Kid snaps loader arms

[Fastball]

I snapped both loader rams on a John Deere a few years ago. I had a full bucket raised fairly high, hit a bump and "Snap". Lower the bucket before racing down the trail! That cost me $1100.

I have only been tractoring for a few years, but the one thing I have learned is never do anything FAST with a tractor.
Most bad stuff gets worse when you have 3000-plus pounds of momentum happening.

 

[Doofy]

Amen. I was moving dirt from a pile about 100 yds away and just wanted to git-er-done. Cost me money, 3 lost days and it wasn't even my tractor. Lesson learned.

 

[prichard]

My boom cylinders leak down, I don't notice when running but if I leave it parked for an hour the loader ends up on the ground. I suspect I created the issue by improper backdraging. Lesson learned.

 

[Doofy]

My boom cylinders leak down, I don't notice when running but if I leave it parked for an hour the loader ends up on the ground. I suspect I created the issue by improper backdraging. Lesson learned.

I should probably read up on the "Proper" way to backdrag also. My last backhoe was a Case 580 and was indestructible.

 

[crazyal]

Not sure how remote you are but around here there's a couple people who repair cylinders. What they do is cut off the end of your rod, use new rod machined to match what you have and weld the old end on the new rod rebuilt with new seals. The price is cheaper than anything I could find used or for a generic cylinder. When I got my 580k someone had bent one of the swing cylinders so I did the homework. I've had it now 14 years after being repaired without any problems.

 

[Doofy]

Never even crossed my mind that those cylinders could be repaired. Since the tractor wasn't mine, I felt compelled to replace with new.

 

[Jstpssng]

Never even crossed my mind that those cylinders could be repaired. Since the tractor wasn't mine, I felt compelled to replace with new.

That's my second rule about borrowing; don't use it if I can't afford to fix it. (First rule is; don't lend anything if I'm going to want it back.)

 

[Industrial Toys]

Or better to give than to lend, because the price is the same.

I guess on the bright side, that so many people don't know what a tractor loader is made for, is good for all kinds of business income.

 

[Doofy]

That's my second rule about borrowing; don't use it if I can't afford to fix it. (First rule is; don't lend anything if I'm going to want it back.)

That is my rule for money...I gift it, if able. I will not "Loan" as that normally ends friendships. The Tractor will not leave the property unless I am in the seat. I will help you.

 

[Coyote machine]

FWIW, I too thought Messik's response was a little harsh, considering the circumstances, and the OP stated he has some difficult saying exactly what he meant, in his title.
Coming from a non-dealer the comment might have been less taken as a criticism, so I can see both sides of the argument.
Nonetheless, I do feel there might have been a better way to apprise users of the backdrag 'rules'.

I too learned the hard way about backdragging- but did not suffer cylinder damage. I did bend the 1/2 moon shaped pieces on the front of my first tractor, a DK-35 Kioti.
They were replaced under warranty, then I bent them again. Dealer welded support bars on them. I bent them again, and decided to trade up within a year of the first, and traded to a DK-40. This solved a bunch of my issues, stronger loader, etc. Cost me about 8K to move up, loss on used 1st one and cost to go to bigger/newer model.
I'm more than happy now, and have learned its a tractor, not a dozer - who knew?! :confused3:

 

[Doofy]

What is the Proper way to backdrag with a compact tractor? I think my owners manual said to keep the bucket flat on the ground and not with the bucket curled down. Not very intuitive when used to a big loader.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Why not forget the tractor then? Save some fuel and simply drag a plastic snow shovel behind you for the same result.

 

[Doofy]

Why not forget the tractor then? Save some fuel and simply drag a plastic snow shovel behind you for the same result.

Hahahaha! Kinda what I thought.

 

[RickB]

What is the Proper way to backdrag with a compact tractor? I think my owners manual said to keep the bucket flat on the ground and not with the bucket curled down. Not very intuitive when used to a big loader.

Depends entirely on how much intuition you have.

 

[RandyT]

The back drag issue is normally associated with having the bucket curled down to a point that the leading edge will catch on stumps, etc causing excessive pressure on the extended cylinders. Having a slight down angle that the bucket can jump over obstacles normally doesn't cause issues with bent or broken cylinder rods.

 

[Doofy]

The back drag issue is normally associated with having the bucket curled down to a point that the leading edge will catch on stumps, etc causing excessive pressure on the extended cylinders. Having a slight down angle that the bucket can jump over obstacles normally doesn't cause issues with bent or broken cylinder rods.

Thanks. That makes sense.

 

[Coyote machine]

The back drag issue is normally associated with having the bucket curled down to a point that the leading edge will catch on stumps, etc causing excessive pressure on the extended cylinders. Having a slight down angle that the bucket can jump over obstacles normally doesn't cause issues with bent or broken cylinder rods.

Also, for those with less skills at doing things like backdragging; using the loader float position keeps from damaging their loader cylinders.

 

[FTG-05]

thou shall never back drag with the bucket cylinders extended way out.

I didn't know that!

 

[JRobyn]

The "heel" of the bucket is what I usually use to backdrag. Ideally in float. But sometimes powered down to the point of lifting the front wheels.

I HAVE been guilty of backdragging with the teeth, particularly when trying to clear roots and such. No damage to date (about 10 years and 400 hrs). The Kubota LA loaders are TOUGH!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Front end loaders were never designed for earth engaging tasks or abuse. Having said that, I wouldn't think that given the moderate energy limitations of a small tractor, that a loader designed for a given tractor, should break that easily.

I can see, that high inertial loads can break just about anything, but the tractive effort alone of a small tractor, breaking the loader???

So why wouldn't they spend another fifty bucks at the manufacturing level and put in beefier loader cylinders? Then backdrag all you like!