ID this Cat cylinder?

[erikg]

Hi, all;

I just bought a Caterpillar (apparently, judging by the color) hydraulic cylinder at a local surplus place. I'd like to narrow down what type it is so when I ask around to find out where I can get parts I know what I'm looking for.

It's very similar to this one. except mine is only about a 2 foot cylinder and the one in the pic is 4 feet. Mine is a 5.5 inch diameter with about a 3 inch diameter rod. One end is welded, the other has a square bolt on head.

Also, mine has the attachment hardware and two elbow fittings sticking out - that's really what I wanted to ask about. The fittings bolt on over the fluid ports at each end - you can see the silver colored metal in this pic where they're missing. 4 bolts hold the attachment to the port, and the fitting sticks out the middle. Right now the cylinder seems to have 37 degree male fittings on the elbows, looks like about 5/8 size. One of them has the sealing surface dented, so I'll need to replace it, possibly among other repairs.

Can anyone give me an idea of what these attachments are called? I'm familiar with the fact that this is a welded cylinder (mostly) but I don't know what to call the bolt on fittings.

Assuming it is a Caterpillar cylinder, would Cat be the only place to get replacement parts for it? Or are some parts standard?

Thanks,
Erik

 

[MHarryE]

All Catt parts like this are supposed to have a permanent part number stamp or plate. The part number would be int the form of 8G-1234 or 123-4567. Those appear to be 4 bolt flange ports but something sometimes done is to create a block that duplicates a 4 bolt flange fitting in one side and then converts to an o-ring boss port on the other side of the block. 4 bolt flange fittings can get pricey so converting to attach a hose with ORFS or JIC fittings is often done. That's my best guess at what you are describing.

 

[MHarryE]

http://www.kinnearspecialties.com/downloads/Hydraulic_Flange_Catalog.pdf

If this link works it will show a catalog with illustrations of the connectors I am talking about.

 

[erikg]

http://www.kinnearspecialties.com/downloads/Hydraulic_Flange_Catalog.pdf

If this link works it will show a catalog with illustrations of the connectors I am talking about.

Thanks! That's a great help.

I took a look at the cylinder, and there is in fact a paint covered aluminum tag that's partly folded over on itself. I'm going to clean it up and take a pic of the cylinder, and try to read the numbers off the tag.

It looks from that catalog link that since the flanges are intact that I should be able to buy a replacement part like an NPTF thread to flange head adapter, then install it in the flange and I'll be able to connect to it.

As a last resort I could probably machine something, but that'd be a lot of work, so I'll try other ideas first. It looks like a pretty high quality cylinder, so it might even be worth having it professionally serviced... get the seals and wipers checked, a new flange installed, etc.

I'm thinking this will make a nice shop press/brake cylinder.

Erik

 

[Toyboy]

Why don't you try it out and see if indeed it needs any servicing. It just may be good to go as is.

 

[erikg]

Why don't you try it out and see if indeed it needs any servicing. It just may be good to go as is.

What if it has dirt or something in the cylinder? Since it's not new and I don't know its history, shouldn't I at least inspect it?

I can come up with something for the flange connection to try it out easy enough, but will it get damaged if there's some contamination?

Erik

 

[J_J]

Mix some equal parts of diesel and hydro fluid, put it in the cyl and slosh it around and drain.

If you are apprehensive about real contamination, then you can break it down, and inspect the insides and replace anything that needs replacing

 

[erikg]

Thanks! That's a great help.

I took a look at the cylinder, and there is in fact a paint covered aluminum tag that's partly folded over on itself. I'm going to clean it up and take a pic of the cylinder, and try to read the numbers off the tag.


Erik

Well, I did some cleanup, can't find my camera cable though. I did manage to unfold the aluminum tag, and in the process it fell off the cylinder.. it was held on with some kind of foam tape.

Anyway, it was hard to read the front of the tag due to wear, but the back was much easier

The cylinder is marked 8J5713 (8J-5713), which if my searching is correct (thanks for the info above, folks!) is a bucket cylinder from a Cat 955L track loader made in about 1974... the tag on the cylinder also has "12 74" on it which bears this out.

Unfortunately I can't find listed a "standard seal kit" for it in the version of the Caterpillar cylinder reference I have access to. If anyone has a better reference and can look it up, the 8J5713 is the "cylinder group" part number. According to the info I was able to find it's a 4.5 inch bore, 2 inch rod cylinder that's 29.1 inches long with a 32.5 inch rod.

I don't have any info on working pressure.

I'm guessing its age and the combination of the 2 inch rod and 4.5 inch bore might make it harder to find parts for... any suggestions appreciated. I'll try it out anyway, to see if it works, but it'd be nice to know I can find parts if it doesn't.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Toyboy]

You can get parts from Cat dealer. You may not like the price, but you can get them. Contact you nearest Cat dealer and see what they can do for you.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Any good hydraulics shop can get you some aftermarket packings. We just did one on a 215 excavator that cat wanted 450 for parts. We got tem afermarket for 150. We use alot of parts from Regal Corporation. I put man hours on some of their parts on the D5B at the landfill with no problems.

Regal Corporation