2520 Backhoe with leaky cylinders

[JDCAN]

I was able to get my 2520 with backhoe to dealership today for the 50 hour service and fix the hydro leak it sprung right away.

Upon further inspection it turns out 4 out of 5 cylinders on the backhoe have also started to leak. The service guy told me once they start to leak they replace them outright. He also noted each cylinder runs around $600 a piece. 5 x 600 seems like alot. As a first time owner I was pretty bummed to see such major leaks on the backhoe this early into ownership.

The service guy told me he thinks John Deere has made an on going change to the seals on the backhoe cylinders. 50 hours in and all 5 cylinders are being replaced and fix the hydro leak. I hope the change John Deere has made to the seals are much better, it would be terrible if this problem keeps happening.

I understand chit can happen and thank god for warranty, but if these cylinders become an ongoing problem that would really suck.

I think for the money the backhoe cost, it should not be leaking this early.

Anyone else with a backhoe and logged some hours noticed any leaking? If so get them replaced ASAP.

I will post more information as I get it.

Cheers.

 

[ducati996]

I was able to get my 2520 with backhoe to dealership today for the 50 hour service and fix the hydro leak it sprung right away.

Upon further inspection it turns out 4 out of 5 cylinders on the backhoe have also started to leak. The service guy told me once they start to leak they replace them outright. He also noted each cylinder runs around $600 a piece. 5 x 600 seems like alot. As a first time owner I was pretty bummed to see such major leaks on the backhoe this early into ownership.

The service guy told me he thinks John Deere has made an on going change to the seals on the backhoe cylinders. 50 hours in and all 5 cylinders are being replaced and fix the hydro leak. I hope the change John Deere has made to the seals are much better, it would be terrible if this problem keeps happening.

I understand chit can happen and thank god for warranty, but if these cylinders become an ongoing problem that would really suck.

I think for the money the backhoe cost, it should not be leaking this early.

Anyone else with a backhoe and logged some hours noticed any leaking? If so get them replaced ASAP.

I will post more information as I get it.

Cheers.

You beat all the odds with all cylinders leaking - never heard of that happening with any brand -ever

can you describe the leak a little? how much oil was present and what jobs were you doing with the BH -
Pictures would be great

 

[Chris2520]

54 hours. most of it was backhoe work. mine dont leak
and i hope thay dont start..


Chris....

 

[JDCAN]

I get the rig back tomorrow, after speaking with the service tech, turns out they replaced seals on 5 of the cylinders. The first service guy said all the cylinders would be replaced but turns out new seals was all that is needed.

I would say around 30 hours of backhoe work, digging lines. (Check my past post for some pictures).

The one cylinder actually devolved the leak after sitting for a week, and you could see a build up of fluid on the cylinder. When I pointed it out to the service guy he noted the other cylinders showed signs of leaks that had dried.

Either way I have no reason to make this up, it sucks and like chris2520, I really hope this is not an on going problem. Hopefully mine just had bad seals installed.

Once I get the service work order I will be able to list the seals they replaced.

Don't worry boys the 2520 is still a great machine, I just had some bad luck and hopefully very minor.

 

[ducati996]

Either way I have no reason to make this up, it sucks and like chris2520, I really hope this is not an on going problem. Hopefully mine just had bad seals installed.

Once I get the service work order I will be able to list the seals they replaced.

Don't worry boys the 2520 is still a great machine, I just had some bad luck and hopefully very minor.

Didnt mean to sound like you did - you have a very legitimate issue, I hope it gets resolved fast -

 

[JDCAN]

Repair update.

Got the unit back and according to the service invoice the following was preformed.

50 hour service, change all the fluids etc. ( Normal service )

The Hydro Leak +

Complaint: Hydraulic Oil Leak
Cause: Defective sealing washer
Correction: Diagnose hydro oil leak, clean off area and run unit to locate leak, determine leak off SCV valve at line, remove right wheel to access lines, remove line fitting, check line surfaces, replace sealing washers for line, test and run unit.

The Backhoe Leak

Complaint: Oil leaking from back-hoe Cylinders
Cause: defective seals from factory in boom, dipperstick and left swing cylinders.
Correction: Clean off oil, pressure wash unit, run unit to locate leak at cylinders of back-hoe, determine leaks at three cylinders - boom, dipperstick and left swing cylinder, remove all three cylinders, rebuild all three cylinders, reinstall cylinders, run unit = Parts needed 2 x Seal Kit part # PT8230 & 1 x Seal Kit part # AM127928. Total labour and parts repair $400, good thing warranty covers it, but it will be unpleasant to deal with this issue out of warranty, hopefully it's not a normal problem and just the luck of the draw.

Anyone with a backhoe for a 2520 should always check the cylinders for small leaks, imo anyone with a JD backhoe should keep an eye out on the cylinders for leaks.

 

[friedlake]

Leaks..leaks..leaks.. Just got mine back for the 3rd time..replaced 2 seals and a barrell this time and it seems okay..over the warranty now but they covered it. I have 250hrs on my tractor and probably 150 on the 46...gotta say it can dig pretty good for the size and i have put it to the test this summer digging around foundtions for waterproofing. and trenching for electricians. truly impressed buy what it can do!!for what it costs!

cheers!

 

[klink]

JDCAN

Thanks for posting this interesting thread. I have a 46 backhoe mounted on a JD 4110. I have had no leaks on my 46 to date. I think those cylinders are priced plenty high. I hope they last a long time.
I hope your experience is the exception and not the rule. As a side note, I cut the right foot rest side panel down a little, as my foot was always getting stuck while getting on and off.