Can this be repaired, modified or improved?

8NLUGNUT · Sep 15, 2008

We have a FEL on a Hinomoto with Cross cylinders. If you take a look at the picture you can see that there is a big gap between the cylinder and the frame mount.

My questions are these.

Is there something that can be placed on the pin to take up slack so the cylinder doesn't wollow around so much?

Can I make some shims of some sort to fill the gap?

Are there spacers made for this?

kennyd · Sep 16, 2008

You can make some bushings out of small pieces of pipe, I would make 2 so the cylinder is centered on the mounting tab.

tommu56 · Sep 16, 2008

just stack an equal number of washers on each side t center it

tommu

KevPH1 · Sep 16, 2008

tommu56 said:
just stack an equal number of washers on each side t center it

tommu

I would add to your suggestion using SAE washers. The O.D. is not as wide as USS washers.

3RRL · Sep 16, 2008

I would check the other end connection too.
Then I would make sure to line up the cylinder(s) so they push and pull in as straight a line as possible in line with the fel arms and shim it accordingly. This is to insure best performance, power, and least amount of wear ... so there is no sideways vector force on pin or mount, or as little as possible.
A little slack is no big deal.

8NLUGNUT · Sep 16, 2008

Thanks guys.

I'll start taking measurements in the morning and report my problems or progress!

8NLUGNUT · Oct 10, 2008

Well I took my measurements and decided that going to Tractor Supply and buying a bunch of washers by the pound would work.

I ended up getting two washers on each side of the cylinder ends and the FEL tightened up real good.

I put axle grease on each side of the washers and on the pins.

I took the tractor on a ride around the foodplot making sure to hit as many gofer mounds as possible and the FEL was riding a lot quieter and not wobbling so much so I was very happy with the results.

Yesterday we used the bucket to stretch some barbwire around the big hog trap to keep them from digging out and the reduced left to right slop was really nice.

Total time spent on the actual install was less than an hour.

Cost of materials was around $10.00 for the washers.

Thanks to all for the help!

sandman2234 · Oct 12, 2008

Getting rid of excess play is always nice, but do take note of 3RRL's mention that a little play is ok. If you remove ALL of the play, and the loader isn't exactly lined up, or moves a little, it puts an enormous amount of pressure on the ears of the cylinder which will cause a failure that you won't fix for $10. If you have no slack at all, remove one washer or install a thinner one instead.
David from jax

8NLUGNUT · Oct 12, 2008

sandman2234 said:
Getting rid of excess play is always nice, but do take note of 3RRL's mention that a little play is ok. If you remove ALL of the play, and the loader isn't exactly lined up, or moves a little, it puts an enormous amount of pressure on the ears of the cylinder which will cause a failure that you won't fix for $10. If you have no slack at all, remove one washer or install a thinner one instead.
David from jax

Hummm? I need to recheck my work.

I know I had one that ended up with very little play.

kmarchin · Oct 13, 2008

Min-excavators use a shim like you would need.
As buckets wear they shim between the boom and bucket.
I'd start by looking at small machines such as a Yanmar-08 or 15 series.