Kid snaps loader arms

Fastball · May 9, 2018

Doofy said:
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 · May 9, 2018

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 · May 9, 2018

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 · May 9, 2018

prichard said:
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 · May 10, 2018

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 · May 10, 2018

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 · May 10, 2018

Doofy said:
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 · May 10, 2018

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 · May 10, 2018

Jstpssng said:
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 · May 10, 2018

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: