Cylinder rod pitting - How bad is this?

[dstig1]

I am refurbing and modifying an old Meyers ST90 snow plow for my tractor (SSQA from truck mount conversion). It looks to have sat outside for years. The angle cylinders have a few pits on the exposed chrome, but don't look real bad. I have no experience in what is good vs bad for this or how to handle it. Can I sand these pits out with fine emery cloth, is it no big deal as-is, or do I toss and buy new. I haven't tried to move the cylinders yet. The fluid that drained out was pretty murky, of course.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[magicheater]

I would use crocus cloth just to remove the oxidation so the seals are not compromised and then see if the seals leak after using. If they don't just grease them up in the off season to ****** any more oxidation. Worth a shot as they don't look that bad. IMHO

 

[dstig1]

OK - can do. I wasn't sure if taking an abrasive to it would ruin the chrome more, but then I guess if it is bad as-is, it can't get any worse, now can it? I'm bumping up against just simply replacing them, so if there isn't an easy fix like this, then it won't much matter. I didn't think they looked real bad so perhaps a try at saving them is worth it.

 

[rsewill]

Yes, clean them up and happily use them. Maybe they'll leak a bit but not enough to be a problem.

 

[Groo]

Even if it doesn't work, you wont have that much time or money tied into the rehab.

 

[CJONE]

Clean them up with some 220 grit in the bad areas, use them if they leak snug the packing nut up just until it quits leaking. If you u can't get them to quit leaking replace them. CJ

 

[dstig1]

Got it - will do. Thanks for the help, everyone.

 

[wdchyd]

I'd more concerned with the murky hyd oil......best to flush/purge the cyls before you hook them to your tractor

 

[petes]

Those are single acting cyinders, right? If so, they don't have hydraulic fluid pressure on the rod end of the piston or end seal so as long as the piston seal is good, no worries. As suggested, clean up the rusty spots with some fine abrasive cloth (or 400-600 grit wet-dry sandpaper), wipe some oil on the rods and you're probalby good to go.

As for the schmucky oil - drain it out, and also out of whatever system they were plumbed into.. watery oil will cause cylinder pitting and subsequent leaks, tears up pumps and causes valves to rust and freeze in the winter.

 

[dstig1]

Petes - you raise a good point. They are single acting, so they shouldn't affect the seal. I guess I wasn't thinking...

I am planning to flush them with some fresh hyd fluid, and still need to see if they even move, though I suspect they will move fine once I break them loose. They did have quick connects on them, so they were still sealed to a decent degree, before I pulled them off. They weren't open and filled with water or anything, and weren't connected to anything else. Not much to it. They will connect to my 3rd function ports on the tractor, once I get it that far along, so I want them clean enough to not cause trouble in the system.

Thanks again, folks!