Ford 555D steering cylinder challenge

[jrgExcavation]

Hi everyone I am John Ross with JRG Excavation and I have a New Holland/Ford 555D 4x4 yr-1996 backhoe. My steering cylinder is jacked up and New Holland doesent make the part anymore, Im waiting on a non-oem steering cylinder I got from gulfsouthequip.com that is supposed to be the replacement for it but it doesnt look exactly the same. I also have a local cylinder specialist that says he can make one exactly the same as the original for about $500. Im wondering first if anyone has ever had this challenge and or tried this part out, and second, what is the best thing for me to do to fix this the correct way? Thanks - John

This is the one I ordered from Ford, Case, John Deere, King Kutter parts - backhoe, dozer, tractor, excavator parts - new, used, salvage equipment -

and this is the original part it looks a bit different but it says it fits my tractor all over the web.

 

[olde man]

if the only difference is the adjustment ability, measure it up and see if it fits. it looks like there is a shadow of a rear port in your picture so that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[jrgExcavation]

I got the part today and it fits but it looks cheap and small so I returned it asap cuz my last option is to reuse the ball joints and have a specialist weld on a new cylinder for $550 plus overnight delivery. if someone could mass produce these they would make a fortune, I would have paid a thousand plus for the correct part.

 

[olde man]

that's probably for the best if the old one was wrecked the cheapie probably wouldn't hold up to the same use

 

[jrgExcavation]

got it today exact clone of my original cyl. by milestone hydraulics in ep tx, thanks

 

[olde man]

you're welcome sometimes these challenges are actually valuable teaching aids