Model 54 Backhoe Rotary Swing Cylinder - Conversion?

Hello. I have a Massey Ferguson 40 Industrial with a model 54 backhoe. The backhoe has a hydraulic rotary cylinder to swing the boom, instead of two regular cylinders. It looks like a yellow barrel. This one is leaking badly around the top seal, and the backhoe swings back and forth on its own as you ride around. You can use the lever to move it where you need it, but if you are on an incline or bump it, it will easily move side to side. It's as if the seal on the internal blade in the rotary cylinder is bad enough that it's not holding position, but I don't know. All the other regular cylinders work fine.

Seal kits for this thing seem to be mostly unavailable, and what prices I've seen are around $900. I'm not real enthusiastic about fixing it at that price, but I do need to get it working.

I've seen it mentioned that people have replaced the rotary cylinder with two standard double acting hydraulic cylinders to swing the boom back and forth. I'm interested in doing that, but I can't find any pictures online or any in-depth discussion of what is needed. I did find this set of plans for sale, though. https://www.gizmoplans.com/product/...o-linear-hydraulic-cylinder-conversion-plans/ But the plans are $100 and I have no idea whether they are worth that price.

I think I could do the conversion, but I'd really like to see something to go by before jumping into this. If anyone has any suggestions of what to do, I'd be happy to hear them! Thanks, as always.

...the backhoe swings back and forth on its own as you ride around

There should be transport chains to pull up the backhoe, set the chains, and then the chains not the hydraulic system hold the boom in place while riding around not actively using the backhoe.

Can you locate the owners manual for this unit and a service manual to know what system checks to make?

https://www.link_disallowed/content/ppp/massey-ferguson-40-tractor-loader-backhoe-operators-manual.pdf

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I'll describe the swinging issue better. I didn't really mean it swinging during transport. I know how to lock it down. But while digging, you can use the control to swing it where you want it, but if you are even slightly tilted to one side, the boom will quickly swing back to that side. You are constantly adjusting the side to side swing while you use it, because it has very little resistance. So if you have to pull up the stabilizers and drive a few feet away to set up again, the boom is definitely going to swing from side to side.

And it's also leaking from the shaft in the hydraulic motor/rotary cylinder really badly. I have all the manuals and do plan to run the pressure tests on it when I get the correct gauges, but regardless I'd really like to look into replacing the rotary cylinder with two normal double acting cylinders just for the simplicity of it, and because the seal kit is not available or ridiculously expensive.

I haven't run across anything online that really addresses the process. We have a 202 with a hoe, and ours swings around on its own too. It has other issues as well, but until I can figure out what to do with the rotation, the hoe will just sit in the woodline. No point working on other issues until that can be addressed.

It will be a shame to get rid of it due to what should be an easy fix, but I keep leaning toward just finding a somewhat newer machine with a more standard construction... If I could fix it, it would handle all my needs, but I just don't know that there's a realistic option.

I understand that. Mine is in really good condition other than this. Nothing else leaks, and it has new hoses almost everywhere. No rust.

If I figure out something, I'll certainly come back and update this. I've seen videos of people replacing the seals. That doesn't seem too bad, but it's just the cost of the seal kit that is the problem, if it can even be obtained.

I'm really curious about those conversion drawings I found online, but I don't want to pay $100 without some idea of what I'm getting.

Tslinger - on the 202, I don't know the model of your hoe, but for a 185 or 210, here is what the manual says about swing:



I can send you the procedure for checking the pressure if you email me. My email should be open.

akwells - sorry I'm not familiar with your tractor.

Honestly, I don't have a clue what model I have... I have to look at the plate every time, but it's one of those two flavors...

I have to say, I never considered the relief valves... I'll be out there this weekend, and I'll have to see if we have that paperwork... No sense in you going to the trouble to send it if I already have it.

I will not be pulling the machine out any time soon as I have too many projects going on already, but it sure would be nice to find it was just an adjustment. (I really doubt it, but we can all dream) Perhaps I'll hook it up in the spring, and see what I get...