Hydraulic lines left open to weather?

[2manyrocks]

I was looking at a quick attach tree puller up for auction, but noticed that the two hydraulic lines appear to be open to the weather. There aren't any quick couplers on the lines. The ends of the lines aren't even capped with plastic caps. There is one cylinder that opens and closes the jaws on the puller.

What would you recommend? How would I go about flushing the lines and cylinder to make sure there isn't any water or anything else in there that might get into my tractor's hydraulic system?

 

[5030]

Think I'd replace the lines and call it good. Probably shot anyway.

 

[leonz]

There is not much you can do with this double acting cylinder set up other than
changing hoses and the cylinder since they left it open to air.

Since they striped it from another machine to sell it the piston packings may or
may not be blown not which will affect how well it grips trash trees to rip them out.

The other things you do not know for certain are

1. whether the stuffing box packing and rod wiper are leaking hydraulic oil.

2. the condition of the cylinder rod eye bushing and cylinder barrel eye bushing and
whether it is elongated from the stress of gripping the weed trees.

3. these things are designed by idiots that have no idea about the stresses created
from the act of tree shearing which can and will bend hydraulic cylinder rod as the
hydraulic cylinders are purchased without the proper length stop tubes by following
the simple rule of one inch of stop tube for every foot of extended length to prevent the
following items from occurring:

a. bending stresses damaging and scoring the cylinder barrel
b. bending damaging the cylinder piston
c. bending the cylinder rod
d. destroying the cylinder stuffing box from the cylinder rod bending.
e. destroying the cylinder rod eye from the bending of the rod
f. destroying the cylinder barrel eye from the bending of the rod

The other unknowns are numerous;

1. what the condition of the ssqa mounting plate is; specifically the base tab weldments as they would absorb a great deal of pulling stress
2. what the condition of the ssqa attachment handles is
3. what the condition of the ssqa locking pins are
4. what the condition of the ssqa locking springs are if used

Especially the following;

5. Are the 4 mounting tabs on the SSQA mounting plate bent from
the repeated action of tearing out weed trees?

6. You have no idea what the condition of the of the hydraulic cylinder
pins are-they will run into money if they come up bad/bent.

7. You have no idea what the condition of the mounting weldments is as the tree puller is not mounted on a machine so that you can run it
by extending rod eye to fully close and retract the grippers.

I would pass on this unless you have time, money machining skills and a welder.

 

[2manyrocks]

Doesn't look used, but it looks like it sat outside in the weather unsold for a while.

Not the stoutest design I've seen, but I'm only interested in it to pull some very small saplings under 2" and would be converting it to the three point rear hitch. So don't want to pay much as this is pretty much an experiment.

Skidsteere Tree Puller

This item is part of the online auction: ONLINE ABSOLUTE AUCTION: TRENCHERS - VEHICLES - SHOP EQUIPMENT. Bidding starts Feb 28 and ends Mar 14. Item is located in Cookeville, TN.

www.taysauctions.com

 

[ptsg]

Personally, I would've just pulled the hoses off and blow the hoses with compressed air. Take a look at the ports and see if there is any trash inside. Then run it.

 

[leonz]

Purchase the large brush grubber choker chain from Gemplers, less drama, less in cost and no hydraulics to mess with.
You just need a tractor heavy enough to pull the saplings out with a shackle that fits the tow hitch pin hole on your mule.

 

[ruffdog]

Personally, I would've just pulled the hoses off and blow the hoses with compressed air. Take a look at the ports and see if there is any trash inside. Then run it.

I would also hang tree puller so the ports are at the bottom and work the cyl by hand and see what comes out. (or remove cyl and do the same)

 

[2manyrocks]

Purchase the large brush grubber choker chain from Gemplers, less drama, less in cost and no hydraulics to mess with.
You just need a tractor heavy enough to pull the saplings out with a shackle that fits the tow hitch pin hole on your mule.

Front-End Loader - Danuser Intimdator

Used on Kubota B26 plucking trees and brush. Some trees removed along the wooded driveway 20’ tall. Privet and Russian olives clumps easily pulled up. Small tractor gives great maneuverability and sight near fences and buildings. Easily pulled trees growing in the blueberry patch with surgical...

www.tractorbynet.com

Chain + pipe works extremely well, but time consuming to get on and off the tractor to deal with so many saplings.

The other concern I have with the tree puller that is up for auction near me is I suspect it may shear off small saplings, and I don't want a bunch of sharp stubs in my field.

 

[nyone]

You can pull the cylinder and drain what's in it. It will drain with no pressure. If you dont find mich water I would hook it up and go.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I'd buy it cheap. Hook it up and see if all good. Ain't too much to it. You could take cylinder off and push and pull to clean it out. I've pulled a rope with a piece of cloth through hoses to clean them out.

 

[loggin]

The only thing that would really concern me is getting contamination into my hydraulic fluid. I would try and get it cheap enough that it would still be a good deal even if I had to replace the lines and the cylinder. Then I would take the lines off and inspect and flush. Then pour some hydraulic fluid into the cylinder at both holes and move it a few times by hand to make sure it is smooth and rust free. Also thereby flushing and inspecting the fluid that comes out of it.

If all looks good then use it, and you got a smoking deal. If you have to replace lines and cylinder you would still be getting a deal, just not as good a deal; Assuming you kept the price low enough as discussed earlier.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Smokeydog]

Could use your tractor to flush each side into a container and inspect the fluid. Takes connecting , disconnecting QDs on the implement side a few times. Twice should have clear fluid and displaced old fluid and contaminates. Maybe a gallon or two. Then replenish new new fluid into your tractor. Job easier with a helper.

