Busted pivot rod on 400cx loader?

[tinsnip]

OK, not sure what the real name of this part is, so I'm calling it a "pivot rod". The part in question is a silver-colored rod that spans the width of the loader and goes through the joint of the loader "feet" from one side to the other (see attached photo). While switching from the bucket to the pallete forks yesterday, I noticed the left "foot" was acting weird and appeared to be moving sideways when pushed into the all-the-way-down position. On closer inspection, it appears as if the rod in question is sheared off just to the inside of the foot.

So am I correct in assuming that the rod/part is a continuous piece that runs all the way through both arms/feet and if so, how big a job is it to remove and replace?

Thanks!
Tim

 

[arlen4720]

It's called a "timing rod", and I don't think its difficult to replace. There are a couple 1/4...maybe 5/16 pins that need to be driven out. I don't know if you have to take one of the feet off, or not. But if you do, the large pins come out easily.

 

[Ken]

I have a 4520 and purchased mine for clean up after a tornado crossed property laying down 30 acres of trees. so have used the FEL. for a lot of lifting of logs and the twist has broken this bar several times. Used to purchase from J.D. a new rod and they charge like it is made of gold. then welded the broken parts together and reused .
Look carefully at the cross member of the FWL the weld on mine was not holding the arm and was shifting when load was on one side. removed from tractor and rewelded the cross member and quit breaking the rod.
ken

 

[sunnyside360]

That rod is called a timing rod. It keeps the left and right attachment feet in sync. I had to replace the one on my 400X loader last year. It's not a difficult/big job at all. It is one continuous rod with grease zerks on each end and runs all the way through both left and right side. I used a wooden dowel and a hammer to drive out the old rod. IIRC, it was around $120.

 

[tinsnip]

Thanks gents! Exactly what I hoped (except for the $120 part). Will order the part and check the cross member to be sure it's holding. To be honest, I don't even know how long the situation has existed but over the past several years I've lifted a ton of big stuff (like 28 ft. pine and massive boulders) so it's not a surprise that a twisting motion would make this happen. The break must be inside the foot since from the outside it still looks whole.

Thanks again!
Tim

 

[arlen4720]

Are you sure that you didn't just shear the pin? Look at item 20.

 

[sunnyside360]

Are you sure that you didn't just shear the pin?

Excellent point. This fix would be way cheaper and easier than replacing the bar. This has happened to others here on TBN so it does happen. In fact, these pins should shear before the bar breaks but it doesn't always work that way.

 

[chipsndust]

Excellent point. This fix would be way cheaper and easier than replacing the bar. This has happened to others here on TBN so it does happen. In fact, these pins should shear before the bar breaks but it doesn't always work that way.

Happened to me on a 200CX on a 2305. All it needed was a new pin.

 

[Zebrafive]

Same here on my JD 640 loader, sheared or lost a pin, easy fix.

 

[tinsnip]

Just received the replacement timing rod via UPS today. I took the old rod out before ordering the replacement and sure enough, it was busted. It broke cleanly in the exact location of the hole that accepts the pin. Since that hole is covered by the flange of the loader's foot, it was completely invisible. I removed the bucket and lowered the feet onto blocks and without the weight of the bucket, I was able to grab the short, broken end and pull it out without any difficulty. The other side was a different story since I think it might have taken a bit of torque. But it's all out now and the new one goes in tomorrow.

Thanks again for the help.