I know it's probably in the manual and I've not gotten to that part yet but, is it better to store with hydraulic pistons under load (i.e. FL off the ground a bit) or no load? Just in observation, I've seen dump trucks store with the dump bed up. Is this to keep the hydraulic pistons under load or is this just to assist on water runoff during rain?
When storing, Hydraulics under load or not
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MrJimi
Elite Member, Rest in Peace
Always relieve all pressure, they do that to keep water out of trucks
Wayne County Hose
Veteran Member
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- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson model 85, Allis-Chalmers WD-45
From a lawyers point, they always tell you to relieve the pressure.
Real world speaking, leaving the hydraulics up does way more good than harm. The only harm by leaving hydraulics up, is the potential for something to come down. What goes up, must come down. You will not harm your hydraulics or any other component by leaving the hydraulics up.
Now for the good. By leaving the cylinders pressurized, you keep the seals swollen, they are held tight to the rod and gland, this prolongs their life. This is if the machine is stored in a way which mechanically, the rod is being pulled, which is preferred. With the system pressurized, you also keep any contaminants from entering the system via the cylinders. Rod seals do a fantastic job of keeping oil in the cylinder, they do a horrible job of keeping things out of the cylinder. I could go way deeper into detail, but I don't think that's necessary.
Real world speaking, leaving the hydraulics up does way more good than harm. The only harm by leaving hydraulics up, is the potential for something to come down. What goes up, must come down. You will not harm your hydraulics or any other component by leaving the hydraulics up.
Now for the good. By leaving the cylinders pressurized, you keep the seals swollen, they are held tight to the rod and gland, this prolongs their life. This is if the machine is stored in a way which mechanically, the rod is being pulled, which is preferred. With the system pressurized, you also keep any contaminants from entering the system via the cylinders. Rod seals do a fantastic job of keeping oil in the cylinder, they do a horrible job of keeping things out of the cylinder. I could go way deeper into detail, but I don't think that's necessary.
chh
Veteran Member
I've always dropped mine down and dumped the pressure after I shut off the engine. WCH makes some very good points that I had never thought of though. One thing I do like to have down is the 3pt. If a tractor lets the implement bleed down it will jump up when the engine is started.
archerynut
Platinum Member
I echo leaving them down for safety's sake. Also since you have just gotten the GC2310 I will give you a little tip, when disconnecting the FEL or BH ALWAYS relieve the pressure and I will tell you why. IF you leave pressure iin the lines it will be very difficult to put the quick-connects back together because of the excess pressure in the lines, I know this from experience and hydraulic fluid in my face. Funny now but I was cranky then, just ask my wife!
BigBrother44
New member
Wayne County Hose, made some very logical points. I have noticed though that if I relieve the pressure from the system when I shut her down, it seems to keep air out of the system better when I restart it. If you want to leave the system pressurized though, couldn't you still lower it prior to shuttin down, just not dump the pressure? By leaving the FEL down, it also keeps the pistons inside the cylinders, keeping the clean and dry (from water anyway...).
