4000 Series Steering Link Damage

GoodGuy · May 22, 2005

This past weekend I caught a rock which in turn broke the hydraulic steering shaft rod on my 4210. I've attached a pic & I'm curious as to whether any other 4000 series owners have had any problems here & also if anyone has made any mods to make this system better. At $834 Cdn, I'm racking my brain to try & figure a way to protect this cylinder/rod because we have lots of rocky soil here & really don't want to go thru this again. Suggestions/Thoughts ??
Thanks, Eric

Jim_Fisher · May 22, 2005

Eric,

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( At $834 Cdn, I'm racking my brain to try & figure a way to protect this cylinder/rod because we have lots of rocky soil here & really don't want to go thru this again. Suggestions/Thoughts ?? )</font>

Have you checked with your local hydraulics shop? They might be able to fabricate a new shaft or modifiy a 1 3/4" x 10" cylinder to use as a relacement.

Cactus · May 22, 2005

The 4000 series are vulnerable to damage like this since JD addressed the turf scuffing axle design a few years back and changed the axle design...The older style axles were less likely to have this happen...but that does not help you any....I don't know if the JD Armor All protection package has a part that would cover that or not.... sorry about the problem....if you end up having to buy a new piece you can file a price complaint through your JD dealer,you might get a little bit of a discount....

GoodGuy · May 22, 2005

Jim...
Just got home from my neighbour's shop. He's a millwright & as you can see in this attached pic, he has done the best he could which as far as I'm concerned "excellent". He has been quick to point out that it is a short term fix & probably the seal will fail but at least I'm mobile again. See my smile. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GoodGuy · May 22, 2005

Whoops, forgot pic.
Still interested in finding a long term fix to the design.

GoodGuy · May 22, 2005

Cactus...
Your point exactly !!
I had not thought about the rental package (extra protection). I will investigate that, maybe there is something available thru JD. Appreciate your info.
Eric

beenthere · May 22, 2005

That must have been some 'rock' to get that 'link' damage. Sorry to hear that, but don't suspect it is a common problem under normal use of the series tractors.
Do you have a picture of that rock?

I've been concerned about tree stumps, and getting caught on them, and have rock boulders too. Will try to avoid doing what you had happen.

GoodGuy · May 22, 2005

Sorry, didn't take a pic of the rock but honestly it wasn't anything special & that's why I'm concerned. It was oblong & I think the axle must have just caught it enough to dig in & roll up into the steering linkage. My point to this post would be to cover the possibility of tree stumps causing the same problem.

SteveH_CT · May 23, 2005

I've damaged mine under similar circumstances, but only to the point where I bent a hydraulic line, and once snapped the end of the fitting off. I use more care now than when I first got the tractor when going through or over rocky or heavily stumped terrain. As others have said the armor kit would help... but from my experience... watching what exactly you're trying to run over will really help to.

Good Luck with it.

rockyridgefarm · May 23, 2005

The rental package is great. I would highly recommend getting it before they disappear.

But, it does nothing for the steering linkages... I will look st mine to see if there is any good fix...

jeffinsgf · May 23, 2005

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 · May 23, 2005

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 · May 23, 2005

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 · May 23, 2005

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 · May 23, 2005

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 · May 28, 2005

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 · Jun 14, 2005

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 · Jun 17, 2005

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 · Jun 25, 2005

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.....