Woods BH80X - broken cylinder end

[westbrooklawn]

DJ54 - not sure exactly what I was doing at the time it broke, but I might very well have been pushing with the back side of the bucket against a 4' section of the tree I left when I cut it down. I know I had also been digging around the base to cut the side roots, but again, not sure exactly what I was doing when it broke. I agree with you that it was probably a technique issue rather that excessive hydraulic pressure, or possibly just a metal defect in the area of the cross tube where it broke.

 

[DJ54]

I broke the corner out of a fairly new 24" bucket many moons ago, by doing what I described above, on a Ford 550. Fishing for a boiler plate culvert in about 4' of muddy water... I found it..!! Just lucky enough the corner was still hanging on by a lil' bit. Luckier we had a mechanic/welder that could weld really well..!!

 

[wdchyd]

That's a fairly easy fix.....I'd have a problem leaving on the broken piece and just welding it though

I'd grind off old weld and take off the remaining piece of cross-tube that is still attached.......then make a new cross-tube with a slightly thicker wall-thickness......if it's alittle too thick then the stroke will stretch out the difference, then grind/mill it to the same thickness only at the place where it welds onto the rod.....

IE: if the wall thickness on the original is .250" then go to .312 or thicker.......just make it slightly heavier.....

I wouldn't use pipe but rather cold rolled steel or better yet an old piece of hyd rod for raw material (CR1045)...cut and bore to size...It'll be stronger than original

preheat lightly and weld with 7018 DC reverse polarity

 

[westbrooklawn]

wdchyd - that sounds like the perfect solution, but due to lack of proper tools (and expertise!), it's a little above my capability. Any guesses what a professional machine shop/welder would charge for such a fix? Keep in mind I can buy a complete new cylinder for $230.

 

[wdchyd]

Well if you were closer to me, I'd do it not to exceeed $100...........as least it would be stronger than original......

If you wanted to weld it yourself, I could make the part (with proper dimensions) and sent it to ya

A machine is only good as it's weakest part, and I guess you found it..:thumbsup:

 

[westbrooklawn]

After the comments I received, I contacted a hydraulic shop about 30 miles from here that has a great reputation. Talked to them on the phone, got a ballpark estimate, and brought the cylinder in. They ground the old weld and piece of cross-tube off, fabed a new cross-tube complete with zerk fitting, welded it on, and guaranteed it... all for $75. It was a no brainer. It's back together and working great. Thanks to all for the comments.

 

[wdchyd]

:thumbsup:........

 

[Chilly807]

After the comments I received, I contacted a hydraulic shop about 30 miles from here that has a great reputation. Talked to them on the phone, got a ballpark estimate, and brought the cylinder in. They ground the old weld and piece of cross-tube off, fabed a new cross-tube complete with zerk fitting, welded it on, and guaranteed it... all for $75. It was a no brainer. It's back together and working great. Thanks to all for the comments.

That's a great price for the amount of work done! Just considering the time it would take, they're certainly in business to keep an affordable bottom line.

Sean

 

[wdchyd]

That's a great price for the amount of work done! Just considering the time it would take, they're certainly in business to keep an affordable bottom line.

Sean

That's one of the reasons why good hyd repair shops have been making money in this economy.......If they can make a buck and the customer save a buck, then everybody's happy.....

 

[Chilly807]

That's one of the reasons why good hyd repair shops have been making money in this economy.......If they can make a buck and the customer save a buck, then everybody's happy.....

I'd say they covered their costs, and that's about it. By the time you pay someone an hour's wages, pay for the cross-tube and grease nipple and power and consumables to run the grinder and welder, you're getting close to cost work.

I suspect they wanted to get a new client in the door, and keep him coming back in the future for jobs that have a bit more margin. Smart business.

Sean