Advise on broken CX300

Dan Hunter · Mar 22, 2015

I'm pretty sure I broke my FEL this weekend. Specifically, I believe the weld that holds the end plate on the left mounting frame has failed. I noticed some unusual movement on the mast and upon inspection found I could put a finger INSIDE the mounting frame.

I've never had the unit off but it seems simple as described in the manual. Once the FEL is off, I'm assuming the end plate will still be in the mast. I'm thinking I can remove the mounting frame and have the end plate welded back on.

Anyone see a problem with this approach?

MIJI

beenthere · Mar 22, 2015

Not following your description. Maybe pics will help.

If welds are broken, then it would be apparent (IMO).

Dan Hunter · Mar 22, 2015

The video won't download but I can feel a sharp edge that I believe is the failed weld and again I can reach into the tube of the mounting frame which would indicate that AT LEAST the weld of the endplate failed.

beenthere · Mar 22, 2015

Put the video on youtube and link to the youtube url. Or just take pics.... thinking we can find some good help here to answer your questions and help you come to a good solution.

Dan Hunter · Mar 27, 2015

End plate missing so I'll be installing a new mount next week. Mast seems fine.

beenthere · Mar 27, 2015

Thanks for the pics. I get the "picture" now. Good to get a new mount.
Puzzled that it broke, but maybe you know what caused that to happen. Something more than regular use, I suspect.

But if not an event that you think could have caused it, I'd double check that the right and left side mounts were dealer-installed correctly. There is, I believe, a difference and IIRC that difference can be subtle enough that the binding that results may be passed off as normal.

See if the new part comes with the installation instructions and double check that the original install was done correctly.

Dan Hunter · Mar 27, 2015

My limited experience with welding read is that the welds weren't hot enough and didn't get good penetration. On the other hand, it has most of its hours with a grapple up front and, yeah it works for a living.

Oh, and the mounts are correctly installed.

arlen4720 · Mar 28, 2015

Those welds are defective. No ifs, and, or buts about it. There is zero penetration to the tube.
You might have some luck with JD on those.

The Suburban Farmer · Mar 28, 2015

arlen4720 said:
Those welds are defective. No ifs, and, or buts about it. There is zero penetration to the tube.
You might have some luck with JD on those.

+1 to this -- there is zero penetration of those welds. How old is your loader? If it's not ancient, then I would definitely let JD know about this. There's no way that weld is up to ANY manufacturers spec.

RoyJackson · Mar 28, 2015

Dan Hunter said:
End plate missing so I'll be installing a new mount next week. Mast seems fine.

They appear to be very cold welds...especially in the end view (3rd) picture...no penetration in the end cap. Definitely a factory defect and I hope you take this to Deere. All repair costs should be borne by Deere.