Deere 824K center pivot bearings

SN#1DW824KXLB0636188 Hi gents, I am thinking my center pivot bearings are toast but just had a couple questions and have a video for reference.

1. Based on the vid, can someone confirm that this is the bearings or something else?
2. Since this unit will only get 100hrs or so of use for the next couple years, can I throw in a couple teflon shims to limp it through and take out the play or is that a really bad plan?
3. The service manual shows roller jacks on the bucket and the loader frame but I assume the bucket weight keeps it on the ground. Can I use a excavator to pull it forward once the pins are out with the bucket just skidding on the ground or is there something I am not thinking about?

The way I’ve always separated an articulation hitch is to block under the front chassis then use a fork lift under the rear chassis and pull it backwards.

Posting a down loadable zip file is not a great way to post up videos on some else's web site. Just way too many people packaging bad things to contaminate other people's stuff. I would suggest posting the video on YouTube or other video hosting site for other people to view. As for checking the play in the center hitch, you can sit in the seat of the loader and gently press the bucket up and down against the ground while observing movement in the front half of the machine. The front will move back and forth slightly. If all you are going to use the machine is 100 hours it probably isn't an issue. When they are bad the back of the operator seat will slap you every time you pick a load with the bucket.

Ya sorry about that. Here is the youtube link. When driving over rough terrain empty I notice it but not when the bucket is full. Good insight Nige on supporting the rear and pulling it back.

I think the first thing you should attempt to determine is whether the play is a loss of preload in the taper bearings or wear in the bushings in the hitch. From that brief video it looks like loss of preload. Can you post up an exploded view of the parts manual.

I don't think it has bushings?

I should have said spacer. See Item H. If it was me I’d try to loosen the bolts D that secure the lower bearing retainer plate Item J and try to pry it downwards a hair. Next cut up & remove the shims Item O and re-tighten the bolts. Depending on what thickness of shim pack is in there it might just tighten up the bearings enough that you can hold off pulling the hitch apart for a while longer. Worth a shot.

Thanks Nige, that is a good idea I had not considered.

Check items E and H in the lower pivot bearing , they are the spacers that keep the lower pin located in the frame. If one is broken or missing that would be the source of the up and down movement. The shims only set the preload or end play on the bearings and couldn't cause the amount of play you have.

ohdeereme said: Check items E and H in the lower pivot bearing , they are the spacers that keep the lower pin located in the frame. If one is broken or missing that would be the source of the up and down movement. The shims only set the preload or end play on the bearings and couldn't cause the amount of play you have. Click to expand... Ok, will do. One thing to note is the upper pivot pin has the same amount of up/down movement but I guess if one spacer was broken or missing it could cause the others to fail at a quicker rate. (Although the upper doesn't appear to have the same spacers) Can those spacers be accessed by just pulling the pin without splitting the loader section from the frame?

The upper pivot doesn't have those spacers, only the bottom. I've has several smaller loaders with this problem and was able to install the spacer without splitting the machine.

ohdeereme said: The upper pivot doesn't have those spacers, only the bottom. I've has several smaller loaders with this problem and was able to install the spacer without splitting the machine. Click to expand... I presume the "spacer" is the bushing in here? Any tips on getting it out? Are you able to get a plate in there at the top of the bushing and pull it out the bottom with a hollow ram?

Only the lower pin is restrained from moving up & down by adjustment of the spacers and bearings with shims. The upper pin is not restrained at all, so whatever up/down movement there is in the lower pin the upper one will have exactly the same. SlatcoAu said: I presume the "spacer" is the bushing in here? Any tips on getting it out? Are you able to get a plate in there at the top of the bushing and pull it out the bottom with a hollow ram? Click to expand... That’s spacer “H” on your earlier diagram. If the pin is out already it should almost fall out. If it won’t move run a couple of circular rings of weld around the ID, that should shrink it enough to let it fall out.