Hydraulic Cylinder Doesn't Fully Retract - Normal?

kingofbytes · May 15, 2020

Hi All TBN-ers!

I recently put on a hydraulic side link to my Kioti CK2610. It appears that it doesn't fully retract based on the 'silver' reveal. My hydraulic top link does not have this problem. My question to the group: Is this normal? The pic you are looking at is "fully retracted". Can anyone give me guidance?

Thanks!

Industrial Toys · May 15, 2020

It could just be paint. Usually there is some exposed bright cylinder rod showing. Real question has to be, was it ever any different? Then, I might expect some air.

RickB · May 15, 2020

Measure total rod travel and compare that value to the length of the barrel itself. Should be within about 3 to 3-1/2 inches to allow for the width of the piston and the part of the gland and end cap within the barrel.

Industrial Toys · May 15, 2020

A should be, approximation isn't going to tell him anything. Not when he is wondering is an inch should be there or not.

RickB · May 15, 2020

Contact the vendor and get the stroke spec of the cylinder. Or find your invoice and do an internet search of the part number, the stroke spec might come up in the results.

RickB · May 15, 2020

Industrial Toys said:
A should be, approximation isn't going to tell him anything. Not when he is wondering is an inch should be there or not.

Very helpful. Thanks for encouraging me to come up with a better contribution.

MtnViewRanch · May 15, 2020

Measure the stroke, I would guess that it is 4". It is very common to have part of the remaining extended rod not painted. I would bet that your side link and top link were not built in the same facility and may explain the exposed part of the rod not being painted.

Industrial Toys · May 15, 2020

Can't say I recall seeing a lot of cylinders that don't have some shiny rod showing. Nor any, actually.

rScotty · May 16, 2020

Is that normal? I don't know what's normal or not for your cylinder, but none of mine do that that I've noticed....not that I notice that much.

I had one cylinder recently that was not completely retracting. It turns out that the end nut that holds the piston in place was never tightened right and was coming loose. The only way I can see to get real information is to take the hoses off the cylinder and compress it until you feel a hard stop. You ought to be able to do that by hand or using the lift arm as a lever. You might even be able to tell if the nut is coming loose.