Look what I broke today (how does that happen?)

[TSO]

On a grading job today, was opening the bucket to grab a boulder. All of a sudden I see fluid shooting up 15 feet. Figured it was a hose/connection... Then I saw this!

The piston rod actually broke in half!

New complete hydraulic cylinder from Bobcat (it's a Bobcat brand HD combo bucket) is $800 ?!!? At least the piston rod and rebuild kit was less at $325.

This bucket is only a couple years old, Bobcat dealer said he hasn't seen that type of break before. Anyone else have this happen before? Is it just a manufacturing defect with the metal?

 

[topbuilder]

Wicked.

 

[k0ua]

Well now that "sucketh". Gotta believe there was a defect in the steel?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

That is impressive.

 

[MX Dad]

Sure looks like a very clean break. That might suggest defected steel? Dunno, but thats my guess. That does blow. I have never seen that or heard of it myself.

 

[Egon]

I broke one on my 420 loader but it wasn't a defect.

 

[Egon]

I broke one on my 420 loader but it wasn't a defect.

 

[Cataclysm]

Metal grain looks odd where it broke to me.

 

[Apsterbobed]

Years ago I was working on a subdivision and there was a guy with a 50 -> 60 ish HP john deer with a loader and bushhog cutting out one of the roads. His theory was if I can push it over I can mow it. At some point he attempted to push over a dead tree and a good size branch fell and landed on the curl cylinder of the bucket. It snapped the rod off just like yours except it was only an inch or so from the end of the rod (end closest to the pin). He had a guy weld it back together (it didn't need to go into the cylinder) and continued to use it. I haven't seen him in years but I know he was still using it over a year after it was welded. The safety police would have a field day with this guy!

 

[oosik]

If that piston rod were made of concrete - I'd have to say that the break was a cold pour joint. The metal grain DOES look odd at the break. Its as though something went wrong when the rod was manufactured, perhaps when the rod was put thru a tempering process.