Bent Loader Rod (Mahindra 2545)

[pripyat]

I did something dumb, put too much load on my loader with the cylinders fully extended. I bent both of the lifting cylinders, to the point that they are spewing oil around the seals when they retract. What are my options here? I was going to see if I could get a generic cylinder replacement but everything seems to be standard, not metric. There isn't a Mahindra dealership within an hour of my house, I live in the middle of nowhere. I can get the cylinder apart - I have access to a press, vise, heat source, welder, etc. I planned to do as much of the work myself as possible, I tend to not trust others to work on my stuff. Thoughts/Ideas?

Measurements I was able to get without the cylinders pulled -
Rod Diameter - 30mm
Barrel OD - 60mm
Retracted Length - ~775mm
Width of the mounts - ~90mm

I'll pull the cylinders in the next couple days, I'm just looking for suggestions on next steps. Thanks in advance!

 

[ptsg]

I imagine that it might have damage the gland, possibly even cracked it.

A lot of people have been replacing their bent cylinders with these Magister ones. Loader Hydraulic Cylinders | Magister Hydraulics

This one seems to be very close but you would have to get some measurements to confirm if it will work. 2 bore x 22.75 stroke hydraulic cylinder, welded loader double acting cylinder | Magister Hydraulics

It does have a 32 mm rod which is stronger and would mean slightly less curl force but probably not even noticeable in real world use.

 

[WranglerX]

Check to see if you have local hydraulic repair shop, even if you don't trust others doing your work at least get opinion if the cylinders are at least repairable.....

 

[Dman1981]

I have straightened many rods just don't do it when it is really cold have a tendency to snap

 

[pripyat]

I imagine that it might have damage the gland, possibly even cracked it.

A lot of people have been replacing their bent cylinders with these Magister ones. Loader Hydraulic Cylinders | Magister Hydraulics

This one seems to be very close but you would have to get some measurements to confirm if it will work. 2 bore x 22.75 stroke hydraulic cylinder, welded loader double acting cylinder | Magister Hydraulics

It does have a 32 mm rod which is stronger and would mean slightly less curl force but probably not even noticeable in real world use.

Wow, thanks a lot! I was a bit overwhelmed by all the options and the fact that all my measurements were dead nuts metric values yet everything I saw online were in inches. I believe if the pin diameter is correct, I can make the one you linked work.

 

[ptsg]

Wow, thanks a lot! I was a bit overwhelmed by all the options and the fact that all my measurements were dead nuts metric values yet everything I saw online were in inches. I believe if the pin diameter is correct, I can make the one you linked work.

Great news! Even though they list the sizes in inches, I'm pretty sure the cylinders are metric. I believe they are made in Ukraine but could be wrong.

Just noticed your picture now. Doesn't look too bad to get the original ones straightened. Might be another option to keep in mind.

 

[pripyat]

Welp. I was trying to get the cylinder apart, air compressor wouldn't extend the cylinder with the cap on. So, I took the cap loose and now air won't move the cylinder with the cap off. I'm scared if I use the tractor hydraulics to get the rod out with that much pressure between the threads and the rod, I'll damage the rod. Idk how I would ever be able to get the cap back on, I was able to get it out by hitting the end of the rod with a sledgehammer in the opposite direction of the threads while pulling on the cap with my other hand. The other cylinder I guess I'll extend before I pull the cap..
[edit] Also - There is nothing on the Magister Hydraulics page that has a 1" pin diameter.. :|

 

[arrow]

Welp. I was trying to get the cylinder apart, air compressor wouldn't extend the cylinder with the cap on. So, I took the cap loose and now air won't move the cylinder with the cap off. I'm scared if I use the tractor hydraulics to get the rod out with that much pressure between the threads and the rod, I'll damage the rod. Idk how I would ever be able to get the cap back on, I was able to get it out by hitting the end of the rod with a sledgehammer in the opposite direction of the threads while pulling on the cap with my other hand. The other cylinder I guess I'll extend before I pull the cap..
[edit] Also - There is nothing on the Magister Hydraulics page that has a 1" pin diameter.. :|

I'd just buy two new cylinders and save yourself some stress which may be more costly than two new cylinders.

 

[pripyat]

I'd just buy two new cylinders and save yourself some stress which may be more costly than two new cylinders.

Two new cylinders are $1500 not including tax, plus wait time..

 

[ptsg]

I'm pretty sure the Magister cylinders are metric even though they list all the dimensions in inches. The ends of the cylinders should be 25 mm. What is diameter of the pins on the Mahindra ones? 1" is 25.4 mm, so I could see how 25 mm could be misread as 1".

