bassgrinder
Member
Here is a simple means to diagnose as to which component the problem lies in.
Install a tee in the line that runs to the bottom of the lift cylinder and a gauge (0-3000lb) off that tee.
When you lift up the body the gauge will reflect the pressure going into the cylinder as the body lifts.
When you set the controls to lower the pressure should drop as the body lowers and zero at the bottom. If the pressure drops considerably while the body does not move then the valve J J mentioned that releases pressure back to the tank should be working ok, and the likely culprit is the cylinder hanging up.
If the pressure holds with the controls in lower mode or only drops a little and holds the remainder of the pressure, then the before mentioned valve is at fault.
If the latter is the case and you also installed a length of hose and a valve before the gauge you could then
1) Shut the valve,
2) Remove the gauge and
3) Use the valve to release the pressure in a container or the reservoir itself.
Now if the body boy lowers normally while doing this then the cylinder is ok, and it is time to get to work on that valve.
Good luck and as some said always take caution with pressurized or potently pressurized hoses and fittings.
One last note if you install the hose gauge and valve in a manner that makes it possible, then I would leave it in place after you are done (shutting off the valve until I needed to read pressure again to prolong the life of the gauge) If you lift a foot or so and read your gauge with enough loads of known weight while taking note of the pressure, then that pressure will give a rough idea of your weight if you don’t know and want to, the calculations needed to tell exact weight would be complicated, but it would be easy simple and accurate comparison between loads.
Edit If you remove both hoses with the body up and there was no presure on the bottom then the valve is ok and the cylinder likely needs some TLC. I msut piont out also that if this is the case and it HAD been the valve the body would have come slaming down with nothing to slow or stop it, (unless you had a safety stop of some sort some dumps have then installed ands some dont) if you had your body in the wrong place at that time it would not have been good, Just a freindly reminder to be carefull of stored energy in these things and try avoid working alone while doing this kind of work, even a youngster to run and get help is better than being pinned and alone
Wayne
Install a tee in the line that runs to the bottom of the lift cylinder and a gauge (0-3000lb) off that tee.
When you lift up the body the gauge will reflect the pressure going into the cylinder as the body lifts.
When you set the controls to lower the pressure should drop as the body lowers and zero at the bottom. If the pressure drops considerably while the body does not move then the valve J J mentioned that releases pressure back to the tank should be working ok, and the likely culprit is the cylinder hanging up.
If the pressure holds with the controls in lower mode or only drops a little and holds the remainder of the pressure, then the before mentioned valve is at fault.
If the latter is the case and you also installed a length of hose and a valve before the gauge you could then
1) Shut the valve,
2) Remove the gauge and
3) Use the valve to release the pressure in a container or the reservoir itself.
Now if the body boy lowers normally while doing this then the cylinder is ok, and it is time to get to work on that valve.
Good luck and as some said always take caution with pressurized or potently pressurized hoses and fittings.
One last note if you install the hose gauge and valve in a manner that makes it possible, then I would leave it in place after you are done (shutting off the valve until I needed to read pressure again to prolong the life of the gauge) If you lift a foot or so and read your gauge with enough loads of known weight while taking note of the pressure, then that pressure will give a rough idea of your weight if you don’t know and want to, the calculations needed to tell exact weight would be complicated, but it would be easy simple and accurate comparison between loads.
Edit If you remove both hoses with the body up and there was no presure on the bottom then the valve is ok and the cylinder likely needs some TLC. I msut piont out also that if this is the case and it HAD been the valve the body would have come slaming down with nothing to slow or stop it, (unless you had a safety stop of some sort some dumps have then installed ands some dont) if you had your body in the wrong place at that time it would not have been good, Just a freindly reminder to be carefull of stored energy in these things and try avoid working alone while doing this kind of work, even a youngster to run and get help is better than being pinned and alone
Wayne
Last edited:
Have you called Texas Pride to get some tips on what might be the problem? They have always been very helpful to me.