4000 Series Steering Link Damage

[jeffinsgf]

Guess I got lucky. I bent the tie rod this weekend, instead of the hydro cylinder -- only $180.00. Backing into some brush with the MX-5, a root snapped up in between the axle and the tie rod. The root won. It came out of the ground without a sound or even a jolt, but it bent the tie rod to the point that it almost touches the hydro cylinder now.

The JD skid plate package doesn't have anything in it for this rather vulnerable area.

 

[dsgsr]

I've bent two and broke one on my 4700, All were replace by JD under warranty. JD had many problems with these in the early 2000's and fixed the problem by a different hardening process of the rod. I am not aware of any protection device for this area so if anyone comes up with something I'd love to see it.

David

 

[Dicky]

I had a post about a week ago asking if anyone made a "skid Plate" for my JD 4300. I think having the steering linkage below the axle is an accident waiting to happen. Ironically, my 4100 had the steering above and behind the front axle. Much better protected, however, I still managed to catch a stump with it. I am downright paranoid with my 4300 - maybe thats good. Someone who is good with a welder ought to fabricate a skid plate for these tractors. I checked the new 3000 series - they have the same design - steering under the front axle.

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to the forum.
Seems my connecting linkage rod that is just a bit under the axle is a fair distance above the ground. Not sure what that clearance is, but it will clear the stumps I leave in the woods.

On my previous tractor (Deere 420U), I had a frame (actually built for a snow plow on the front) that stopped me from going over stumps and rocks. Something like that dropping down ahead of the axle and the connecting rod should help warn of tall stumps and rocks. A pan or skid plate would have to be low enough to allow the oscillating front axle to rotate, and wide enough to protect the exposed parts. Raising the connecting rod would not allow the axle to rotate. Kind of a catch-22.

 

[bigpete]

GoodGuy--looks like a good temproary fix. I'd sure want to keep that word "temporary" in mind if I were shunting a fully loaded bucket downhill, though.

I have a couple of different brackets that hang low. One for the MMM and another for the front blade assembly. They do not provide direct protection, but the do help establish a "safe" zone. I would think a little ingenuity and some fabrication talent could help you come up with a simple pin-on stump-catcher.

 

[firtol88]

It might be worth while to call this company or this company.

I'm still looking for something for a 3000 series, but the 4000s seem to have some options.

 

[pat32rf]

Last year I found that I had bent the shaft on my 4300 cylinder so next time I was at the dealer I asked for the obvious (to me) -a new shaft. My bro-in-law rebuilds cylinders so I thought that he could re&re the old shaft. Why doesn't JD make a kit or rebuildable cylinder for these? Like you say, I could probably have a new cylinder made up for under $800 at my local shop. A standard cylinder can be had at Princess auto for about $200......

 

[GoodGuy]

Fortunately for me, my dealer made sure that I was covered under warranty but in another couple months my warranty will be gone & it would be better if this cylinder was rebuildable. Also, if I were to break a tie rod joint, I would be out $800 because nothing is serviceable. I still have not come up with any kind of protection if anyone has any ideas ?

 

[pat32rf]

I would find a machine shop that does a lot of service on logging or mining equipment and try and let them have a look at your/our set up BEFORE it gets damaged. They might have some ideas. I was working on a trail out back today and dropped a rock on the BH landing gear cylinder, snapping the fitting off the lift hose. I managed to swap the down hose to the other end of the cylinder so I could lift it and drive home, then took the broken hose (about 3' of 1/4" hose) to a truck shop up the road where they made up a new piece and had me on the way in 20min. (and $20) The last piece of hose I bought was 5' long and cost $98 in the automotive wholesaler in the other end of town. They were closed today so I tried the truck stop.....