Ideas to 'attach' 2 1/2" hydraulic gauge?

[Richard]

Got this hydraulic mower. Rebuilt some of the motors on it that drive the blades. Want to monitor the pressure in each blade system. I have one 5,000 PSI for the center motor and I have two 3,500 PSI gauges that deal with the right & left wings which are on the same circuit. (fluid goes from pump to right side motor, then out of there to left side motor then back to tank)

I have the appropriate gauges. I've not yet been able to really make this work WELL. I can get it to work "good enough" but being OCD....

here's a side shot of what I have. Now, I know I can buy some surface attached units and simply screw them down. That might be my answer. I'm trying to work with what I have first to see if I can get it to work.

Right now, I have a 2x6, call it 12 inches long. Three holes cut. These are fed through and I rest this assembly on the dash as I'm cutting to see the pressures. What happens though is as I string the 25-30 feet of hose from mounting, through anchor point, around the seat, out the back to the mower, blah blah blah..... the hose twists. One of these might be at "3:00" the next one might be at 10:30 and the other might be upside down.

Drives me nuts BUT, I can make it work so that's why I'm not interested in buying more gauges that duplicate what I've got!

What if:

Take a 2x6 or maybe 1x6 of similar length. Make my holes. Grab a SECOND 1x6, mirror the holes.

Insert gauges in FIRST board. Lay second board on top to 'sandwich' gauges. Well, the gauges will probably be jammed because of the rim. So, slightly bevel the facing side of the boards so the bezels have a (shallow) pocket to sit in. HOPEFULLY, this pocket would add enough resistence to hold them in place while the other plumbing is going on.

Are there other ways to mount these? What if someone has a '57 chevy and has reason to add a guage like this on their dash, surely it doesn't flop around, how is it held from behind? Are there "keepers" for them? (if those stick out the back, that might be an issue)

Just looking for ideas. Here's a profile of my culpret.

Now that I look at the picture.... makes me wonder...

3/4" board up front. how about a 1/4" piece of plywood on the back with a hole JUST large enough for the nipple to poke through. Toss soemthing like a fender washer on it to spread the grabbing force around and use the nut on the hose to tighten it up from the rear. Screw plywood to back of front board.

Might work. Literally, this just crossed my mind.

 

[flyerdan]

It looks like you have port mount gauges rather than panel mount, those type are usually installed in a bushing on stationary equipment. There is a recess in the gauge pictured, perhaps you could cut a semicircle groove into your mounting board an use a dowel as kind of a key to keep it from turning.

 

[Richard]

perhaps you could cut a semicircle groove into your mounting board an use a dowel as kind of a key to keep it from turning.

That hadn't remotely crossed my mind! Very interesting. If I recall, I think there are three indentions, essentially 1/3 around the unit.

Oh, this is interesting. Fit them at correct orientation, note indentions, mark them. Make a "V" in the board to insert like you say, a key from the back, then, add the backside board. If they wiggle, make slightly larger dowel.

If I'm going to be honest, I'm guessing I just have to shut up and buy a new set.... it just kills me to do that. I'll probably give this a try!!! I love it.

Thank you.