Skid Steer Axles when needing replacement parts. In the past, we've manufactured these axles for an Erickson aftermarket parts distributor, but now we've made them available directly to you! We have 4 replacement parts in stock for immediate shipping! Erickson Axle Parts: ERK-26211 ERK-26100 ERK-26190

I found this on the ford loaders----NOT fords but made by Ericson mfg. in Minneapolis ---- company is kinda a well kept secret and not much is known about them.
Looks like they are real prone to breaking axles too!
dont know if this will help you any but I tried!

 

[mpilihp]

Look to Herman Manufacturing for Erickson Skid Steer Axles when needing replacement parts. In the past, we've manufactured these axles for an Erickson aftermarket parts distributor, but now we've made them available directly to you! We have 4 replacement parts in stock for immediate shipping! Erickson Axle Parts: ERK-26211 ERK-26100 ERK-26190

I found this on the ford loaders----NOT fords but made by Ericson mfg. in Minneapolis ---- company is kinda a well kept secret and not much is known about them.
Looks like they are real prone to breaking axles too!
dont know if this will help you any but I tried!

Hello Sonny thanks for your comments and info. IVe gotten into it a bit, found that it has drum brakes on the inside of the frame on the front axles. I need to get the proper socket to fit this nut. Ive also ordered a manual for this unit. Thanks for the info that these units were built by Ericson, I will find out what oil it take hopefully from the service manual I ordered. I did discover that the left wheels will spin by hand while the right ones will not and I did not think they should so I suspect an issue with the left motor. Hopefully there is a place that rebuilds them. Are you area of a place that rebuilds motors?

Thank You

Phil

 

[mpilihp]

So I got the axle out tonight but appears you need to press the axle out of the bearing?? The axle will not come out of the mount housing and bearing.

Suggestions??

Thanks

Phil

 

[Sonny580]

left wheels should not spin freely ---- so I think that side is dead. I think there is a place not far from here that works on hydraulic units. Its north of Hudson, Illinois
I think they work on Sunstrand and a few other brands.
Most likely the bearings are pressed on the axles and will require a press to get them off. ---- Depending on how good they look,---I usually just cut them off with the torch and put new ones on. --- I have used a bearing splitter and long bolts to pull them off and sometimes it will get them. --- axle length needs long threaded rods and dont always work but I have taken a few off this way and saved them.

 

[mpilihp]

Hi thanks I have a neighbor with a press so we going to give it a try hopefully tonight.

Can you share the name of the company in Hudson you think rebuilds motors? Also do you know the specs of the motor as they do not look too expensive and I may just bight the bullet and replace both of them. The manual (I just got) indicates they should generator 1750psi in a pressure test and I see some similar geroler motors with 2000psi rating for $348 so I could afford two of those. I just need to get all the specs correct IE shaft size, mounting hole spacing, port sizes and so on..

Thanks Phil

 

[Sonny580]

Are you saying that the loader uses regular hydraulic motors???? All the loaders I have or have been around use a special motor and pump set-up for each side driven thru a miter box that the driveshaft from the engine hooks into.
The repair place in Hudson is called Central Hydraulics.

 

[mpilihp]

Are you saying that the loader uses regular hydraulic motors???? All the loaders I have or have been around use a special motor and pump set-up for each side driven thru a miter box that the driveshaft from the engine hooks into.
The repair place in Hudson is called Central Hydraulics.

So I know NOTHING about hydraulic systems other than than to keep the fluid full and filter/screens changed/cleaned. That said I can see it has two motors one on each side. And the comment geroler motor and PSI rating I read out of the manual for the CL340.

Right now my biggest issue is a wheel bearing, appears the stock one comes premounted in the hub housing and isn't available anymore. I got the shaft out and the bearing parts out of the housing and its an oddly custom shaped bearing. I fear I may be screwed.

So looking for a stock bearing part # ERK43174 if you have a line on someone that may have a Ford parts skid steer Id appreciate it. Looks like same bearing for the other models they sold that were from Erickson.

Thanks

 

[Sonny580]

dont know if these guys can help or not---might be worth a try.( G D equipment in Shippenburg PA 717 530 0170. ) Found this discussion on another forum and everybody owning an Erickson, (ford) model are having a major problem finding axles, bearings and other parts for them.
Bearing # 43174 is also used in new-hollands and from new-holland its right at $500. --- thats as far as I have gotten in my research.

 

[mpilihp]

dont know if these guys can help or not---might be worth a try.( G D equipment in Shippenburg PA 717 530 0170. ) Found this discussion on another forum and everybody owning an Erickson, (ford) model are having a major problem finding axles, bearings and other parts for them.
Bearing # 43174 is also used in new-hollands and from new-holland its right at $500. --- thats as far as I have gotten in my research.

Hi Thanks I will give them a call, having the right part will be way easier than trying to fit a bearing into the housing that isnt the right bearing...

Thanks! Phil

 

[mpilihp]

Hi Sonny580 thanks for the lead they had a used bearing for $75 so its on order. I owe you a beer

 

[Sonny580]

Glad they could help you! --- I know working on oddball stuff can be a real challenge but keep at it! --- gotta be parts somewhere!

 

[mpilihp]

So what your friend has is the right motor, sent him $$, hopefully he can get it in the mail soon, thanks!

 

[mpilihp]

So update on status. I got the wheel bearing in, Ill need to do both front inner bearings eventually but at least it can move without causing any damage now. Ive drained the system oil and cleaned the intake screen, it was terribly clogged so that is probably why it struggled to move under higher rpms. THe pump was probably not getting enough oil to feed it. I have the replacement pump thanks to Sonny580s friend. I am struggling to get the hoses off, have cleaned it and ordered bigger tools.

I just got back from a trip where I hurt my back and now cannot bend myself around to work on it now... Too be continued.

 

[Sonny580]

sorry to hear about your back---that takes the wind out of your sails real fast!
Hoses can be a real bear to get loose and the hard to reach ones even worse. I have 1 on my NH 781 that is 1-1/4 and the only thing that will go in there is a crow-foot open end head, half inch drive. You may need something like that on yours!
Take care of the ole back and stay in touch!