Farmtrac 60 steering cyl leak

[ColdBlackWind]

My tractor is pouring fluid from a small hole or vent in the cylinder on the end away from the rod or rh side as it is mounted. The last time it leaked it was around the packing on the rod end. Can’t figure out what this is. Any help appreciated.

 

[ColdBlackWind]

It definitely is a vent.

 

[ptsg]

Can you share a picture? So we get an idea of what type of cylinder this is.

 

[ColdBlackWind]

I will when I pull it off to rebuild it. Kit on the way from Joes Tractors in NC.

 

[ColdBlackWind]

I have attached pics of cylinder and rod. The vent has no check valve. It is just open to atmosphere from inside the cylinder on the end away from the packing gland. The rod passes through the stepped down part of the cylinder. There is no bearing or seal in that area. I tried to show that area but the camera doesn’t do well looking down in the bore. It seems without a seal on that end to prevent fluid from filling the cavity where the vent is it is destined to leak out that vent. There is no seal in the kit that goes in that end of the cylinder. Scratching my head here.

 

[TractorTech]

Interesting. I see two blue u-cup seals on the bench. Where does the second one go? That would be the one for the rod end, but I agree, I don't see it going in the bore easily.

 

[Harry in Ky]

There has to be a seal on that end. On the Ford tractors that used steering cylinders similar to that the "stepped down area" as you put it, unscrews from the larger diameter barrel portion. The seal and wiper involved was accessed while it was apart. Your photo don't show the joint area in enough detail to confirm that yours is made that way or not.

 

[ColdBlackWind]

There has to be a seal on that end. On the Ford tractors that used steering cylinders similar to that the "stepped down area" as you put it, unscrews from the larger diameter barrel portion. The seal and wiper involved was accessed while it was apart. Your phots don't show the joint area in enough detail to confirm that yours is made that way or not.

You might have just solved my problem. I think I am looking at the bottom of the packing gland in the opposite end through the cylinder bore. The parting line for that end is almost invisible! Right next to a weld. I will chuck it up in the vise tomorrow and give her a crank. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. My tool to install the cup seals in the gland gets here tomorrow so all may come together!!!! The first time I rebuilt the cylinder I did not replace seals in that end. Just ignorance on my part just a little discussion means everything. Through all this I have eyeballed a steering cylinder off a Ford 5610. I believe that pup can be made to fit my rig. Very available and cheap compared to the Farmtrac stuff I can’t complain. This cylnder and the radiator are the inly components that have failed on this tractor 2000 model

 

[TractorTech]

Essentially, that is a 5000 series Ford copy

 

[Harry in Ky]

Having never seen the cylinder you're working on I have no idea how it's made or how that joint comes apart. I only know the cylinder can't operate without a seal and wiper on both sides of a double ended shaft.