Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position?

   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position? #1  

npalen

Elite Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
3,478
Location
Beloit, KS
Tractor
Kubota B9200 HSTD and Mahindra 3015
There are times it would be real handy to know, at a glance, the position of the cylinder rod stroke. An example would be on a top link cylinder where it might be desirable to repeat a level position for a 3PH implement.
I've tried using a magic marker to simply make a line on the rod but it gets wiped off too easily. I remember seeing acid etching kits years ago that allowed marked hardened steel and wondering if something like that might work using a stencil.
Any thoughts?
 
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position? #2  
I would be really careful no to do anything that would cause a rough spot on the cylinder rod, it would be likely to tear up the seals pretty quickly. A different solution would be to fabricate a gauge rod that would clamp onto the cylinder rod, sort of like the level indicator rods on a lot of front end loaders. Mark the cylinder with the desired gradations.
 
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position? #3  
Just use an indicator like tractors use on the FEL.
 
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position? #5  
I had another thought. There are indicators used on trim tabs for boats. I remember on my old Scarab you could see the position of the cylinders on the dash. I don't remember looking at how they accomplish this but that may be another option.

Here is a link.
Teague Custom Marine - Mechanical Trim Indicators
 
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position? #6  
Just use an indicator like tractors use on the FEL.

+1. Just get a rod and a tube. Put one inside the other. Weld one to the cylinder knuckle and the other to the rod knuckle. make your marks on the rod.
 
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position? #7  
I actually kinda like the idea of a mechanical connection between the cylinder and the other end of the cable in the cab where something simple like a ruler could serve as a gauge.

Would be easy to find that perfect setting eachi time and give you a refrence.
 
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position?
  • Thread Starter
#8  
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position?
  • Thread Starter
#9  
   / Etching a Cylinder Rod to Show Position? #10  
That just a bad idea. Use some kind of external indicator.

X2 You have already done a few external gauge setups, why this?
 

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