Hydraulic Cylinder Question

[rockinbbar]

I have a Woods batwing cutter that's about 10 years old.

The cylinder that raises one of the wings has recently started not retracting all the way. Comes close, but stops about an inch shy of where it should be.

That is only a problem because only in the full upright position can I engage my locks on the wings.

Could the cylinder have blow-by fluid on the other side of the seals? It's not been showing any signs of leaking out the other end. It also has a solid plug on the opposite end, as it's just plumbed one way.

Thoughts? Maybe time for a rebuild?

Thanks in advance!

 

[oldnslo]

I would suspect that over the years enough oil has seeped past the seal to now prevent full retraction.

 

[TractorTech]

It could also be that it has formed rust or accumulated dirt in the bore on the retracted side.
I have a one way cylinder on a Rhino GR84 with vent plug. The oil seeps by the piston slightly and blows out the vent hole.

 

[rockinbbar]

It could also be that it has formed rust or accumulated dirt in the bore on the retracted side.
I have a one way cylinder on a Rgino GR84 with vent plug. The oil seeps by the piston slightly and blows out the vent hole.

These plugs are solid, with no vent. Maybe I can find a plug that vents to keep this working right awhile longer.

Maybe the place that builds my hydraulic hoses will have one.

 

[TractorTech]

These plugs are solid, with no vent. Maybe I can find a plug that vents to keep this working right awhile longer.

Maybe the place that builds my hydraulic hoses will have one.

Solid??? How does the cylinder vent then?

 

[rockinbbar]

Solid??? How does the cylinder vent then?

Not sure it does. On another implement I have, the vent is on the nut that plugs where the hose would connect if it were a two way cylinder. This cylinder just has a flush, solid plug where the second hose would screw in. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot for a vent nut?

 

[rockinbbar]

Here's photos I went out and took.

They look solid to me, but I'm sure no hydraulics expert. Could be vented elsewhere?

 

[TractorTech]

What about the bottom port?

 

[rockinbbar]

What about the bottom port?

I'll go check for that.
Neither of the wing cylinders have ever leaked any at all.
Maybe I need to relieve that pressure, then perhaps check for rust and crud.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Solid??? How does the cylinder vent then?

It's magical. Must be for sure.

 

[TractorTech]

#11 is the breather

 

[4570Man]

These plugs are solid, with no vent. Maybe I can find a plug that vents to keep this working right awhile longer.

Maybe the place that builds my hydraulic hoses will have one.

I’d loosen one of those plugs and see if fluid has built up behind ram.

 

[rockinbbar]

I’d loosen one of those plugs and see if fluid has built up behind ram.

Probably will do that when I hook up next time. I have it unhooked from my tractor right now because that tractor is in hay moving mode.

 

[rockinbbar]

#11 is the breather

Yeah, it looks like it to me as well, and the other batwing shredder I have looks like that.

But near as I can tell, by looking at this cylinder, both plugs are solid. I've put some Kroil on them to help me remove them when I get hooked up next, but it has the appearance of two solid plugs to me. A vent plug usually extends out some, doesn't it?

 

[rockinbbar]

It's magical. Must be for sure.

Must be. The bottom of the cylinder has two outlets. I've posted pics of both.

Perhaps you can point out the vent plug to me?

 

[oldnslo]

Neither of them plugs in the pictures look like vents. Single acting cylinders can work with one port plugged they just compress the air on the blind side. This could be a cushion effect when winging up. Not normal but can be done.

 

[TractorTech]

Neither of them plugs in the pictures look like vents. Single acting cylinders can work with one port plugged they just compress the air on the blind side. This could be a cushion effect when winging up. Not normal but can be done.

Must have a one way Chevron type piston seal to accomplish this. Just thinking that crd and oil bypassing to the base possibly causing the problem

 

[rockinbbar]

Neither of them plugs in the pictures look like vents. Single acting cylinders can work with one port plugged they just compress the air on the blind side. This could be a cushion effect when winging up. Not normal but can be done.

I believe that's what that is.

I had another Woods batwing cutter that was really a POS, compared to the one in question.

The wings were sticking and not coming down, so I removed that one solid plug, and converted the batwing cylinders into two way cylinders. It worked fine until I sold it for half of what I gave for it.

 

[4570Man]

Solid??? How does the cylinder vent then?

It doesn’t necessarily have to vent. It could just compress the air inside. The problem starts when the seals leak a little bit and fill the sealed cavity with oil which is probably the problem with this cylinder.

 

[rockinbbar]

Must have a one way Chevron type piston seal to accomplish this. Just thinking that crd and oil bypassing to the base possibly causing the problem

I'm thinking that as well. Probably going to remove the solid plug and put a vent plug in. After 10 years of pretty substantial use, the seals have to be letting some fluid by.
Perhaps if I can vent the bottom successfully, then I can put off having to redo the entire cylinders for awhile.

Top of the cylinder is pretty clean, and it's not been pushing any oil out.