Think I Bent My Grapple Cylinder

[wvpolekat]

I think I may have tweaked the cylinder on my grapple.

In the middle of the travel it seems ok, but at either end it seems to bind up. This happens even with the cylinder removed from the grapple. On extend, if I pull I can get it all the way extended.

Visibly, it isn't bent.

A shop that can check it out is an hour away. Replacement cylinder runs about $80.

Is there anything I can do to verify things or should I just buy a new one?

 

[J_J]

Pull the shaft out , and put a straight edge on it in about 4 different places. Maybe check the pins, and lube them.

 

[dfkrug]

Is there anything I can do to verify things or should I just buy a new one?

Once you have determined that the rod is bent (with a straight edge as JJ
suggests), you can straighten it with a press. Or have a shop do it. It
is very easy as long at the rod is not bent too far. I have done it multiple
times.

 

[wvpolekat]

Honestly, I am not equipped to pull it apart. No workbench, vise, any of that.

I am thinking that the best thing to do is to just replace it. By the time I drive to a shop to have it looked at, pay for gas, pay them, I am at the same price as a new one.

I am 99% sure I bent it when I had it on the trailer. I put the strap for the loader over it, but I didn't think I cinched it down hard enough to bend it.