Cylinder Safety Stops

[shooterdon]

I want to use my FEL to lift stuff like a mower and Kawasaki Mule to perform maintenance. I have searched for cylinder stops and they cost about $100 which seems a bit expensive for a couple of lengths of steel and pins.

The ones I found were on Tractor Mikes and was wondering if there are any other suppliers...or does someone have another idea for safely keeping the loader arms up while working on equipment.

Can I just zip tie angle iron on top of the cylinder shafts?

 

[ericm979]

That's what my dealer does.

 

[WranglerX]

I want to use my FEL to lift stuff like a mower and Kawasaki Mule to perform maintenance. I have searched for cylinder stops and they cost about $100 which seems a bit expensive for a couple of lengths of steel and pins.

The ones I found were on Tractor Mikes and was wondering if there are any other suppliers...or does someone have another idea for safely keeping the loader arms up while working on equipment.

Can I just zip tie angle iron on top of the cylinder shafts?

If you are absolutely sure zip ties keep angle irons solidly in place....

 

[Midniteoyl]

I want to use my FEL to lift stuff like a mower and Kawasaki Mule to perform maintenance. I have searched for cylinder stops and they cost about $100 which seems a bit expensive for a couple of lengths of steel and pins.

The ones I found were on Tractor Mikes and was wondering if there are any other suppliers...or does someone have another idea for safely keeping the loader arms up while working on equipment.

Can I just zip tie angle iron on top of the cylinder shafts?

Seems most people use angle iron, or U-channel if you have some. Paint them some really garish high contrasting color so you dont forget them.

 

[CoyPatton]

I have seen guys get fancy with pieces of angle iron and build pieces for the ends to lock them in place. Cups on the cylinder end with notches to go around rod, and pieces to secure into the rod brackets at the other end. I would still add something like zip ties to add extra precaution

 

[BravoXray]

Here is what I made for a safety prop for the FEL on my BX2230.
Some 1 1/2" square tube, a 1" flat washer, and an 1 1/2" shaft collar were used, all of which I had on hand. Made two, one for myself, and one for my friend that also has a 2230.

 

[CoyPatton]

Here is what I made for a safety prop for the FEL on my BX2230.
Some 1 1/2" square tube, a 1" flat washer, and an 1 1/2" shaft collar were used, all of which I had on hand. Made two, one for myself, and one for my friend that also has a 2230.

Nice job!

 

[Smokeydog]

OEM prop has a rubber bumper to protect the cylinder rod. Doesn’t take much to nick that chrome.

The bumper is rubber plug type that fits a drilled hole. Source might be rubber feet from discarded appliances. Or rubber strips glued.

 

[Tinhack]

This is a timely post. I need to make new ones since I replaced all the cylinders on my FEL. The rods are larger. I like the square tube tool made by BravoXray. And I'm just **** enough to add rubber padding.

 

[PILOON]

I recently needed to do some repairs on my CUT's hydraulics and it called for the FEL to remain elevated.
Simple old bed spring angle stock worked out just fine for the task.
Fortunately the angle ends cleared any delicate areas (seals etc.) and made contact with solid metal.
I had contemplated slitting washers and welding onto the angle ends B4 I did a trial fit.

On the positive side, I replaced the seals on my C/S driven hydraulic pump and I no longer have FEL leak down, it remains elevated for days now. (B4 I had believed the leak down was a valve issue that I had learned to live with)

 

[BravoXray]

Nice job!

Thanks!

 

[BravoXray]

This is a timely post. I need to make new ones since I replaced all the cylinders on my FEL. The rods are larger. I like the square tube tool made by BravoXray. And I'm just **** enough to add rubber padding.

It's not ****, it's detail oriented.

 

[RickB]

If you are absolutely sure zip ties keep angle irons solidly in place....

The weight of the loader keeps the angle irons in place. 26 years at dealerships, all use angle iron loader supports. Zip ties, electrical tape, nothing at all. Never seen a support move when the weight of the loader is trapping it in place.

 

[shooterdon]

The weight of the loader keeps the angle irons in place. 26 years at dealerships, all use angle iron loader supports. Zip ties, electrical tape, nothing at all. Never seen a support move when the weight of the loader is trapping it in place.

I believe you...but no harm in making sure. I see the commercial units use pins to retain the stops.

 

[TractorGuy]

My backhoe came with the fancy u channel version.

I have used a 2x4 on my JD. Cut to length and stuck in into the pocket for the rod end and lowered the loader on it with engine off. No way for it to move until you start the engine and raise the loader.

 

[RickB]

I believe you...but no harm in making sure. I see the commercial units use pins to retain the stops.

Those little pins are there to hold the props in place till the weight is applied. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[azbinder]

Used to use angle iron with a plate to it and then notched out to rest against the cylinder head, (as most are aluminium) and then held in place with worm type hose clamp.

 

[PILOON]

At one point I used a 2 x 4 t prop up my FEL.
An hour later that 2 x 4 was bent to the breaking point.

As I mentioned earlier a length of old bed spring angle stock made for a fine FEL prop.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I believe you...but no harm in making sure. I see the commercial units use pins to retain the stops.

Because it's commercial there are liability claims to think about.

 

[Big Barn]

I make my own...

For FEL have something like that welded on each end of an appropriate length of angle iron.