Dump bed insert help?!?

mcrawford · Apr 13, 2014

Hi all, I have a dump bed insert made by Mini Dump. I do not know anything about it only it is ran by an electric hydraulic pump and it is 8x10. I bought it used and now I cannot get it to run correctly.

At first when we powered it up the bed went up and made it half way up then out of a pin hole sized hole in the cylinder the fluid shot out. I cleaned it up replaced the wiring (switch, battery cables etc.) with new wires exactly ho it was set up before. Then I changed out the old fluid and added the correct fluid.

Now as soon as I hook it up to the battery it activates and will not shut off unless I pull the cable off the battery.

Can anyone give me some ideas on what may be my issue??

Thanks!

George2615 · Apr 13, 2014

It sounds like your up relay is stuck or the button (switch) you push to make it go up is stuck or shorted. You also say the cylinder has a pinhole that fluid shot out of. I don't think a hydraulic cylinder should have a pinhole or fluid will come out every time you use it.

mcrawford · Apr 13, 2014

thanks for your response! I was hoping it might be something simple..

The pinhole in the cylinder is from the manufacturer. It is a power up and gravity down unit. Is it for air so it can gravity feed down?
Also the pinhole is 3/4 of the way up on the cylinder.

George2615 · Apr 13, 2014

By the way. Welcome to TBN

In your first post you said it was only halfway up when oil came out. I can understand the hole to let air in for the gravity down. Maybe it was up more than you think if fluid came out. The oil (fluid) shouldn't be on the side of the cylinder with the air bleed hole. Maybe the cylinder seal has a leak. The electrical part I mentioned before.

mcrawford · Apr 13, 2014

Thanks! I have been reading posts on here for a long time. Now that I have an issue that I cannot figure out, I thought this would be the perfect place to ask. There are tons of good people with good information.

Since this is my first time working on hydraulics, would I be better off getting a new cylinder or is it easy to get a new seal set and fix it?

George2615 · Apr 13, 2014

I would take it to a hydraulic shop to have it checked out. Without knowing the brand name of the cylinder it may be hard to locate parts. If you know the cylinder brand and can get a replacement seat kit you can replace it. If not replacement cylinders can be obtained at Northern tool, Tractor Supply, Surplus Center Etc. (many places) Just need to know the mounting style, cylinder diam. stroke.