John Deere 400CX Loader cylinder failed - looking for suggestions

[LD1]

If its the kind I am thinking of, they also use that type of cylinder on skidloaders. HAd to rebuild one on a 325 once. The seal kit for the cylinder actually has the little plastic ring that fills the groove and keeps the snap ring from engaging.

Its alot easier when the piston is still attached to the rod, because then you use the whole rod/piston as a big slide hammer itself to pop the gland cap out.

IF your plastic piece is made correctly to prevent the wire ring from engaging in the barrel groove, it shouldnt be too difficulty to do as wdchyd said and use water and the rod to create hydraulic pressure to pop the cap out.

(which BTW is also a similar method to using grease and a rod to dislodge a pilot bearing from a flywheel)

 

[wdchyd]

I like the water instead of using hyd oil as it is messy. Sometimes using heat before ruins the rod seals and makes it difficult to contain the water so another trick is to use greasy paper towels to pack in below the gland if the water gushes out, then slam the rod in.
If the special removal ring is missing or gets destroyed bondo works great to fill the groove and cleans up easy.

 

[rScotty]

I am going to grab some sleep - but I am thinking of plugging the lines to that cylinder and hope it will be strong enough to load some round bales into the feeders. Any thoughts on that?

On another note - I don't care for this design at all. Much more prefer the design where the cap is threaded onto the cylinder. Thanks for any suggestions while I go grab some zzz's

I realize I'm a week late...but glad you got a temporary fix. It sounds like you have done about what any mechanical old timer would have done, which is asked for advice and then patched it up while looking for a plan... It's what I'd have done. Glad it worked.

You are lucky to have that local hydraulic shop. We have one too - originally run by farmers in the off season. If it were me, I'd ask them if they could find standard good quality cylinders and just replace them all. That is, if you like the basic tractor & loader and I suspect you do. If so, there is simply no reason not to improve it as necessay.

Our local shop used to make cylinders from scratch for a reasonable price. I haven't asked, but maybe they still do.

I guess this new type of construction is all part and parcel of JD's push to switch away from their original philosophy of making machinery that was owner repairable and going toward machinery that is cost effective manufacture but not easiliy repaired.

I don't approve of this new JD manufacturing philosophy for my own uses. But I can see where JD may have it right - most modern tractor buyers are more concerned with dealer service, debt financing, modern features, and comfort. The new buyers are very much less interested in the repairability or even of the routine service of their equipment.

Anyway, I hope to live long enough to see how that all plays out. In the meanwhile there are plenty of old tractors and more than enough parts & supplies to keep us old timers happily wrenching and refurbishing our old machinery for our lifetimes. My plan is to enjoy keeping my old machines running .....but also invest in JD company stock.

Let us know how it all turns out.
rScotty