Spray welding or speedi-sleeve?

Arc weld · May 20, 2015

I'm hoping someone has experience with shaft repairs. I finally got the rotary swing cylinder off my backhoe to get new seals put in. Once they got the end caps off, they found one end of the shaft was worn where the seal rides. They were wanting to send it out to spray weld the shaft to build it up and I was wondering if a speedi-sleeve might be a better option? There are some seals on the shaft that most likely aren't available so the existing ones would have to be saved. What would you advise?

Tractor Seabee · May 21, 2015

Many years ago I overhauled ammonia compressors and large CFC refrigerant compressors and we always had them spray weld shafts and large pins, the machine shop then ground and finished to factory tolerance. For those compressors oversize/undersize parts were not available, if you cold even get parts at all. Not unusual to make parts. The older compressors had babbit bearings which is another whole new story. Success was as good as buying new ones and a whole lot cheaper.

Ron

Mysfyt · May 21, 2015

Could you adapt a new cylinder in there? There are some inexpensive tie rod cylinders that are easily modified for stroke length that might be viable.

Arc weld · May 21, 2015

This is a rotary swing cylinder on a 14' Cat backhoe. It does not use conventional cylinders for the swing. It's being sent out for spray welding and I'm expecting the total cost to rebuild it to be around $1000.

Mysfyt · May 22, 2015

I think you made the right call for the repair.

dfkrug · May 25, 2015

Tractor Seabee said:
Success was as good as buying new ones and a whole lot cheaper.

Yes, sir. I go that route often.

In hyd cyl repair, having a whole rod made from scratch in a machine shop is often the most economical
way to go. As for seals, I buy them by size from Hercules Hyd.

Arc weld · May 25, 2015

This shaft would cost a fortune if it was even available. It is splined and both ends and has tapped holes for bolts in it's length and also holes for dowels. It's 3 1/2" in dia. and about 15" long and chromed. The guy at the repair shop said the repair won't need to be chromed just for a seal. I think the build up material has chrome in it anyway.