Go BottomSlop in loader cylinder mounts
 | MikeC
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2000-02-21 13017
I have a technical question that I need help with before I do something stupid... Why is there so much side-to-side slop between the cylinder ends (welded tubes) and loader & bucket brackets that they mount in? I can slide the cylinder ends side to side on the pin about a half inch. This is a stock 70A loader on a JD855, if it matters. I am tempted to put bushings or washers of some kind on either side to take up the extra space, so that the grease is retained better and the greased pin isn't as exposed to debris. Is there any reason not to do this? The only reasons I can think of for the extra clearance is for ease of assembly, and maybe to help the cylinders self-align. Thanks in advance.
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Add PhotoSlop in loader cylinder mounts
| Roger L.
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
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2000-02-21 13026
Well, it is more clearance than normal on loaders - which is about 1/4 inch total, but it won't hurt anything. If anything it will help. The space is for both of your reasons and one other: When your loader is twisted by a load or uneven ground it puts a twisting force on the pins and bushings. Some of this can be relieved by allowing sideways motion. It is real hard to shear, bend, or break something if it can jump sideways. This is one of the reasons why 3pt hitches and implements work better with a little play in them.
But if it bothers you, I just thought of something that should work. To keep out the grease and debris try this....Make up some washers by cutting 1/8 inch donuts out of the appropriate size soft hose. Space it with a few of these. Now it won't bounce around, but if the cylinder bushings need to slide they can do so by squashing those rubber "washers". Don't make it too tight. Leave at least 1/8" of free play. ....
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Add PhotoSlop in loader cylinder mounts
| David Paul
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2000-02-22 13046
The reason there is side play is two fold, one as Roger suggested is to allow some slop for twisting loads on the boom. The other and most important is to allow the loader cylinders to self align. Hydraulic cylinders that are used in loaders cannot tolerate significant side loads for several reasons. Side loads can bend cylinder rods, wear rod end bushings and pins quickly, and most all the seals and end cap will wear out very quickly. Loader cylinders used on compacts have a very low cross section to length ratio which makes them more prone to bending under side loads. Also by not having the pins completely enclosed the pins can bend or shear more easily than in they were completly captured inside the loader cylinder and mounting point. It is better to break or bend pins than other expensive parts. Just think of the pins as a mechanical fuse. ....
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Add PhotoSlop in loader cylinder mounts
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
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2000-02-22 13056
For what it's worth, my machines are subjected to more than their fair share of debris (I build golf courses & landscape). I looked at putting some form of shield over these points as you are, when I spoke to the techies at the loader manuf. co.'s (several of them) they all said the same thing...NO!! It seems if you try to keep the stuff out you actually do more to trap it in!! the best defence to dirt, etc. in there is grease gun, keep the gun full and close by, use it often, it is the cheapest insurance you can get... Best of luck. ....
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Add PhotoSlop in loader cylinder mounts
| MikeC
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2000-02-22 13084
Thanks for the info. All of these explanations make sense. This is exactly what I needed to stop my compulsion to "improve" something. I'll just grease more often. Those air-powered grease guns look interesting. Anyone have any experience with one? ....
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Add PhotoSlop in loader cylinder mounts
| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2000-02-23 13100
About grease guns: I bought typical box store products: 10 gal tank, 100 lbs. oilless compressor and several air tools. All told, not a great amount of money, and I don't expect great service from this type of equipment. My main interest was maintaining tire pressures, which I wanted to run at minimum during the winter. When it gets really cold, the tire pressures end up quite a bit below minimum, so I have to adjust them frequently.
The grease gun is handy, although I doubt that it develops any more pressure than a lever type hand gun, and the volume of grease per shot isn't much. In addition, I don't think it works well in the cold. I keep it inside, and it simply stopped working after several hours out in '20's weather.
Instructions with the compressor say that the pressure relief valve should be backed off and the compressor run for a few minutes at start up (to warm it up). Same at shut down. Pain in the but, and I guess this type of compressor doesn't last very long if you don't do it.
Guess all said, that isn't a very good recommendation. Anyway, the mass merchandizing stuff got me off the ground without a lot of expense. I expect that I'll use it for awhile and then end up getting more serious equipment. ....
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