Rebuilding the cylinder on my hoe stick

[EddieWalker]

I replaced the "O" rings on the lines and tightened everyhing up. Now it's all done.

This cylinder was the largest and heaviest one I've done. I did it by myself in one day, including running to town for a 2 inch socket and to talk to the mechanic at New Hollland. It was also very cold out and I took more breaks than I really should have to finish it faster.

Probably a 4 hour job that I dragged out all day. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Eddie

 

[Syncro]

Thanks for posting those pics, I've made a mental note of how you did it. Leaking cylinders seem to come with the experience of owning older industrial equip. How much do you think you saved by doing it yourself?

 

[EddieWalker]

Syncro,

Just guessing, I'd say I save $100 by doing it myself. Not much for just one cylinder, but they add up. And that's if I take off the cylinder and bring it in. It would cost more if I brought the machine to the shop, both in transportation and time in labor to take it off.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Curt,

The mechanics at Case said I needed to replace the hydraulic pumps, all three of them, at $20,000 each to get the dozer working right. No way that's gonna happen on a $25,000 dozer.

I got it back fromt them, and decided to run it till it blew up. After a few hours, it seemed to get more power, another few hours and it was running strong again.

Now I'm wondering if it was just some sort of blockage that worked it's way out, or something similar. I have no idea what happened, either to cause the power loss, or the power increase.

One of lifes mysteries.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Rob,

The gaskets are rubber and very, very tight. They are also designed to get larger under preasure so it seals better.

I think your thinking about something like a piston in an engine and their rings. There is no compression ring, nor is there a way to use something like that.

You just have to light up the piston in the cylinder, make sure it's straight and give it a few taps with a hammer.

The danger is kinking a gasket and punding it in with the hammer, forcing the gasket out of the glands and ruining your seal. If you go slow and don't hit any harder than you have to in order to get it in, then it's not too bad.

Smaller cylinders are allot easier. I'd imagine a 20 hp CUT would probably just about slide in by hand. On this one, I beat it with everythind I had using a ten pound hammer.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Steve,

The hardest part is getting the cap off. If you have a pipe wrench large enough, that would work. I also used a hammer and center punch. I just kept hitting it in the holes to spin it off. Eventually it will come off, but it's the worse way to do it.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Ben,

I considered using the hydralics to push it out, but wondered if it would go all the way out and fall on the ground, or damage something. I also thought about trying air from my compressor, but figured it was more effort than it was worth. The come along works alright, nice and slow, which is good with heavy parts and working alone.

Eddie

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Eddie,
Wonderful post. I like the detailed pictures and seeing the insides and all. This kind of post makes me consider doing things myself that I wouldn't normally even think of doing.

Cliff

 

[EddieWalker]

Cliff,

Thanks. I was hoping it might help some of you out if you were considering such a repair. The first one is always the toughest, but once it makes sence, then it's allot easier.

I just hope CUT cylinders are similar to the one I posted. I don't know why they wouldn't be, but I guess anything is possible.

Eddie

 

[kensfarm]

" Not sure how this happens when it was working fine, then all of a sudden they get all mushed up and start leaking."

I wonder how hot the hydralic fluid gets? From your projects we all know your equipment gets a good workout.