broken frame on PT 422

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> (Not only is 1 cylinder doing the work of two but bringing the "push point" in so much closer to the center must mean a lot less leverage as well) </font>

It sure looks that way.

There is a large articulated loader at our Co-oP. They use if for loading mulch--and probably for other stuff too. It only has a single steering ram, and it is close to the center line too. I wonder about it every time I see. I have no idea who made it.

 

[BobRip]

I am just an amateur welder, but did you bevel the edges of the metal so that the weld will be as thick as the metal and fully penetrate to the other side? This may not be required on metal this thin. Look underneath and see if the weld goes all the way through. Does anyone else have this concern? There must be some more experienced welders out there who can comment.
I think the backplate is an excellent idea.

Bob Rip

 

[J_J]

The difference in the one cylinder and its mounting position is probably equal to the push/pull from the two cylinders and its mounting point, however the push power is always greater than the pull. In essence, on a single cylinder, there is more force created when turning right due to the push effect.

You can verify this by going to Surpluscenter.com and select help and select tech section, and selecting hydraulic calculator.

 

[PABenz]

Thank you SCARG for the info on the frame. I too have a 422 (with 175 hours on it) and when I checked, I noticed a small crack in the same area that your failure occurred. I am going to have it welded by a neighbor and hope to avoid a bigger problem in the future. I love the machine, but am a little disappointed in this problem. I plan to inspect the frame a little more closely during routine maintenance. Thanks again, because I would never have seen that crack if you didn't share the information.

 

[Marks481]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( when I checked, I noticed a small crack in the same area that your failure occurred. )</font>

Please be sure to feed this back to Power Trac, since it sounds like there is a design flaw with the attachment point of the steering cylinder. I am thinking that I should probably get mine beefed up now, before flexing of the ligament between the bolt hole and the drain hole cause the crack to start to appear.

 

[stray]

I thought this pic might be usefull in the repair thought process for someone. On the left is the new one cylinder setup on the right is the old two cylinder setup.

 

[MuncyBob]

I'm concerned since I have the single cylinder steering..due to my lack of knowledge on welding, etc. can somebody post exactly what should be told to the weld shop on beefing up this area for preventative maint.?

 

[J_J]

Why not print those pictures of the unit that was broke, and show the welder what the other guy did to fix his unit, and the welder will come up with a fix, to beef up the unit.

 

[scarg]

I did not bevel or weld prep the broken out portion. I only wire brushed to remove any paint and rust in the area.

In addition - I welded from both top and bottom.

I never did weld the additional plate that PT sent me. I check the bottom from time to time and have not seen any cracks yet. I wonder if winter plowing will cause any. At any rate it doesn't much matter any more because I now have a small mig welder in my barn so I can easily fix any cracks that start before they get too big.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[PABenz]

Hi All, I recently had the same steering failure as Scarg did. I have a 2004 - 422 with one steering cylinder. Luckly I caught mine before a complete failure occurred so it was easier to take to the shop. I had it welded in 2005(not very good) by a neighbor at 175 hours when I first noticed a crack, but it failed again. A clicking noise under foot was heard when turning and that is a sure clue to this problem. I didn't take any photos because they were basically the same as Scargs.

The welder told me the main issue is the metal on the bottom where the cylinder is attached was too thin for the pressure the cylinder put one it. Plus, it was right next to a big drain hole. My machine has about 350 hours and this repair cost $250 to have welded (a little more then I hoped, my guesstamate was about $150,but what can you do). He said it took 4 hours labor plus material.

The guy did a great job and welded a large plate on the bottom of the machine. It looks strong now and he pomised I wouldn't have a problem in that area again. The moral here....watch those 422s with 1 cylinder. Thanks and good luck. PS, this was my first real repair on the machine, I still love it.