Buying old used valves?

[charlz]

I'm curious as to opinions on buying old used hydraulic valves. Someone has a two spool on Craigslist for $30. Probably an old loader valve. If it looks ok and spools move is it worth it to buy it and clean it up? or would you potentially have to put a lot of money into rebuilding it that it's not worth it?

The potential use would be for rear remotes.

Thanks!

 

[Foggy]

I'm interested in this too. Would be great to hear the recommendations of the experts. (Rear remote application in mind).

 

[kennyd]

That is a tough call without seeing it...the price is right but there is no real way to test it.

So thinking the worst as I usually do-you'd spent all that time fabbing up a mount, and plumbing it in and if it does not work then what? I think I would get new one...

 

[john_bud]

The "rebuilding" of a valve is just a couple o-rings or maybe quad rings and a few seals. Pretty easy stuff and cheap.

But the real wear is between the actual metal spool and the hole in the valve. Clearance is crazy tight. Remember that tight clearance is all that is holding back the pressure. If it wears, there is no real good way to "rebuild" it. Bores and spools are matched sets and you can't interchange. Rare valves that MUST be put back into service are plated up then machined back. Buck$$$$$ in a bucket.

Still, not all used valves are junk. Deals exist. For $30, I'd probably try one. Mostly they just leak and a few seals make them good to go.

jb

 

[charlz]

But the real wear is between the actual metal spool and the hole in the valve. Clearance is crazy tight. Remember that tight clearance is all that is holding back the pressure. If it wears, there is no real good way to "rebuild" it. Bores and spools are matched sets and you can't interchange. Rare valves that MUST be put back into service are plated up then machined back. Buck$$$$$ in a bucket.

Good info! Thanks! Looks like used valves are pretty much a crap shoot.

 

[banjodunn]

hey for thirty bucks well worth the try so long as the spools move freely enough and do not have a tight spot in their travel all should be good. However if you plan on using a cylinder on them that you dont want to keep adjusting if you strike internal leakage you can fit a proper hyd tap into the system so you can block off the line good luck there are still bargains to be had