Mahindra loaders?

[jleal]

I have a 4500 with a great bend loader and have bent and or broken 4 of the upper bucket tilt cylinders. Mahindra says it is impossible to do. I say it isn't!

Last week when it happened I was backdragging a shallow creek, pulling the mud and weeds out during a dry spell, when I heard a big crack and one of the cylinders arms had bent and cracked in half.

Has this happened to anyone else??

Miami
High Country Stables
Dallas Ga

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I have the same loader and the arm also broke at the same place back draging. I did away with the hollow pipe in the middle and welded plate all around the arm and replace the pipe that it welds on the inside of the arms and does not gop all the way thru. I have broken most of the front end loader parts and re frabricated every thing heavy duty. The metal is very pourous and cheap. Not like american steel.

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

That is to bad for American manufacturing, as 99% of Mahindra loaders, sold here in the United States, are and have been made here in the states, by American companies. I have sold Mahindra's for almost 10 years and have not had and such issues with the Mahindra loaders. That is the honest truth.

 

[jleal]

I guess all the metal is that recycled stuff. Because when you look at the metal it is pourus. The arms on the loader were not pourus just thin. The pipe they had going from one end to the other where the lines lay on top of had some very weird looking metal. I will put photos of the finished job in a few days. I am redoing all the lines now. I welded these plates all around the arm and it holds up good now. I also ran 2 pipes going across instead of one.

 

[jleal]

I believe if you bought an "early" 6000 ("00" series in general) you may have gotten a Great Bend (which was bought out by Bush Hog). I believe KMW started to supply all the loaders in '02 and later. I've had good luck with my KMW but you have to regularly check the frame mount bolts for tightness. If you are planning on getting a Mahindra BH (by Bradco), the frame mounts for the Mahindra bolt up to the frame mounts for the FEL. BobG in VA

I had the same problem with my frame bolts comiong loose. I would use an impact and tighten heck out of them to only come loose. I used lock tite came loose. I used black rtv and they stayed tight except one.

 

[jleal]

Thanks Dave.

I'd agree it seems like an operator thing except for a couple of reasons:
One is since it happened the first time and the local rep mentioned the "over-extension" (why wouldn't they put stops on it to prevent that??) possibility I have been very careful not to do that.

And second how come nobody else has done this and the rep says he has never heard it done? Am I the only person who would "over -extend" cylinders?

That's the thought process anyway. I guess I am a bit bothered by the fact these are not standard cylinders and have to be bought from Mahindra at an exhorbinant cost!

Miami

I guarantee you if my cylinders go out I am not going to get duped into buying more cylinders from who ever they come from. Im going to go to any hydraulic place and change them out with other brand. My dealer in san antonio has gone up quite a bit. Oil filters for instance 25.00 dollars from 15. Well I found a place that sells all types of filters and matched one up for 5. I can go on and on with changing stuff out with cheaper priced stuff.

 

[jleal]

While everyone does it, backdragging is not recommended is generally is considered abuse. The 'over-extention' comment is very likely related specifically to the action of backdragging, but having the bucket in that same position while lifted into the air is required to empty the bucket. So while the bucket position my be the same, the backdragging creates a substantial amount of stress on the loader and that that is why you are bending the cylinders

Many people have bend their cyliders while backdragging but the term 'over-extended' may not have been used. The effect is the same. If you backdrag you better be careful.

Well I learned something on back draging being hard on front end loaders. I guess thats why I broke my arms right in half. Well they work fine now after refrabricating the arms and I also changed the bucket out to a skidsteer type.

 

[jleal]

[ Many people have bend their cyliders while backdragging but the term 'over-extended' may not have been used. The effect is the same. If you backdrag you better be careful.

Thanks for the reply. I still think others would have done the same thing. I even asked the rep about back dragging the first time it happened and both he and Mahindra told me it 'should be no problem'.

Again thanks for the comments.

Miami[/QUOTE]

Skidsteer loaders are used everyday in construction or putting the finishing touch of topsoil on yards. Back draging is a way to give it a good finish. I have never tore up a skidsteer loader like I have this farm tractor loader. Is back draging really abuse on a loader? We may never know.

 

[jleal]

Dave, I understood your explanation quite well. What I don't understand is why anyone would buy such an expensive piece of equipment, and be too cheap with their time in reading the instruction manual. My KMW loader manual specifically warns not to back drag at greater than 15 degrees. Damage is not warrantable, as it is considered abuse.

I also don't understand how people get the idea they are supposed to back drag with front wheels off the ground, and the loader tilted in dump position. Ignorance, or apathy, or both, I guess.

Bob

Thats true. When you back drag you back drag to spread or rake up stuff and do not need a lot of force or wheels off the ground like you said. Okay! Im learning now.

 

[dennis52]

Can anyone explain why leveling or back draging with a four in one bucket clamped onto a four in one leveling bar implement places a more acceptable load on the arms than back draging with the bucket alone.

 

[rback33]

Damaging your cylinders while back dragging will never be covered by warranty. It specifially tells you the proper procedure for back dragging in all loader manuals on loaders manufactured by either Great Bend or KMW.

 

[rback33]

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I have the same loader and the arm also broke at the same place back draging. I did away with the hollow pipe in the middle and welded plate all around the arm and replace the pipe that it welds on the inside of the arms and does not gop all the way thru. I have broken most of the front end loader parts and re frabricated every thing heavy duty. The metal is very pourous and cheap. Not like american steel.