Grip low, drive forward then use FEL to lift free. Love to use the Danuser Intimdator to clear small trees. This is the best time of year to do that type of work.

 

[2manyrocks]

Could use your tractor to flush each side into a container and inspect the fluid. Takes connecting , disconnecting QDs on the implement side a few times. Twice should have clear fluid and displaced old fluid and contaminates. Maybe a gallon or two. Then replenish new new fluid into your tractor. Job easier with a helper.

Grip low, drive forward then use FEL to lift free. Love to use the Danuser Intimdator to clear small trees. This is the best time of year to do that type of work.

How small of a sapling can you pull without shearing it off?

 

[Smokeydog]

How small of a sapling can you pull without shearing it off?

Pencil size. Don’t have trouble breaking off too much. No tire puncturing stems. Can pull grass up by the roots. The distance out gives visibility. Good design.

Just one stab with the excavator teeth underneath, then grab and go cleanly extracts bigger stuff with little dirt.

Have never used other types of hydraulic pullers to compare. Sure beats a chain.

 

[heathwoodhydraulics]

If the hydraulic lines of the tree puller are exposed to the weather without any protective caps or quick couplers, it's likely that dirt, debris, and water may have entered into the system, which could cause significant damage to your tractor's hydraulic system if not properly flushed out.

Here are the steps you can take to flush the lines and cylinder:

1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, when working with hydraulic systems.
2. Obtain a hydraulic system flush solution from your local hydraulic parts dealer or hardware store.
3. Disconnect the hydraulic lines from the tree puller, using appropriate wrenches or pliers.
4. Place the disconnected ends of the hydraulic lines into a bucket or container to catch any fluid that may drain out during the flush process.
5. Connect the hydraulic lines to a flush cart or bucket filled with the hydraulic flush solution.
6. Operate the tree puller's cylinder to circulate the flush solution through the hydraulic lines and cylinder for at least 10-15 minutes.
7. Disconnect the hydraulic lines from the flush cart or bucket and allow them to drain into the catch container.
8. Refill the hydraulic system with fresh hydraulic fluid of the appropriate type and viscosity recommended by the tree puller's manufacturer.
9. Reconnect the hydraulic lines to the tree puller, ensuring that the connections are tight and secure.
10. Check the hydraulic system for leaks or other issues before operating the tree puller.

It's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for your tree puller's hydraulic system, as they may vary from model to model. If you're unsure about any aspect of the flushing process or have concerns about your tree puller's hydraulic system, it's recommended to seek professional advice from a hydraulic system expert or the manufacturer's customer support.

 

[Harry in Ky]

If the hydraulic lines of the tree puller are exposed to the weather without any protective caps or quick couplers, it's likely that dirt, debris, and water may have entered into the system, which could cause significant damage to your tractor's hydraulic system if not properly flushed out.

Here are the steps you can take to flush the lines and cylinder:

1. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses, when working with hydraulic systems.
2. Obtain a hydraulic system flush solution from your local hydraulic parts dealer or hardware store.
3. Disconnect the hydraulic lines from the tree puller, using appropriate wrenches or pliers.
4. Place the disconnected ends of the hydraulic lines into a bucket or container to catch any fluid that may drain out during the flush process.
5. Connect the hydraulic lines to a flush cart or bucket filled with the hydraulic flush solution.
6. Operate the tree puller's cylinder to circulate the flush solution through the hydraulic lines and cylinder for at least 10-15 minutes.
7. Disconnect the hydraulic lines from the flush cart or bucket and allow them to drain into the catch container.
8. Refill the hydraulic system with fresh hydraulic fluid of the appropriate type and viscosity recommended by the tree puller's manufacturer.
9. Reconnect the hydraulic lines to the tree puller, ensuring that the connections are tight and secure.
10. Check the hydraulic system for leaks or other issues before operating the tree puller.

It's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for your tree puller's hydraulic system, as they may vary from model to model. If you're unsure about any aspect of the flushing process or have concerns about your tree puller's hydraulic system, it's recommended to seek professional advice from a hydraulic system expert or the manufacturer's customer support.

Are you serious? I'd hate to see your list of do's and don't's for something with a real problem.

 

[2manyrocks]

The auction could go so high that it's not worth fooling with.

 

[Aquamoose]

I’d be concerned with the design of the single row of teeth. I built mine with triple rows of pinch points to securely grip saplings & small trees so they won’t break off. If it was still offered, I wouldn’t overlook it but I’d want to inspect the welds.

 

[50520e]

I was looking at a quick attach tree puller up for auction, but noticed that the two hydraulic lines appear to be open to the weather. There aren't any quick couplers on the lines. The ends of the lines aren't even capped with plastic caps. There is one cylinder that opens and closes the jaws on the puller.

What would you recommend? How would I go about flushing the lines and cylinder to make sure there isn't any water or anything else in there that might get into my tractor's hydraulic system?

looked like it had fittings on it to me. Its so simple though, if you had to replace the cylinder or lines and you had a couple of hundred dollars, you could replace them without much fanfare. If it is exposed, just flush it first, it will probably work. Did you win it?

 

[mikester]

Flush the lines. Flush the cylinders. If you are concerned about contamination replace the hoses to the cylinders and flush before using.