Im sorry if this has been a topic of discussion or im in the wrong place. Im new to this (forum and equipment). I recently picked up a john deere jd400 backhoe loader. The thing runs awesome and aside from some fluid changes and needing a set of tires ive not had any issues. Until last night. It needed new pins in the backhoe bucket and linkage but just like any dumbass who knows better I have been using it anyway. "ill fix it later" Well last night i broke not only a pin but one of the links on the bucket. at first glance i figured no big deal ill weld it up and good as new and throw a new pin in it. that is until i really looked and theyre made out of cast iron from the looks of it. Im told thats an obsolete part. Is there a place to buy aftermarket links? Would machining a new set of links be ok? out of some abrasion resistant plate or something? Also the pins albeit not super expensive if im gonna go the route of machining new links might as well make the pins too. I have access to a machine shop so the work isnt an issue. not knowing what materials to use is. any help would be great.
Welcome to HEF Ryan ! If you know the part number of the link try the site listed below. Is your machine a straight 400, 400A, 410? Post a picture of the machine and link. If it has a serial plate post that as well. https://www.brokentractor.com/ Here is an example https://www.brokentractor.com/p/john-deere-backhoe-h-link-t39046-t39046/
It's a jd400. I checked that site and it wasn't listed. It's a model 94 backhoe I believe. Here's a pick of the numbers on the other side link.
Sorry phones a broke p.o.s too.lol
well with lack of a better option i figured id give making my own links a shot. after talking with a salvage parts guy a couple hours away and hearing his thoughts on it i figured what the hell. worst case is it dont work. well it wasnt working to begin with so i wasnt gonna be out anything but my time. The new links are made of 1"x3" mild steel flat bar with 1/2" stand off welded on one end and 3/8" on the opposite end to account for spacing of the links inside to outside. end result is a link that is identical in length and thickness but far beefier in the center. I turned down a piece of 4140 for the pin. that will need replaced due to not being heat treated. but it served its purpose for fit up and proof of concept. Its been done a little over a wk. I have yet to do any serious digging with it but so far it works perfectly. far less slop and twisting movements than before. So at the end of the day i am calling it a success. For now anyway. Still gotta paint it...figure ill do that when i pull it back apart to replace the pin.