Bucket cylinder bent rod

Leejohn · Jul 5, 2021

Unclewilley said:
I have a Massey Ferguson 1742 tractor with DL125 FEL. Bent the cylinder rod in one of a FEL bucket cylinders (AGAIN!!!). The bucket cylinder was previously replaced by a dealer using an ACGO part # AL60006622 ($1,174 - part $835, labor $245 plus tax). The replacement cylinder was not an exact replacement but did fit. Not sure I'm up to trying to replace the cylinder rod??

Any recommendations regarding non-oem cylinders?

Any help appreciated!!!

My god man they see you coming before you even got out of your drive way.

Unclewilley · Jul 5, 2021

RickB said:
It's a pretty safe bet somebody built that loader for Massey. Quicke, Ansung, KMW, somebody. Find out who and you might knock 50% off your cost. Or see if you have a good hydraulics shop anywhere near you. If so they can build/fix/supply what you need from a new rod and seal kit to a complete cylinder.
Bailey Hydraulics, Baum Iron and Surplus Center are worth checking for generic cylinders.

$245 labor to change one loader cylinder? Did you go to the hospital and get a rape kit afterwards?

Thanks for the reply.

Unclewilley · Jul 5, 2021

Based on replies to my it seems clear I need to get remedial training on how NOT to use my tractor/bucket!!

I've been clearing a section of woods, 1st screw up was lifting a log and rolling bucket too far. Log rolled on cylinder rod, bent, my bad!! Latest problem, yes I was abusing the bucket, dragging on brush, small trees. Although apparently a "no-no", the original bucker cylinder was fine, it's the new one that bent. The new cylinder is also from the mfg (AGCO) but not exactly the same as the original on the loader.

I'm trying to find a hydraulic shop. Regarding suggesting purchase of aftermarket cylinder, what are opinions of Surpluscenter.com and Magister Hydraulics? Any other aftermarket equipment recommended?

Thanks again!!!!

kwbobwi · Jul 5, 2021

I had a cylinder straightened on a 480 Case and the first time it was used to lift a new bucket for a 330 Cat excavator the straightened rod bent in the same place and the other cylinder gave out about 10 seconds later.

k0ua · Jul 5, 2021

Unclewilley said:
Based on replies to my it seems clear I need to get remedial training on how NOT to use my tractor/bucket!! I've been clearing a section of woods, 1st screw up was lifting a log and rolling bucket too far. Log rolled on cylinder rod, bent, my bad!! Latest problem, yes I was abusing the bucket, dragging on brush, small trees. Although apparently a "no-no", the original bucker cylinder was fine, it's the new one that bent. The new cylinder is also from the mfg (AGCO) but not exactly the same as the original on the loader.

I'm trying to find a hydraulic shop. Regarding suggesting purchase of aftermarket cylinder, what are opinions of Surpluscenter.com and Magister Hydraulics? Any other aftermarket equipment recommended?

Thanks again!!!!

Well, here is the deal, the log rolling over on and bending the cylinder was kind of a freak accident thing, You know now not to do that. And besides a grapple is the proper tool to be picking up logs with. Yeah, I know, you don't have one, but you could have nearly bought one for the price of that cylinder replacement.

As for the back dragging of brush, you now know you got to be really careful doing that, you can get away with it USUALLY, but sometimes if you roll the bucket down too much and you make the bucket so that it won't slip over an immovable object then you know that a bent cylinder ram or even both of them is a possibility. Don't do that no more.

You can use the float position on your joystick allow the bucket to float over the terrain with just the weight of the bucket and the loader arms as the down force. This allows the bucket to float up over something immovable if you hit it. If you don't understand about float, ask some more questions.

As for back-dragging over even small trees, that is never going to have a good outcome. Tractors are amazingly tough, BUT there are some just "silly" things you can do to tear them up. Now you have been there/done that, so don't do that no more.

