Bent 4046H FEL cross member

[Woodshaver]

Ok, read the warnings/experiences but managed to twist the loader cross member with grapple down and in on the left side. Dog bones bent also. Know exactly how and when it happened. about a 1.5" twist in the cross member.

Removed the bucket and quick connect down to the just the loader arms. Considered the following:

1. Use 10ton pull ram to try to pull straight. Chain down ( appreciate anyone with procedure to help)
2. Body Shop frame straightening: Contacted a few places, most do not want to do this work, one guy said he would look at it.
3. Cut cross member , straighten and re-weld.
3. Buy new loader frame, expensive and not sure really needed at this point.

Any input, clarification or recommendations on a fix?

Thanks

 

[George2615]

Sorry to hear about the twist. The dog legs can be straightened in a hydraulic press and then some reinforcing metal can be welded on the strengthen them. Here's the link to that post which you already should be subscribed to.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/ls-tractor-owning-operating/347037-reinforced-loader-doglegs.html

If possible post some pics of the loader. Hard to give any advice without seeing how bad its tweaked.

 

[Woodshaver]

Wanted to update and show how the bend cross member was corrected. First, tried to find a body shop to straighten using their frame straightening machine. Disappointing results, understand this is not a job they normally would do. A couple of shops did not want to deal with this after calling, placed the tractor on the trailer and took it to one guy who said would need a 20ton pull machine. Another guy looked at with no idea how he would bend it back, he tried to understand but really seemed not to have a clue what to do, did not want him to fool with it anyway without feeling comfortable. Did research on the internet and got ideas but could not find any pictures so will post some. No welds cracked or even any paint cracked, just not even anymore.


Looks serious here, removed the dog bones and the quick attach cross member. The loader arms "sprung" even more so this pointed to the cross member. Did measurement to verify loader arms were not bent. Used two trees and a 10ton pull ram. Blocked the loader arm (remove spring of cross member) on one side and placed other loader arm against tree. Connected to the lowest hole on the loader arm with chain and slowly pulled with the pull ram in opposite direction of damage bend, fortunate to know how damage bend occurred. Requires equal pull in the opposite direction, so -5 degree bend requires a + 5 degree bend to make the cross member straight.


Checked a few times during the pull and estimated the pull distance equal to bend distance. Made one other pull straight out and up to tweak to level. Place on level concrete and measured from floor to loader arms and side to side until equal, this took two tries.


Dog bones were also bent slightly so pressed back with hydraulic press. The result was very good, within a 1/8 to 1/4" of being equal again and not sure it was perfect to start.
Would not heat as this could weaken steel, 10 ton pull ram was plenty of power to straighten this cross member. Saw the dog bone beefing up link, good idea, tempted to weld gussets on the cross member tube to the loader arm but not sure beefing up everything wouldn't lead to other bent parts. The best bet is not to use the tractor/loader like a bulldozer. The 4046H has plenty of power, had it in four wheel drive, grapple loaded with tree (unevenly), this tractor was digging in and giving maximum pushing power when this happened. Yeah, the tree and roots did come out of the ground.:laughing:

 

[George2615]

Glad you were able to get it straight.