Non-repairable steering cylinder MF245?

[Dbridges]

I have a 1977 model MF245 (diesel), Serial #9A276365. It has a single steering cylinder on the left side. I removed it and took it to a hydraulic service center for repair. I obtained the repair kit from a MF dealer. However, upon tear down the service center says it is not a repairable cylinder. The cylinder rod is brad and the piston cannot be removed, i.e. there is no nut. The AgCo website shows PN1749201M91, which has a removable nut that allows the piston to be removed. My question is, did MF ever use a non-repairable cyclinder on the 245? Did they do an upgrade along the way?

 

[Jim.ME]

If you study the parts book, it shows they used cylinders with a rod/piston without a nut on some standard clearance tractors before Serial number 9A282529, which is the range your tractor is in. The 1749201M91 is used for serial numbers 9A282529 and after. 1749201M91 is used as the replacement cylinder for the steering cylinder on those earlier serial number tractors.

Also, some of the cylinders they show for the orchard tractors show a rod/piston combination. I believe the orchard tractors used two steering cylinders.

 

[Jim.ME]

And, Welcome to the forums.

 

[wore out]

I have a 1977 model MF245 (diesel), Serial #9A276365. It has a single steering cylinder on the left side. I removed it and took it to a hydraulic service center for repair. I obtained the repair kit from a MF dealer. However, upon tear down the service center says it is not a repairable cylinder. The cylinder rod is brad and the piston cannot be removed, i.e. there is no nut. The AgCo website shows PN1749201M91, which has a removable nut that allows the piston to be removed. My question is, did MF ever use a non-repairable cyclinder on the 245? Did they do an upgrade along the way?

A good hydraulic shop should able to cut the cylinder apart on a lathe, make a new rod, then weld it back together.

Obviously won't be CHEAP, but a viable solution to the problem if you intend on keeping the tractor in good working order.

 

[Dbridges]

Thanks. I guess I will have to replace the cylinder with the new 1749201M91, but that is an expensive "repair" for what out to be $50 in parts and the small of labor to repack. The replacement cylinder is approx $650. I may pick up the old cylinder and see if I can cut the rod, repair, reweld, and complete the rebuild. What have I got to lose?

 

[Dbridges]

I hadn't seen Wore Out's response before I responded.