TN55S loader (33LA) cylinder leak questions

mojoinco · Saturday at 11:05 PM

Hello Folks,

One of my bucket tilt cylinders started blowing massive amounts of hydraulic fluid. When under load (down pressure) or when returning to tilted back after being under load (more like it's cleaning out that side of the piston). There are 3 'bleed' holes on the upper part of the cylinder housing.

What purpose do they serve, and what is the symptom that the jet(s) of fluid should be telling me?

Made the faded blue on the other side look good - oh boy!

Thanks!

Harry in Ky · Saturday at 11:52 PM

CNH website shows multiple bucket cylinders for a 33lA, Which one do you have?

Farm Loader | New Holland Agriculture | MyCNH US Store

www.mycnhstore.com

WM75Guy · Sunday at 6:56 AM

Sounds like you blew a seal in the cylinder. The bleed holes allow the pressure to not build up where it isn't supposed to be in the cylinder. You can rebuild them yourself or take it to a hydraulic shop. Instead of buying the expensive NH seal kit they will just match everything up to generic seals and O-rings. Last cylinder I had rebuilt was on my hay grapple, cost me $100 which was less than the OEM seal kit.

mojoinco · 2025-08-01T13:21:42-0400

Thanks Folks, I thought I would have received a notification on the replies, so just checking back to update what I learned. Fortunately the loader frame data plate was still there and readable. 'MSL' was the key (and appearance). I figured out it is the 3rd of 4 (3 & 4 use the same kit, so being wrong on that choice is fine). Good to know that these may not be unique parts. The OEM seal kit (86582464) is list price at ~$291 at Messicks. Did not find any source aside from CNH dealers. Owww....

There are a lot of parts in that cylinder. Slightly surprised by it being #3. My tractor is a first model year build. Doesn't mean much, I know, dealer add on or just how long it took before it was sold and then ordered.

Looks like #2 & 19 are the key to it. Wished I wasn't so busy at the moment. At $300 I am going to look for a shop. Even if they charge me $300 and say $100 it's a good value. Parker Hose is in the area. Wasn't a positive impression last summer when they made me some hoses (added 3rd function to the loader) and quote for a couple of T's for a grapple bucket. Still need to get those. May as well price them at Bobcat (oem).