I guess all the metal is that recycled stuff. Because when you look at the metal it is pourus. The arms on the loader were not pourus just thin. The pipe they had going from one end to the other where the lines lay on top of had some very weird looking metal. I will put photos of the finished job in a few days. I am redoing all the lines now. I welded these plates all around the arm and it holds up good now. I also ran 2 pipes going across instead of one.

I am confused. Your first quoted post does not match the pics in the second. Someone has SEVERELY abused that loader and tractor in the second post. It has been rebuilt beyond recognition. You say you have a GB built loader on a 4500 and that is clearly not the case in the pics. I have been in this business a long time and have NEVEr seen a loader destroyed like the one in your pics.

 

[AchingBack]

I am confused. Your first quoted post does not match the pics in the second. Someone has SEVERELY abused that loader and tractor in the second post. It has been rebuilt beyond recognition. You say you have a GB built loader on a 4500 and that is clearly not the case in the pics. I have been in this business a long time and have NEVEr seen a loader destroyed like the one in your pics.

It looks like a 2615 with the 106 loader - not a 4500. Also, the modifications make me wonder it one would ever be able to remove the loader according to manufacturer's instructions.

 

[AchingBack]

I had the same problem with my frame bolts comiong loose. I would use an impact and tighten heck out of them to only come loose. I used lock tite came loose. I used black rtv and they stayed tight except one.

jleal, my guess is you don't have an owners manual with torque specs. You do not use an impact wrench to tighten frame bolts. A torque wrench is the correct tool.

 

[rback33]

It looks like a 2615 with the 106 loader - not a 4500. Also, the modifications make me wonder it one would ever be able to remove the loader according to manufacturer's instructions.

I think you are correct. It appears that someone needs a bulldozer or something...

 

[jleal]

I am confused. Your first quoted post does not match the pics in the second. Someone has SEVERELY abused that loader and tractor in the second post. It has been rebuilt beyond recognition. You say you have a GB built loader on a 4500 and that is clearly not the case in the pics. I have been in this business a long time and have NEVEr seen a loader destroyed like the one in your pics.

I got off topic here. I was on 2 forums and posted the wrong one. Yes it is a 2615 with the 106 loader on it. Destroyed. Well when you put a torch to something it takes the paint and all off and makes it look bad. But it looks pretty good now. The grill part is working clearing trees with out a grill guard which I have also made now. With a new front on it. I do lot of driveway dig outs also and changed to a tooth bucket now. When you use the wrong equipment for something it is going to have some damaging efects. But my machine is workig great everydau and I am enjoying it after all the mods. But at the same time. My skidsteer I purchased does not get torn up for the same work I do. Mahindras have fast hydraulics. Weak buckets. Bad on cooling which I fixed now by turning the oil cooler sideways and new front end with fans.

 

[jleal]

jleal, my guess is you don't have an owners manual with torque specs. You do not use an impact wrench to tighten frame bolts. A torque wrench is the correct tool.

well I guess the dealer that put my FEL on did not use a torque wrench than and that is why it keeps coming loose. Torque wrenches are used to tighten bolts in a sequence all evenly like heads and main bolt bearings or aluminum. So a warping efect wont happen or over tighten on something that matters. Frame bolts are big strong bolts that can be tighten by any means possible. Torque wrench, Breaker bar, or impact. To keep from coming loose. By the way I have atb least 7500 hours on my machine right now and have put about 1000 in repair in it since I have had it including new 14 ply tires all around. So I think I am getting my moneys worth for a inexpensive machine. I paid 160.00 for these 14 ply tires new after extensive searching.

 

[jleal]

It looks like a 2615 with the 106 loader - not a 4500. Also, the modifications make me wonder it one would ever be able to remove the loader according to manufacturer's instructions.

I see you have the same machine I have. Probably in a lot better condition with only 366 hours on it. The loader still comes off the same way. After a machine is not in warranty no more. You are pretty much on your own. Most you people in this forum buy your machine for your farm or your acreage to take care of. I got mine for comercial use. I can honestly say I bet I have bush hoged about 5,000 acres already with this machine. So even if the machine falls apart and I throw it away or send it to the scrap pile. It paid for itself. I am really restoring it now and will post photos when finished. Because I am retiring it and keeping it for only my place which is 3-1/2 acre and 10 acre spot that I rarely get to and of course the wear and tear and damage pretty much none existence now.

 

[AchingBack]

jleal, I'm impressed by the number of hours you have put on your tractor; and it makes me happy to hear it is still going strong for you. I look forward to your restoration photos.

 

[jleal]

jleal, I'm impressed by the number of hours you have put on your tractor; and it makes me happy to hear it is still going strong for you. I look forward to your restoration photos.

Yes achingback. You have a long way before you see your tractor quit on you. Farm tractors pretty much last the life time of a person. I am 50 and I can see this one lasting me till Im gone. The motor on this thing is fabulous. I had problems with this machine from the dealer when I first got it but learned to get around those problems. Fix them myself and stay away from them. I have also changed all battery cables to #2 and lots of wiring to bigger guage wiring. I was very close to buying a new kioti or bobcat or mahindra cab for cutting grass but my son that helped me cut grass passed on. So like I said this machine also got retired and damage to it is very minimum now. Some lots we did for the city were so bad you just dont walk into them. So u can understand what this machine has been put thru and held up to it. Would I buy another mahindra. Yes! I picked a small machine to haul around easy on a regular utility trailer with 3500 lb axles being pulled by my blazer. it did the job.

 

[AchingBack]

So sorry to hear about your son passing. I lost a teenage son, too.