HELP! Bent Hydraulics ARM on M7040

[Doug_D]

I was grading my driveway this evening when I heard what sounded like a popping noise. I stopped and pulled the FEL up. Everything seems fine until I tried to curl the bucket down. I could curl it up, but I could not curl it down! What the heck? I looked all over for something bent or jammed in there, but nothing. I ended up sticking the bucket lip under a log and using the lift arms slightly I was able to get it to curl down. Once I got it back down I jumped out and looked. Clear as day; both hydraulics arms are bent! I am sick to my stomach. Tractor is a 2007 M7040 with 196 hours on it.

Doug

 

[kennyd]

Where you back-dragging with the cutting edge of the bucket straight down? Or traveling forward?

 

[Doug_D]

Yes, I was back dragging. I really am in awe over this.

 

[tydp]

Yes, I was back dragging. I really am in awe over this.

That put's a tremendous amount of stress on the curl cylinders. My Bushhog M446 manual specifically says NOT to back drag in this manner. Expensive lesson, unfortunately.

 

[Doug_D]

I have done this for years with my Ford with out a problem. The kubota even has float\detent, but I was not using it. Maybe next time I will. I think I had my bucket rolled out too much, but still nothing I have not asked of my old ford.

Anyone know of a good source for hydraulics on the web? I am going to have to replace both of these.

Live and learn.

 

[dodge man]

I back drag with my BX2350 all the time. At times I work around construction equipment, and they always back drag with the buckets on the regular TLB's all the time. I can't imagine hurting anything unless you were going pretty fast, and hit something solid. I guess with my BX2350, if I do hit something, the tractor is light enough it just picks up the front end a little, maybe with a larger M, that is not the case. Did you hit something going forward at all? One thing I try to do is have the bucket lip down just a little bit, in other words, not at full dump.

 

[HCJtractor]

Sorry to hear of you damage! Let us know the outcome. As a new owner of a FEL on a similar size tractor (M6800), could someone give some advice on what things to avoid when using it. In other words, what tasks are risky and have potential to cause damage? I mainly use my grapple so please offer advice on both bucket and grapple use. How common is it to do damage to the cylinders or loader arms? Maybe we can all learn from your misfortune!

 

[KeithInSpace]

I back drag with my BX2350 all the time.

As have I with my BX2230. I've gone all the way to the point of doing REALLY stupid things (bucket in full dump being used as a plow, for example) without crossing that line, but I've used the bucket to backdrag EVERYTHING...and in most every position...pointed down, up, flat, etc. You're right, perhaps, that the tractor is light enough that it just picks up the front end.

 

[m7040]

What to also avoid is pushing with the bucket curled. It blew a hose for the curl cylinder on the M7040. When pushing keep the bucket level to not destroy hoses

 

[Doug_D]

Good news! I was able to bend them back in shape with a little help from the guys over in the hydraulic discussion board. I wanted to post my solution so if anyone else has this problem...there is hope

Bent-hydraulic-cylinders-now-what.html

Now I can get back to my real project...
www.cabinstartup.com

Thanks for the help guys.

Doug