Bent rods in loader arms?

[4570Man]

This is all part of my learning curve. When all done, I may see myself going to a compact excavator/steer combo. It will depend upon the jobs I get in the next year.

That’s what I’m in the process of doing. The 2 big downsides are twice the purchase price and having to make 2 trips to move them.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Whatever did it, I am certain it was the momentum of the machine during some operation that caused the damage. Dead slow, and it's almost impossible to do something like that.

 

[Pontific8]

Back dragging with the bucket in full curl (rams fully extended) is a sure fire way to bend them, especially when you impact something that won't move easily. Hard lesson to learn, expensive too. The rams can be straightened but it's a time consuming and expensive job.

If you love back dragging, 6' Ratchet Rake, 500 lbs Stump Bucket, etc. as much as I do, it may well be time to consider upgrading your curl cylinders!! I was bending (and straightening) my puny 1" bore rams until one broke and I could not believe how easy, quick and CHEAP it was to upgrade them to larger bore (3 times rated strength of 1") Ukraine manufactured Magister Hydraulic cylinders via AMAZON (only $314 for the pair!).

 

[Smokeydog]

When designing a piece of equipment you want the weak link to be an easily replaceable part. A cylinder VS a loader frame for example. Strengthening one part puts more stress somewhere else. That said, few things suit me out of the box and require some modifications to perform like I think they should. I know enough to be dangerous.

Having a pressure gauge to monitor FEL lift pressure shows the importance of selecting proper hydraulic components to handle the working pressures. The improvements of routing lines, valves and shields not only for equipment protection but operator protection too.

Replaced many hydraulic hoses from age deterioration with stronger two-wire mil spec hoses with good success. All the hoses on B20 started failing at the same ~25 year time. Also put nylon sleeves on lines where I can.

 

[pmmully]

If you love back dragging, 6' Ratchet Rake, 500 lbs Stump Bucket, etc. as much as I do, it may well be time to consider upgrading your curl cylinders!! I was bending (and straightening) my puny 1" bore rams until one broke and I could not believe how easy, quick and CHEAP it was to upgrade them to larger bore (3 times rated strength of 1") Ukraine manufactured Magister Hydraulic cylinders via AMAZON (only $314 for the pair!).

There are a few of the upgraded cylinders out there I found while looking for remanufactured units. Makes sense, but I agree that they should be considered in the big picture. When I used to do street race cars, many people skipped beefing up the brakes, not a good result.

 

[pmmully]

That’s what I’m in the process of doing. The 2 big downsides are twice the purchase price and having to make 2 trips to move them.

Guys I know just buy a longer trailer, both at once. I have seen some "low-boy" dumps out there, as well as some lowering trailers. My bud, who is a tree guy, has everything, has one of those lowering trailers that can hold three toys. When I used to do septic with a partner, we had a compact and 60HP ASV, both tracked. But back then, it was two runs for sure.

 

[4570Man]

Guys I know just buy a longer trailer, both at once. I have seen some "low-boy" dumps out there, as well as some lowering trailers. My bud, who is a tree guy, has everything, has one of those lowering trailers that can hold three toys. When I used to do septic with a partner, we had a compact and 60HP ASV, both tracked. But back then, it was two runs for sure.

I plan on putting both machines behind my 6500 truck but my KX040 and a 75 skid steer is nearing 20,000 pounds without any additional implements.

 

[ptsg]

I plan on putting both machines behind my 6500 truck but my KX040 and a 75 skid steer is nearing 20,000 pounds without any additional implements.

Can you legally do it? Might be right at the max capacity?

 

[4570Man]

Can you legally do it? Might be right at the max capacity?

I don’t even know what the rated tow capacity is. That’s not much more than my buddies 80 trackhoe and it handles it fine.

 

[5030]

Whatever did it, I am certain it was the momentum of the machine during some operation that caused the damage. Dead slow, and it's almost impossible to do something like that.

Not really. Depends on the diameter of the rams and how much leverage the bucket lip is exerting on the bucket linkage as well as the angle of curl of the bucket itself. A solid encountered object that is for all intents and purposes immovable can and will impart enough force on the cylinder rams to bend them. Something I never do. I always use the heel of the bucket, no exceptions.