My second photo in post #116 shows the extremely extended cylinders right down against the tip end of the loader frame.
Yes, that picture definitely shows the issue. Assuming a distance of 24" from bucket tip to the pivot pin and 4" from the cylinder rod to the pivot pin gives a ratio of 6:1. So, assuming a point load on the bucket tip of 1000 lbs would produce six times that or 6000 lbs compressive load on the cylinder rod. The load on the cylinder would be reduced by half if the rod was 8" from the pivot pin. Might still bend the rod if too small of diameter.
The rod diameter is, as several mentioned, very important. A 1-1/4" diameter rod, for example, is 56% stronger than a 1" diameter rod.