Dirt falls falls onto backhoe outrigger cylinder/rod

[JeffInCO]

I have a Woods BH90-X backhoe. Often times, when I raise the outriggers (stabilizers), dirt falls onto the piston rod and top of the cylinder as the outriggers go up.

One of the cylinders is now slowly leaking, and it occurred to me that I'm dragging dirt into the cylinder, which is hopefully wiped off by the seal, every time I raise the outriggers. This is pretty much unavoidable, short of hopping off of the backhoe and brushing off the outriggers each time I raise them.

If I'm dragging dirt all the way into the cylinder, that dirt is entering the tractor hydraulic system as well... hopefully filtered, but not good in any case!

What to do?

Should I fix the leak sooner, rather than later (it doesn't really affect operation at this point)? Is there a way to avoid this down the road?

How hard is it to replace a hydraulic cylinder seal?

Jeff

 

[J_J]

Have you considered some kind of boot like device that will keep the dirt off the cyl rod.

As far as replacing seals, it depends. Some are easy and others medium hard to difficult

Gortite® Standard Rod Boots | Stock Protective Covers | Gortite | A&A Family

Demolition Accessories: Chisel Paste, Auto Lubrication System, Cylinder Rod Protector, Windshield Protector protector

http://www.nkwegroup.co.za/cylinder_seal_protector_nkweminingservices.php

You can make these your self using a tire intertube.

 

[olde man]

does your rod have any scoring or dings on it

 

[pclausen]

Does the BH90 not have steel skirts on the outriggers?

I have a Woods 1050 and it has these skirts as seen here:

I have noticed many times that dirt/rocks falls from the pads and without those skirts, my rods would be in bad shape.

 

[Combustix]

those skirts look good, though I don't have them. Usually I bring up one stab at a time and if dirt falls on the rod I will stop and brush the dirt off so as not to have seal issues. Kinda a pain but having a skirt might be the trick

 

[JeffInCO]

No scoring or dings on the rods yet, but I definitely do not have skirts. Sounds like they're not optional for a backhoe.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[nickel plate]

Does the BH90 not have steel skirts on the outriggers?

I have a Woods 1050 and it has these skirts as seen here:

I have noticed many times that dirt/rocks falls from the pads and without those skirts, my rods would be in bad shape.

Is that hydraulic fluid all over your floor? If so, at least you can mop it up easier due to the concrete floor sealer that you have down.

 

[Carl_NH]

I have a Woods BH90-X backhoe. Often times, when I raise the outriggers (stabilizers), dirt falls onto the piston rod and top of the cylinder as the outriggers go up.

One of the cylinders is now slowly leaking, and it occurred to me that I'm dragging dirt into the cylinder, which is hopefully wiped off by the seal, every time I raise the outriggers. This is pretty much unavoidable, short of hopping off of the backhoe and brushing off the outriggers each time I raise them.

If I'm dragging dirt all the way into the cylinder, that dirt is entering the tractor hydraulic system as well... hopefully filtered, but not good in any case!

What to do?

Should I fix the leak sooner, rather than later (it doesn't really affect operation at this point)? Is there a way to avoid this down the road?

How hard is it to replace a hydraulic cylinder seal?

Jeff

JeffinCO,

I have a B21 TLB since new and live in rocky nh. The dirt isnt going to affect the seals as it will wipe off but rock scoring will. I have unprotected cylinders and digging in rock and ledge eventually one hits the shaft. When I dinged the shaft of the outriggers I used some used plumber sandpaper (fine rolled sandpaper) to remove the ding but the damage was done and it leaks a spot on the floor - no big deal IMO.

My outriggers leak down over a week or two leaving a small spot of Hyd fluid on the floor. I dont worry about it anymore - its part of the use of the machine. I have a small left front FEL leak too but again its a machine and I use it.

A pint or so of Hyd fluid over a year is not something I am concerned over.

Carl

 

[pclausen]

Is that hydraulic fluid all over your floor? If so, at least you can mop it up easier due to the concrete floor sealer that you have down.

It is indeed. When the guy brought over the backhoe last month when I purchased if from a local craigslist ad, he snagged the low pressure return line while unmounting and it dumped a good bit of fluid on my shop floor. Cleaned up real easy with some oil absorber.

Yeah, the sealer really helps keep the floor neat. I used UCoat It Epoxy floor coating. It has held up well over the last 10 years.

Pic from 2002:

Pic from 2005:

Pic from 2006:

Pic from 2010:

And a few weeks ago:

As you can tell from the pics, I haven't exactly been gentle on the floor over the years...