Need Advice - Bent Steering Cylinder (NH TC35A)

[CentralNC]

I would appreciate any help you guys might provide. I was bush hogging early this morning and hit the end of a log that was underneath the grass. I had the steering turned all the way to the left and the tractor throttle was set at about 2400 rpms (PTO 540). The log caught the inside of the wheel and forced the steering to the right. It happen at full speed (Mid Range 2nd Gear), so the steering cylinder bent when the wheel was forced to the right.

I am attaching pictures below. I looked up the price of the cylinder on Messick's website and it listed for about $600. I am not sure whether to attempt to fix it on my own or have it repaired by a professional. The other issue is that I can't tell if anything else is bent or not. It does look like the front wright wheel is toed in a bit now, but it is hard to tell. The steering works fine if I turn to the left, but it obviously can't turn right past the bend in the cylinder. The 4wd still works well and I don't think any of the gears are messed up. I think my momentary lapse in concentration is going to be very expensive.

Any advice on how to approach the problem? What would you do in the same situation?

 

[MikePA]

I'd be surprised if that cylinder can be fixed. Obviously, the rod is bent but you don't know what other internal damage there is. Time to shell out $600, I fear.

 

[Halftrack]

Been there, done that. My mishap was with the TC33 and only bent the left steering cylinder rod,(Super Steer has 2 cylinders). Took it off and finally got it apart at the dealers shop and decided to go with a new complete cylinder, mainly because we buggered up the old one getting it apart. Take it off and see if it will unscrew and look inside the cylinder for damage. Odds are it is scarred and needs to be replaced. If not, consider just the rod and maybe a new inner seal. If you have a hydraulic cylinder repair shop in the neighborhood, they will usually give estimates for that type of repair. If it doesn't unscrew easily, let the repair shop examine it before you force a total replacement. When you put it back together, consider replacing the power steering filter and fluid, if it is separate from the rest of the hydraulics. It will take a while to bleed the air out of the cylinder, raise the front axle off the ground and work it back and forth until it seems solid and free of air. Good Luck!!!

 

[Jesse masterson]

I straightened my swing cylinder on my backhoe with my 35 ton log splitter! Knotched out a v in half in plate for the blade of the splitter to set in , welded a plate to it to it with a pipe cut lenth wise to cradle the cylinder to and used as if I was splitting a log! Still using it and it don't leak

 

[pmsmechanic]

I bent the steering cylinder on my 4410. Not as bad as yours but it was bent. I didn't even take it off. I used a piece of 2x4 to protect the cylinder rod and bent it straight with a long bar. That was two years ago. No leaks yet.

I have also replaced a ball joint on a cylinder rod by extending it all the way out and welding a new one on. I didn't remove it from the tractor either.

Sometimes a hydraulic shop or a machine shop can make parts for less money than new.

Good luck.

 

[CentralNC]

I appreciate all the advice and comments. I wish I could bend it back and keep going, but the seals are leaking a bit of steering fluid. I did take some pictures over to a local hydraulic shop. They said they repair cylinders all the time. They suggested I bring it in for a quote. They think it will take 2 hours of machining (2 x $80), plus parts, plus labor to install (1 hour). It will probably be between $300 - $400 for a rebuild.

I had to leave on a trip, but should be back on Friday to take it apart. I hope it can be repaired and save the $200-$250. It just makes you sick to cost yourself $350+ on an "unforced error".

I can't complain about anything else with the TC35A. 600+ hours and very few issues with it at all.

I will keep you updated and post pictures as things progress. Thanks again.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Someone like the surplus center might have a cylinder that would be adaptable. Just a thought.

 

[PILOON]

One of my lift cylinder rods had a deep gash that leaked oil badly.
My local hydraulic shop machined a new rod and installed all new seals gaskets etc and my total cost was less than $150.
The cylinder was about 24" long 2" in dia with a 1" shaft and used a 1" pin at the end.

That is all to say that repair is possible and much less costly than replacement. Also new parts are not available for my tractor so I would have needed to replace both sides.

Find a good hydraulic machine shop!

 

[CentralNC]

I thought I would give you guys an update on the bent steering cylinder. A new (remanufactured) cylinder from a NH dealership would have been almost $600 after I returned the old cylinder and recouped the $100 core charge. I found a local hydraulic shop that would machine a new internal shaft and rebuild all the seals. The total cost is about $400. This includes 2 hours of machining at $80/hr and a $95 labor charge for the rebuild. Add the internal gaskets, plus a bit of shipping and tax .... ~$410. I went ahead and had them rebuild the cylinder vs. buying a new one. It should be ready on Monday. I will miss my chance to use the tractor over the 4th of July, but my wife says that might be a good thing.

I have never used one of these hydraulic shops before, so I will add a few comments. The fact that the shop did not have the 18 mm shaft in stock probably added an extra $40-$50 to the fee. if I was getting a simple rebuild vs. have a new part machined ... the bill would have been about $150-$200 including tax. Much cheaper than buying a new one.

I will post pictures when I get it back and get it installed. I hate spending $400 on a self-inflicted wound, but hopefully I can get it fixed in about a week. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[dave1949]

$600 is at least twice what I would have guessed a replacement PS cylinder costs.

If $400 is your worst self-inflicted wound, you are doing well. :laughing: