Hustler Hydraulic lift cylinder

[jfischer]

I am trying to find some help in taking apart a lift assist cylinder on my Hustler X-One Mower. It has no flats, or holes for a spade wrench, and it is a cylinder that has the pump built on to the end of it.

Only thing on it is there is a hole (of which I thought could be a oil fill hole, and it looked like an safety allen screw with the solid center) Then neighbor went to take it out and tapped it to make sure the allen wrench was in it good, and knocked the center out, which I would think must have been a pressure bypass or something, as he has not gotten the cylinder apart yet, as he said the end cap just turns.

Attached is the best pic I can find of it.

 

[oldnslo]

Jeff
From the posted pictures it looks like there are electric wires connected to the black portion of that lift cylinder

Is it possible this is a linear actuator and not hydraulic cylinder?

 

[ArlyA]

It could be one of those motor/pump/cylinder things as well. I've not seen an actuator which such a small shaft.

 

[mrmikey]

I've not seen an actuator which such a small shaft.

I'm thinking it's just an actuator. Small shaft being just because it's lift only, no down pressure...just guessing tho.......Mike

 

[jfischer]

It is a hydraulic pump with the motor for the pump coming from those wires. It was leaking a hair out the wiper seal.

After the neighbor tried to unscrew the allen screw you see in the end, and thinking it was a security bit and ended up knocking the center into the cylinder and I hit the switch for just a second and hydraulic fluid cam shooting out, I know now that it is Hydrulic/electric. I had my doubts for years, but not now, and since the relief ball or whatever he knocked into it happened, now need to figure out how to get the end cap off to get inside. He said the cap was not that tight, so must have a big "O" ring in there. as it just turned when he tried to unscrew it, and unlike some cylinders where I have heard you can pull the rod out to catch a nut, then push it back in to release a snap ring that might be holding it, I don't think this one works that way, why I asked if anyone had ever seen such, and might know how to take it apart.

Jeff
From the posted pictures it looks like there are electric wires connected to the black portion of that lift cylinder

Is it possible this is a linear actuator and not hydraulic cylinder?

 

[jfischer]

I thought the same thing for years, but saw a hair of oil on the deck one day, and around the wiper seal at the end. After the neighbor thinking the black allen screw might be where you fill it, and he put a bit on it, and knocked the center in, (of which he thought was a security bit type) but found it must be a relief, or something that fell into the cylinder, it now has to come apart.

I'm thinking it's just an actuator. Small shaft being just because it's lift only, no down pressure...just guessing tho.......Mike

 

[jfischer]

You are correct, it is a pump in the end, the same size as the cylinder, and they have to have put it all together in some way, just asking to see if anyone out there has seen such a thing. I now have to get it apart to get whatever the small piece the neighbor knocked in it out, and plug the hole back. It is an allen screw, but must be coming from the inside out, as it will not back out when you try to unscrew it.

It could be one of those motor/pump/cylinder things as well. I've not seen an actuator which such a small shaft.

 

[oldnslo]

Jeff
From your description I agree sounds like a self contained electro-hydraulic cylinder. I have never taken one apart so not much help on how they are made.

 

[jfischer]

I have not seen one either until I bought this unit new and had them put it on it, as I am in a wheelchair, and can't push the lift pedal down.

I do know that the newer units they have gone to a cylinder that can be taken apart, and has a small hydro tank on the top of it, but it Will Not fit my unit.

 

[oldnslo]

Jeff
I did a couple of searches for electro hydraulic actuator and came across a company called hydromotion website hydromotion.com they build units that look very similar to yours and state they are a sealed unit. Found the same information on Parker website but their units look different

I am sure this is not what you wanted to hear.