Might be worth to send an email to Magister to confirm those dimensions.

 

[thclimer]

Here is a video which shows what you are dealing with:

If you can't get the rod/piston out I've seen people use a come along winch to pull them out.

 

[pripyat]

I'm pretty sure the Magister cylinders are metric even though they list all the dimensions in inches. The ends of the cylinders should be 25 mm. What is diameter of the pins on the Mahindra ones? 1" is 25.4 mm, so I could see how 25 mm could be misread as 1".

Might be worth to send an email to Magister to confirm those dimensions.

The pins are 25mm, there are only 2 cylinders on the Magister site with 1" pin holes, Actually.. This one may be close (1.75 bore x 18 stroke hydraulic cylinder, welded loader double acting cylinder | Magister Hydraulics), I need a measurement for the extended length of my existing cylinders, though. [edit] I just noticed that the rod diameter of that cylinder is only 1", my existing rods are 29mm. I may end up needing a sleeve to fit over the pins, so I can run the larger rod diameter with the larger pin hole.. That would be interesting, the surface between the pin and the sleeve would be greased by the pin, the surface between the cylinder and the sleeve would be greased by the zerk fitting on the cylinder.

 

[arrow]

Two new cylinders are $1500 not including tax, plus wait time..

From Mahindra Probably.
There Must be an aftermarket someplace that would work.
Did you try Northern Products or Agri Supply?

 

[pripyat]

So I got the one cap off but I was then scared to extend the rod with it pressed up against the threads on the barrel. I drove my truck on the cylinder and was able to get the cap slid back into the barrel enough to protect the rod from the threads. I hooked it up to the tractor to get the cylinders back extended. I pulled both caps and rods and have them sitting in the garage. There is a hydraulics shop 45 minutes away that said they would charge an hour shop labor each to straighten them. So $200ish may get me back to where I was before I learned not to reverse the tractor with the bucket fully raised, caught on a limb. DOH! If they can't straighten them I'll probably just order the Magister ones and get a sleeve to get the extra 1/4" diameter I need for the pin hole. Also I'll look a little harder and check northern tool, agri supply, etc.

 

[LD1]

Curious of any follow up? Was the local shop able to straighten the rods?

 

[pripyat]

I called them yesterday. They have had them for going on 20 days, they said that the would get to them the following week. They still haven't even looked at them. Said they might have time today. If they haven't looked at them by Monday I'll probably just order the ones from Magister.

 

[adamCL-450]

I did something dumb, put too much load on my loader with the cylinders fully extended. I bent both of the lifting cylinders, to the point that they are spewing oil around the seals when they retract. What are my options here? I was going to see if I could get a generic cylinder replacement but everything seems to be standard, not metric. There isn't a Mahindra dealership within an hour of my house, I live in the middle of nowhere. I can get the cylinder apart - I have access to a press, vise, heat source, welder, etc. I planned to do as much of the work myself as possible, I tend to not trust others to work on my stuff. Thoughts/Ideas?

Measurements I was able to get without the cylinders pulled -
Rod Diameter - 30mm
Barrel OD - 60mm
Retracted Length - ~775mm
Width of the mounts - ~90mm

I'll pull the cylinders in the next couple days, I'm just looking for suggestions on next steps. Thanks in advance!

I would just replace them, it is cheaper than using original parts, I have done this a couple of times, works out well, I usually go a little larger than the original cylinders, I have used Northern Hydraulics but there are many companies that carry cylinders, you might have to modify them to fit but that is part of the fun!

 

[BillC72]

Surplus Center has about the best selection and pricing on cylinders. You should be able to find d a suitable set and maybe even gain some power out of the repair.

 

[Dman1981]

The domino effect

 

[pripyat]

I finally got my cylinders, the shop was like 2 weeks late but overall I'm happy with the result. The hydraulics shop said that the material the rods were made from was very soft, so soft that the press actually put indentions into the rods. They polished those areas after straightening and said they didn't think these marks would have any ill effect long-term. They said to definitely replace the cylinders if I bend them again with better ones. I think if it happens again, I'm going to just buy a cylinder with the correct stroke and larger diameter rod, then have a welding shop weld my rod and barrel ends onto the new cylinder. Assuming the ends are still good.. Anyway, for $120 both cylinders have been straightened and I have the tractor put back together. Thanks for all the input!

Oh yeah.. I was wondering what would happen if I drilled out the tiny holes at the inlet/outlet of the cylinder barrel? Seems crazy to use big hydraulic hose then force it through such a tiny orifice.