John Deere 555A bucket pivot pin removal

Hello.
Im getting ready to replace the hoses, and have the bucket cylinders repacked on this track loader.
I read about making the hose removal easier by blocking the loader up.
Ive worked on a lot of cars and trucks, but not equipment. How are these pins removed? Are there any special tricks to it that you can pass along?
I want to do the job as safely and easily as I can.
Thanks for any help!
Max

(quoted from post at 22:19:16 09/22/20) Hello.
Im getting ready to replace the hoses, and have the bucket cylinders repacked on this track loader.
I read about making the hose removal easier by blocking the loader up.
Ive worked on a lot of cars and trucks, but not equipment. How are these pins removed? Are there any special tricks to it that you can pass along?
I want to do the job as safely and easily as I can.
Thanks for any help!
Max

Click to expand...

Set up to do this in a level flat area. Have the bucket on the ground when you remove the bucket cylinders. You may need to block (wood - no cinder blocks), or jack slightly, under the boom arms to relieve pressure the bucket pins.

As for blocking the loader arms in an up position, the normal method is to use a BOOM SERVICE LOCK BAR, aka safety lock, over one or both extended boom cylinder rods. This is a picture of a Bobcat borrowed from the internet but the concept is the same.


Here is a link to the parts drawing of the one for a 555A loader.

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/sidebyside/equipment/63983/referrer/search/pgId/52281

People have made there own from heavy angle iron cut to the length needed. Something like 3/8" x 3" x 3" angle, or larger/heavier. You need to fit it to the location, and to the length for the height you want. The Lock Bar(s) will need to be strong enough to support the loader without collapsing when you lower the boom onto the Lock Bar(s), shut the engine off, and put the boom lever in float as you will be working under it.

I don't know for certain but I expect the 555A Operator's Manual, OMT75124, should give you some info on the Boom Service Lock Bar and using it. Others may disagree, but I would also recommend you have the Technical Manual, JD # TM1292. Here is the link to the publications store for JD construction equipment. Just use 555A in the model search box.

https://www.johndeeretechinfo.com/

Here is a link to the on line parts catalog for the 555A:

https://partscatalog.deere.com/jdrc/navigation/equipment/63983

As for the pins removal should be straight forward when you look them over. I do think some of those are welded into the links on one side so you have to remove the link plate on the side with the bolts in the pins, then the side the pins are welded in if the cylinder won't slide off the pin.

Beware you are dealing with heavy parts and they take no mercy on fingers, hands or other body parts if you slip and they drop on you. Do you have something for hoisting the cylinders and links if needed?

Thank you very much for the information!