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...