Unclewilley · Jul 5, 2021

k0ua said:
Well, here is the deal, the log rolling over on and bending the cylinder was kind of a freak accident thing, You know now not to do that. And besides a grapple is the proper tool to be picking up logs with. Yeah, I know, you don't have one, but you could have nearly bought one for the price of that cylinder replacement.

As for the back dragging of brush, you now know you got to be really careful doing that, you can get away with it USUALLY, but sometimes if you roll the bucket down too much and you make the bucket so that it won't slip over an immovable object then you know that a bent cylinder ram or even both of them is a possibility. Don't do that no more.

You can use the float position on your joystick allow the bucket to float over the terrain with just the weight of the bucket and the loader arms as the down force. This allows the bucket to float up over something immovable if you hit it. If you don't understand about float, ask some more questions.

As for back-dragging over even small trees, that is never going to have a good outcome. Tractors are amazingly tough, BUT there are some just "silly" things you can do to tear them up. Now you have been there/done that, so don't do that no more.

Yep, lessons learned the "hard way"!!!

Any thoughts re buying non-OEM parts? I'm sure some are better than others!!! If there is a "heavier duty" that "fits", that would be my preference! Apparently the mfgs "hide" specs on parts trying to get you to purchase OEM. Gave up trying to find part # / specs on the original bucker cylinder. Guess I need to take some measurements of the remaining original cylinder and look for a match. Assuming I find a match (close as possible) would it be best to replace both cylinders so both are exactly the same??

k0ua · Jul 5, 2021

Well, the facts are with my 30 years and 5 different tractor experience, I have never bent a cylinder rod. There for I am no "authority" on replacing cylinders. I do have no doubts that you could have found 2 aftermarket cylinders and replaced them yourself for less money than you paid to have the single cylinder replaced for. Remember also that there are plenty of places that rebuild cylinders for a lot less money. The $200 + for replacement labor was just asinine.

tet68 · Jul 5, 2021

This happened to me a few years back. My cylinder bent almost 45 degrees. Took it in and had it repaired for $500.00, only to find out that I could buy a brand new one for $600.00.. I was digging a French drain with a stump bucket and then dragging the trench in high 1st gear with no problem. The tractor would start to bog down giving me the time to back off. I got side tracked and had put it in low ,it didn't bog down and then it was to late.

Tinhack · Jul 5, 2021

Chromed rod stock is available if you have the machines to work with it. Typically, it's just a mater of cutting to length and threading both ends. Some welding may be needed for some ends. Many hydraulic shops have common sizes in stock. I bent a lift cylinder rod while it was up and carrying a load. Scared me more than anything. I was able to make a new rod the next day.

I had more trouble getting the load off the bucket than doing the repair. I was raising a car lift column onto studs when it bent. They were small cylinders though. I'm in the process of installing larger cylinders now.

4570Man · Jul 5, 2021

k0ua said:
Well, here is the deal, the log rolling over on and bending the cylinder was kind of a freak accident thing, You know now not to do that. And besides a grapple is the proper tool to be picking up logs with. Yeah, I know, you don't have one, but you could have nearly bought one for the price of that cylinder replacement.

As for the back dragging of brush, you now know you got to be really careful doing that, you can get away with it USUALLY, but sometimes if you roll the bucket down too much and you make the bucket so that it won't slip over an immovable object then you know that a bent cylinder ram or even both of them is a possibility. Don't do that no more.

You can use the float position on your joystick allow the bucket to float over the terrain with just the weight of the bucket and the loader arms as the down force. This allows the bucket to float up over something immovable if you hit it. If you don't understand about float, ask some more questions.

As for back-dragging over even small trees, that is never going to have a good outcome. Tractors are amazingly tough, BUT there are some just "silly" things you can do to tear them up. Now you have been there/done that, so don't do that no more.

Back dragging with the bucket at beyond 45 degrees in float or not is still likely to bend the cylinder. Attempting to backdrag brush is pretty much guaranteed to bend something.