JCB Telehandler Seized Pin Removal – Boom Head Pin Removed On Site

A seized pin on a JCB telehandler boom can be removed on site without damaging the bores, using drilling and tapping, a hollow ram jack and, if needed, thermic lancing. Simply Welding removed a seized pin from the boom head of a JCB telehandler, where it had seized solid in its bores. We removed it on site, with no damage to the bores or the hydraulic ram, so the machine only needed a new pin.

Job Description

We removed a frozen pin from the boom head of a JCB telehandler. The pin had seized in its bores and would not move.

The Problem

Before we were called, the customer had tried to get the pin out themselves. The pin end was badly mushroomed and damaged, which made the job harder.

Drilling and Tapping

We set up a magnetic drill on the boom head and drilled through the centre of the pin. The hole was then tapped to take a high tensile threaded rod.

Jacking

With the rod screwed into the pin, we used a hollow ram jack and a hydraulic power pack to pull on the pin, applying heat to the boom head at the same time. The pin still would not move.

Thermic Lancing

We then used an exothermic lance to burn a hole through the centre of the pin. With the core removed, the pin was able to shrink as it cooled, which released its grip on the bores.

Removal

Even then the pin was a real fight, but with steady work it was driven out.

Result

The seized pin was removed with no damage at all to the bores or the hydraulic ram, so the telehandler only needed a new pin rather than costly bore repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you remove a seized pin without damaging the bores?

We work in stages. The pin is drilled and tapped so a high tensile rod can be fitted, then pulled with a hollow ram jack while heat is applied. If it still will not move, an exothermic lance burns out the core of the pin so it can shrink and release its grip on the bores.

Why does thermic lancing help free a seized pin?

Burning a hole through the centre of the pin removes its core. As the remaining pin cools, it shrinks away from the bores, which breaks the grip and lets it be driven out.

Can seized pins be removed on site?

Yes. We remove seized pins on site with our mobile equipment, so the machine does not need to be transported to a workshop.

Should I try to hammer out a seized pin myself?

It is best to call us early. On this job, earlier attempts had badly mushroomed and damaged the end of the pin, which made it harder to remove. Avoiding damage to the pin end and bores keeps the repair quicker and cheaper.

Want to see more of what we do?
Case Studies | Gallery

Seized pin on your machine? Call 07747 682451 or send us some photos via WhatsApp.