thingamabob not in proper place

[Megawisdumb]

Today I decided to do some basic maintenance on my BX25DLB and as I was draining the engine oil I see this sight and said to myself, that doesn't look right. My first thought was jack it up and use a BFH but then I decided to go drink a beer and watch football. Its halftime so I'm posting these pictures to see if someone has encountered this before and can offer some guidance on next steps. welcome the feedback.

 

[JWR]

I assume you are talking about the metal plate with a circular hole cut out of it and 2 bolts holing it in place? That holds your steering hydraulic cylinder from going too far left or right in response to steering forces. I can't remember if there is one on both sides or not. Anyway, you can take it off and straighten it to restore the function. What I also can't recall is whether it may have a slight bend to it normally but I know it is not normally bent as much as we see in your photo. Hopefully others will chime in here and answer the rest for you.

 

[Citydude]

Um, that pic looks really wonky. Im not familiar with your tractor but is that the cylinder rod rubbing on that bracket?

 

[JWR]

Um, that pic looks really wonky. Im not familiar with your tractor but is that the cylinder rod rubbing on that bracket?

Looks very much like it could be in contact with the steering cylinder shaft. Needs straightened. By the way, those cylinders are notorious for going though seals. Two did in my own family. In order to bend that limiter though, somebody put some severe sideways steering force on the sucker !

 

[Megawisdumb]

Thank you in the info gentlemen. It seems the bracket was just bent outward 1/4 or so and the cylinder shaft was just sitting outside it. So I removed the tie rod and the bracket and used a BFH to get it straight again and bolted it back on and it fit like a glove. It seemed too easy and maybe it was as I haven't used it yet but did see many comments on the interweb about how loose this cylinder is on the BX25. Several even made shims to tighten it up. I recently put a post pounder on this guy so its been shaken more than usual but if this is only problem from that I'll take it.

 

[Grandad4]

Hydraulic post drivers are probably well beyond what a BX size tractor was designed for. Your tractor, but that's asking a lot from that little guy.

 

[LouNY]

I have no idea and I didn't do any research on it,
is there supposed to be a C clip or something to retain the cylinder in that bracket.

 

[Megawisdumb]

No C clip but wedged perfectly between these two brackets so if you bend one like I did the steering cylinder gets wonky. Now the post pounding is another issue. All the heavy work is done by several large springs not the hydro, it only raised the hammer to pound. I've done a few hundred 6" treated posts so far without a major issue and got into places I could never get a large tractor into. Its a myth you need a large tractor to pound. Maybe if your using the FEL you do need a big one but the BX is great pounder from my perspective.

BX25 Pounding

 

[JWR]

Do you have an hydraulic remote or set of them on your BX to hook up things like the post pounder? I guess the DLBs have a lot of hydraulic stuff back there because of the backhoe role that my BX2200 and similar non-backhoe package tractors do not have.

 

[Megawisdumb]

Yes, my BX backhoe has several quick disconnects and I'm pounding in a few mins. The return goes straight into the hydro fill hole as its a massive rush of fluid that needs a home quickly. Its a 1/2 inch return and I rigged it up with a tight fit using an extra dip stick that got to meet my dremel. I've never used a large tractor to pound but I can't imagine its any easier...the springs perform the driving and they don't know what HP the tractor is. I'm normally running low RPM when I'm pounding..just need the lift a few feet.