Putting it back like it was, I think.

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · May 25, 2015

I've bought a International(not International Harvester) Super 10, 10ft rotary mower. It's a pull type, but unlike other pull types that lift/raise with one cylinder this one has two. One on each side of course. This is not a bat wing style mower, but a flat deck, twin spindle style. Now it gets odd. One cylinder is not connected at all, no hoses. The other has two hoses which is what I call a "double acting" cylinder or power up/ power down. My other mower has one "single acting" cylinder or power up/gravity down. Now here's my question,#1 Why did they do it like that? #2 Can a turn a double acting cylinder into a single acting by plugging one of the two ports? #3 If so, can I hook both cylinders together to operate both with one lever on the tractor? Thanks in advance.

J_J · May 25, 2015

Yes, you can do that. Feed one work port into a tee and connect the hoses to the base end of the cyl. Alos add a breather plug top the unused port.

You can either plug one of the work ports, or run that work port to tank.

If plug the work port. the relief will activate for the time the cyl is retracting.

Are the cyl the same size and stroke?

How about a picture of the deck showing the cylinders?

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · May 25, 2015

Thanks for the response JJ. The cylinders are the same stroke and bore. Can't get you pic's any time soon but in my search for parts availability for this machine I found pics of the two cylinder set up, and a one clylinder set up. The mower is heavy, 2200-2500lbs. I'm hoping to raise both sides of the machine equally. For example, on my batwing mower the wings are on the same hydraulic line. The wing first in the "flow" raises first/fastest the second more slowly. The Super 10 being a solid deck may not go for this. Here's my plan; Run a hose down the center of the mower, tee it and run equal lengths of hose the each cylinder. Connect each hose to the base end of the cylinder and plug the rod end. Is this the best plan or run the #2 cylinder from #1?

J_J · May 26, 2015

Do not plug the rod end, use a vent plug. A plug with a wire mesh screen so the cyl can expel air.

On your DA valve work port, either plug one of the work ports or run the port to tank. This is for cyl used/expended fluid.

Soggy Bottom Outdoors · May 26, 2015

I'm with you I think. I'll vent plug the rod end of both cylinders, I'll then connect a a short hose to each base end of the two cylinders Teeing into a main hose running to my tractor. If I move the remote lever forward that should push fluid to the cylinders thus raising the mower, if I bring the lever to center that should stop the fluid flow and hold the mower in position, if I move the lever back that should allow the fluid to return to the tractor and lower the mower. How close am I?