Manually extending the rod on a rebuilt cylinder.

[willfick]

I have a Ford Backhoe, somewhere in the 550 series, on which I have had to have the right side swing cylinder rebuilt. I had pulled the left side to have it done ten or fifteen years ago, so I should have known what I was doing. Sadly, I am getting stupider with age. This one has two single action cylinders pulling against each other. To take one out, I have to disconnect the chain that connects the two cylinders from the offending side, then drag myself under the tractor lying on my back, pull the cylinder back far enough to reach and disconnect the single hose from it, and drag it out to the open. Putting the rebuilt cylinder back has to be harder, but as I said, I've done it before. By myself. This time I had help getting it back into place, but managed to screw it up anyway.
Before help arrived, I got the cylinder far enough back in to get the hydraulic line connected. We then used a small floor jack to lift it up high enough for me to slide it far enough in that it wouldn't fall out. Problem is, at the same time as we were sliding it in, we were pushing the rod back into the cylinder. I didn't mention earlier while the cylinder was out, I had started up the machine and swung the hoe to the left to move it out of the way. I was embarrassed. Off course, that pulled the end of the chain farther away from the out of place cylinder. At this point, my help had had to go back to work.
Anyway, my initial question is this; if I can secure the control lever in the position that, if the tractor was running, would cause the left side to pull against the right and the right to allow itself to relieve its pressure and be pulled out? I have tried some already, with no luck, even using a small come-along with a light rope. It is almost impossible to see or feel the end of the rod, to be sure there is no obstruction, but there is also that I can remember trying to pull a cylinder by hand and not being able to.
So, for a starter, should consider that I am victim of the adage, "If brute force doesn't do it, you're not using enough," or do I need to remove the hose to let the pressure off, that there is a check valve somewhere that I don't know about? And for a follow up question, "Anybody bored, wanta give me a hand?
Thanks, Wm

 

[muddstopper]

If you can secure the control lever in the correct direction, with engine not running, and you can secure a comealong, I think you just need more brute force. I am not familar with the cylinder you have, but is it possible that it has a counter balance valve to prevent cyl drift, If this is the case, you would need to remove the counter balance cartridge before the cyl would extend.

 

[willfick]

Thanks. I am close to certain it hasn't such a thing as that. I am headed out to ger a bigger come-along and a clevis that will fit in a tight spot.

 

[boomer1025]

Re-move the hyd line from the cylinder and take an air blow gun/nozzle and blow in the fitting on the cylinder and it will push the rod out of the cylinder.