Blown seals

[KWentling]

Wondering anyones opinion or experience with this. I have an old ('67) Case 830 with a Koyker loader (probably a little newer than the tractor, but not by much as it has rawhide piston seals) I handle big square hay bales with. The tractor sets outside for two or three weeks between uses. This past summer one of the bucket cylinders blew the seal in the head, I assume from pressure build up from setting in the sun. Didn't see or hear it happen but you could see there was hydraulic oil sprayed out. I replaced that seal and now the other cylinder did the same thing. I replaced that seal today. I've never heard of this before and I've been around equipment for 40 years. Is this just old age (of the seals, not me) or is there some other cause I should be looking for? I could tie the valve handle back to relieve the pressure but shouldn't need to. Any thoughts?

 

[Soundguy]

Paired cyls are also called sister cyls.. any time you repalce an old seal in a sister cyl.. it pays to do em both. they are just as old.. and just as worn.

Once I shut bown my tractors with FEL's.. I always move the fel controls thru all motions to make sure the system is 'neutral'.

soundguy

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Soundguy is correct about the sister cylinders. They have both moved the exact amount over their lifetime. Barring anything very unusual, always repair them in pairs. If not, you have one healthy cylinder and one old one. The healthy one does all the work placing more wear on it and will cause it to fail prematurely.

About your seals, the sun heating it had nothing to do with it. I am going to assume that the cylinders are mounted rod up. If so, the piston seals were worn. When that happens, the fluid leaks past into the rod end. Now the rod end holds less fluid than the piston end because you have the rod taking up space. Move fluid from the piston end to the rod end, and you are pressurizing the rod end. It won't be any higher than the piston end, but it does pressurize. That and your old seals, which do break down, and there go your seals. Even the new polyurethane and fabric seals of your style will rot. I hope you change your hyd oil at regular intervals. This helps seals last longer. Was it leaking or did the wiper push out?

 

[KWentling]

Thanks for the replys. The rods are down in this loader. I too relieve all the pressure when I park the tractor. I put the lift in float and then work the bucket valve until it has completely settled. Yes the cylinders were leaking but not until after they blew when parked. It blew through the wipers on both of them, as in they had tears in the lips. I've changed fluid twice since I've owned it (10 years) and change the filter yearly. Hour meter shows 13k+ and hasn't worked since I've owned it. I probably only put 10 hours a year on it now. Tractor is old and worn out and hopefully I'll only run it a couple of more years before replacing it, so I'm trying not to stick any more money in it than I have to to keep it going.
Still seems strange they would let go sitting instead of when handling 1400 lbs. bales.

 

[4720 OWNER]

Any penguins around? I heard they can be real chummy with seals.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Hour meter shows 13k+ and hasn't worked since I've owned it.
Still seems strange they would let go sitting instead of when handling 1400 lbs. bales.

Are you sure your neighbor isn't borrowing it when you're not around?

 

[KWentling]

Got gobs of rabbits but I haven't seen any penguins lol. Don't think the neighbors could figure out how to start it! There's a little trick to it.

 

[Farmerford]

Wayne County Hose:

Welcome back!

I am glad you have returned to the board. You have been very generous with your time and have helped many posters with hydraulic problems.

I don't blame you for leaving, the civility of discourse on this board leaves a lot to be desired. I suspect it is one of the reasons many members don't post more. It's discouraging to try to share your thoughts and then to get flamed. A simple "I am not sure that is correct" makes the point without hurting someone's feelings.

Chuck Ford

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Wayne County Hose:

Welcome back!

I am glad you have returned to the board. You have been very generous with your time and have helped many posters with hydraulic problems.

I don't blame you for leaving, the civility of discourse on this board leaves a lot to be desired. I suspect it is one of the reasons many members don't post more. It's discouraging to try to share your thoughts and then to get flamed. A simple "I am not sure that is correct" makes the point without hurting someone's feelings.

Chuck Ford

Chuck,

Thanks for the kind words. I was checking in and helping people via p.m. But truthfully, hated to see people struggle needlessly. I am going to watch what I post a lot more carefully and am also going to help people that appreciate it and deserve it. I believe that I was guilty of some lack of civility in the past, but I hope that I have improved. I also learned to type as if my mom was reading over my shoulder. Depending on who initiates the thread, sometimes I will just remain silent.

I do also have some things to do which will take up a lot more of my time, so I can't check in as often as I used to. Between building my house and preparing for an event in July, my time is almost all accounted for. I also never thought I would have to show my builder how to install I-joists.

Thanks again, Andy.

 

[Soundguy]

Any penguins around? I heard they can be real chummy with seals.

I just heard a joke about a penguin and blown seals... unfortunately.. probably can't post it here!

soundguy