Backhoe Dipper cylinder leaking

seal oil · Nov 16, 2015

The dipper cylinder on my 3716 backhoe all of a sudden developed a small leak . My guess is the seal is cracked because there aren't many hrs on it and no signs of the cylinder chrome being damaged with rust or a scrape . It isn't a big leak and doesn't seem to be getting any worse so I am pondering over getting it fixed or waiting to see if it stops leaking . I can remove the cylinder and take it to a hydraulic shop for repair and would like some tips or advice about the job before I do it .

Jabonee · Nov 16, 2015

Make sure the cylinder hoses are tight. I've seen the hoses leaking and running down making it look like the cylinder cap seal is leaking.

seal oil · Nov 16, 2015

Jabonee said:
Make sure the cylinder hoses are tight. I've seen the hoses leaking and running down making it look like the cylinder cap seal is leaking.

Thanks Jabonee . I have checked the hoses and they are tight . I can see some bubbles of air and hydraulic oil leaking in one spot of the cylinder cap seal when the dipper cylinder rod is moved in and out . The backhoe has not many hrs on it and I guess just sitting for a long time may have caused the seals to have gotten hard and leaking . But that is not my only problem . I have to take the cylinder to a place that can fix it and that is 200 miles one way . If they are busy that could be days and they may not have the seal kit in stock or might not be able to get it . I don't know if I could get another cylinder to replace it if this one can't be fixed . Newfoundland is the end of the world for getting parts that are not very common . We only have princess auto and I'm not sure if they have anything to fit it . That store is also 200 miles away .

Billrog · Nov 16, 2015

If it's only weeping a small amount of oil & you don't use it often just keep digging When the oil warms the seal up it may leak less while your using it.

Jabonee · Nov 17, 2015

Consider having the seal kit sent to you from a dealer that will drop ship.

newbury · Nov 17, 2015

seal oil said:
The dipper cylinder on my 3716 backhoe all of a sudden developed a small leak . My guess is the seal is cracked because there aren't many hrs on it and no signs of the cylinder chrome being damaged with rust or a scrape . It isn't a big leak and doesn't seem to be getting any worse so I am pondering over getting it fixed or waiting to see if it stops leaking . I can remove the cylinder and take it to a hydraulic shop for repair and would like some tips or advice about the job before I do it .

Reads like a "down time repair" job. As others wrote use it warm and watch the leak. Check out the repair shop and get it lined up. Then if you can find a time when you are not going to use it take it in for a rebuild.
I just had a cylinder rebuilt on my FEL for $40.
Make sure you've got everything relaxed and supported before you remove it.

seal oil · Nov 17, 2015

Billrog said:
If it's only weeping a small amount of oil & you don't use it often just keep digging When the oil warms the seal up it may leak less while your using it.

Thanks Billrog . Good idea but it is very cold here now and I haven't got much digging to do . If I don't get it fixed this winter I might try that .

seal oil · Nov 17, 2015

Billrog said:
If it's only weeping a small amount of oil & you don't use it often just keep digging When the oil warms the seal up it may leak less while your using it.

Thanks Billrog . Good idea but it is very cold here now and I haven't got much digging to do . If I don't get it fixed this winter I might try that .

seal oil · Nov 17, 2015

Jabonee said:
Consider having the seal kit sent to you from a dealer that will drop ship.

I thought about doing that but I never replaced a seal kit in a hydraulic ram . I'm not sure if it is a big job to do . Thanks again .

Browneyesvictim · Nov 17, 2015

seal oil said:
I thought about doing that but I never replaced a seal kit in a hydraulic ram . I'm not sure if it is a big job to do . Thanks again .

I don't know about those specific cylinders 'cuz I've never been into them, You might find out that you need special spanner wrenches to get them apart. It can be easy to mess up the gland end threads as well. On the gland end, look for double set screws and/or lead behind them! Even then there could be Locktite that will fight you. A little heat can be your friend if you knowing where and how much to put on it. If there is a Cat or other heavy equipment dealer around, they can reasonably rebuild it for you if you have the parts. They should have those kinds of tools and in fact they often will have seals that can be matched up as well.