Leaking Hydraulic Cylinder Repair: Replacing hydraulic cylinder seals on a John Deere 541 Loader

You need a seal kit for the gland and another kit for the piston in each cylinder. The lift cylinders are different from the tilt cylinders so you need 4 kits for the 2 lift cylinders and 4 different kits for the 2 tilt cylinders.
I did the lift cylinders 5 years ago and I said I wouldn't do it again but I'm glad I did. WAY easier this time. Last time I put one of the seals in backward on each lift cylinder. Got it right this time.

[@Ben-ex1kv]

This the type of stuff what should really be taught in schools! Thanks for showing us the ropes!

[@MrMikeChain]

For sure. And it would also save tractor owners alot of money and fuss.

[@UnderSprayedWhiteSkies]

Thank you very much for this video. I have a 527 loader and I had no idea it has an internal snap ring, and you have to use that orange removal ring to pull the packing carrier out. I was just about to throw in the towel and take the cylinders to the CAT service shop and brace myself for the sticker shock.

[@TheFritz423]

Glad it helped!

[@UnderSprayedWhiteSkies]

Hi again Fritz, unfortunately, I went 0 for 2 this morning. So frustrated. A friend helped me and followed your steps precisely, but the packing carrier still hung up. It was a good learning experience because we found that you have to keep the orange ring in the groove (precisely) as the packing carrier begins to pass over it. As you probably well know, the orange ring wants to wander out of the groove. We of course secured the rear of the cylinder, and we pulled on the ram w/a hand winch (aka come along) We don't know why neither ram would clear the groove. If I can buy several more of just the orange ring, I'll try again asap.

[@Waldgxnger]

Thanks! If i ever need it i will definitely come back

[@jhscheppele2448]

Yea John Deere got real cute, those kit were all in one package for $30, now you have to buy 2kits for each cylinder at $75.00. What a screw job for 2 dollars worth of o rings.

[@MichaelChandler1]

I have 541 loader that's leaking on the tilt cylinder too. Do by chance have a part number for the tilt seal kit...

[@jarrettkessler6872]

Well done!

[@6981bpd]

Good and helpful video.

[@coryferguson]

Well. Atleast now I have an idea what I'm stepping into.

[@edwardcardozo8325]

Nice

[@kyle_in_tex8422]

I remember your older video, you are getting better at it. :) Did you ever consider just buying the seals that leaked instead of both whole kits? (Or did you have problems with leak down?)

[@fosty.]

At 5:20 I tried something similar. I had a 12,000 lb winch attached to my car on one end and the tractor on the other end with chains and steel cable.
Still won't come out. It drags my car and breaks the cable.

[@hakimitchi1518]

Ineresting

[@Sundog0811]

The lift cylinders had the same design? With the need for a removal ring in the groove? My lift cylinder kit didn't come with the tool and came with snap rings instead.

[@TheFritz423]

Yes. if you take off the external snap ring then tap the gland down into the cylinder about an inch you'll see the groove the orange removal shim goes in. If you have the same model...

[@Sundog0811]

Ok thanks. John deere gave me the wrong seal kit then! Thanks for fast response.

[@rodneydufrain3623]

Any chance of getting the part numbers for the lift cylinder packing kits?.

[@TheFritz423]

I don't remember but there is a separate part number for the gland seals and the piston seals.

[@Belzon1]

Did the lift and tilt cylinders use the same kits?

[@TheFritz423]

I don't recall

[@joshhallenbeck307]

Fritz - what do you do for a living? how do you know how to do all this stuff?

[@jhscheppele2448]

It’s called life experiences.

[@TheEagle2018]

Will you kill some more coyotes for your cat?

[@jhscheppele2448]

You need some real wrenches instead of adjustable jaw wrenches. A trip to harbor freight is in order.

[@PhysicsofDark]

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