repair/rebuild of leaking cylinder

[jdonovan]

I got a new-to-me snow plow on an end of season deal. The plow is in good shape, but the hydraulic cylinders are in less-great condition.

The previous owner had some lines break and the plow got tossed to the back of the yard for repair at some future time. It appears that the rough handling of the plow has caused several nicks in the chrome of one cylinder. There are several 4-6 places where there are 1/8x1/8 to 1/4x1/4 chips missing. The chips are all on the bottom of the shafts, so I couldn't see the damage until I got the unit home.

I got it hooked up to the tractor and all works well, and it angles nicely. But now it looks like the seals are leaking. I assume these chips in the chrome are the culprit and have nicked the seals as they went back and forth.

Before I go out an buy 2 new cylinders, I assume there is no economically viable path to repair the damaged chrome on the shafts? New single acting cylinders look to be about $60/each at surplus center.

 

[pjbci]

You can usually buy cylinders cheaper than you can replace the seals and the rod together.

 

[2458n]

I have tried to wet sand the chrome to remove rust. I have tried to epoxy away the nicks. No luck so far. As you soon will beaware there is no large reserve of fluid so if leaking badly refilling is a pain. The quickest ,least costly is to simply replace. Buy at least one extra hose as this often is a needed replacement item after hitting a curb or parking block.