Dented cylinder

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

6Sunset6
The last couple of pictures sure look like there was another tab welded on the stop plate to make the bucket stop sooner. Looks like that area gets a fair amount of wear. By the remains of the welds, I'd guess it had another 1/8" thick tab on there.

As for the backwards mounted cylinder on the thumb - I'd bet they did it that way because they expect the cylinder body to take some abuse with no porblems, whereas the rod getting bumped would cause an instant leak when that damage tears out seals. Same reasoning for the loader lift arm cylninders mounting - mfrs try to keep the rods protected form whatever damage might result in the line of work.
I know they build these thumbs as a generic an add-on, so they make them a single mounted unit. To me, they should have the cylinder on the back side of the bucket out of the way -- but that would require more work to fit to specific buckets.

 

[6sunset6]

You are right. I think there were a couple of tabs welded in there. Maybe if I weld all around 4 sides the new ones will stay.

 

[6sunset6]

Welded on tabs. Looks better . Cylinder rods are well clear.
Third picture extension on the jaw so maybe I don't have to turn the bucket over to grab something. I know foam and a clamp won't work permanently.
Turned the cylinder around, looks better but would still dent with out hard stops.
Hydraulics, still on topic
My wife is making me go on vacation so it will be a few weeks.

 

[wdchyd]

Looks good 6sunset6......:thumbsup:

 

[sizzami]

first the cylinder should be spun rite way to
second I am curious about the damage too. ie what parts in the system could inflict enough damage to the tube to make it stop functioning? has it stopped? if not use it. you are all ready pushing a machined plug down the bore every time you extend retract extend

 

[wdchyd]

first the cylinder should be spun rite way to
second I am curious about the damage too. ie what parts in the system could inflict enough damage to the tube to make it stop functioning? has it stopped? if not use it. you are all ready pushing a machined plug down the bore every time you extend retract extend

The real harzard is when the dent in the barrel chunks off a piece of the piston head and goes in his tractor and screws up a valve with the metal flakes/filings......

If the piston head does not stroke over the dent then it would do no harm...

 

[nickel plate]

Welded on tabs. Looks better . Cylinder rods are well clear.
Third picture extension on the jaw so maybe I don't have to turn the bucket over to grab something. I know foam and a clamp won't work permanently.
Turned the cylinder around, looks better but would still dent with out hard stops.
Hydraulics, still on topic
My wife is making me go on vacation so it will be a few weeks.

6sunset6,
I hope you re-hooked up the hydraulics to test the closing bite fit of the grapple teeth to the cutting edge of the bucket. Absolutely good luck on the grapple re-make, you're a braver man than I.

 

[RickB]

I am curious about the damage too. ie what parts in the system could inflict enough damage to the tube to make it stop functioning?

1. Tramp metal removed from the barrel or piston and introduced to the hydraulic system.
2. Nearly instantaneous failure of the piston seal(s) drastically reducing the clamping force of the grapple as oil bypasses the piston.

#1 is likely, #2 is guaranteed.

 

[sizzami]

The real harzard is when the dent in the barrel chunks off a piece of the piston head and goes in his tractor and screws up a valve with the metal flakes/filings......

If the piston head does not stroke over the dent then it would do no harm...

that is true I took for granted that you would unhook the hose from the opposite end of the cylinder. and looking back I would say fix the mounting problems and replace the cylinder is the safest bet.
congratulations you get the rare tbn , I was wrong , you were right and thank you for pointing it out sir.

 

[6sunset6]

6sunset6,
I hope you re-hooked up the hydraulics to test the closing bite fit of the grapple teeth to the cutting edge of the bucket. Absolutely good luck on the grapple re-make, you're a braver man than I.

First cut off the current ends of the jaw, then install new cylinder, then close jaw, then clamp extention plate and jaw section in place, then tack weld, then do the other side, then check motion , then final welding, then paint.
I think I want the jaw to hit the bucket just before the cylinder bottoms out.
Have to install a hard stop on the retract side as well. Thats what started this whole problem.