hydraulic post driver help

[MikePA]

It works when hooked up to the rear remotes on my tractor, but I wanted more hit strength so I plumbed a larger line for the return directly back to the hydraulic reservoir through the fill port. Thing is, now it won't do anything. Any ideas?

Was told the hitting force would be less because the smaller return would not let the valve dump fast enough. Yes it's a gresen valve, and yes I bugged the remote valve open. Thought about bypassing bypassing the remote valve but kind of in a a crappie spot. Works good up and down when plugged into the remotes.

Hi, I just replaced both springs and the whole piston/tube assembly. Seems a bit slower, and yes, it's very old. Used to have it on an International Have mounted on front, now on a belarus on the three point. Used to drive 8 inch pointed post no problem, now they only go in about a foot. Confused on why it doesn't want to work plumbed to the reservoir and why it seems to not be pounding very hard?

Assuming I understand your posts correctly, the only thing that changed from the pounder working fine, to it not working, was you changed the return line.

Correct?

If so, that's where your problem is.

Have you tried putting the original return line back on the pounder?

 

[RickB]

Assuming I understand your posts correctly, the only thing that changed from the pounder working fine, to it not working, was you changed the return line.

Correct?

If so, that's where your problem is.

Have you tried putting the original return line back on the pounder?

Or he has the pressure and return reversed.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Also, make sure the entire assembly has some good lube on the slide rails! We always had to loosen ours up a little bit after it had been sitting for awhile and a good dousing of some light weight oil went a long ways!

Sounds like the best idea is to go back to the original condition and then change things one at a time to figure out where things went awry.

 

[J_J]

Assuming I understand your posts correctly, the only thing that changed from the pounder working fine, to it not working, was you changed the return line.

Correct?

If so, that's where your problem is.

Have you tried putting the original return line back on the pounder?

He said he installed a larger return line from the OUT port to tank.

The original hose was 3/4 in.

What is the valve OUT port size?

What is the fitting size, and is it restricted?

Are you using the valve PB back to tractor 3pt?

If not, then pump flow and cyl flow is flowing through the return hose.

 

[MikePA]

All these posts suggest great things to check or do.

However, I have worked in IT my entire career which involves a lot of problem solving. Many of the technical people want to dive into reacting to and resolving the symptoms.

My approach is simple, particularly in situations like this.

1. Something was working.
2. Something stopped working.

I ask myself, "What changed?"

1. Hoses were connected and disconnected
2. The return line was changed

As was just mentioned, return the pounder back to the condition it was in before all these changes and see if it works as it used to.

 

[J_J]

Actually, the question is why is the weight not dropping fast enough.

And yes, there is more to it than just switching a larger hose back to a smaller hose.

First thing, he said it was not working good enough.

He replaced the 3/4 hose with a larger hose thinking the fluid would flow better and going directly into the tank..

Still does not work as expected.

So answer the top question.

Perhaps the slide has some resistance in it, slowing it down. Use oil only not grease.

Is the slide/weight being raised all the way up.

Fitting going into the cyl is 1/2 in, the return port fitting is 3/4 in, with a larger hose.

The cyl should not be tight, once tight, back off the nut about 1/2 turn according the Shaver rep.

What now, swap the hoses back and hope it works like new.

I think there is a little more to the problem.

I like simple also, but usually doesn't happen.

 

[J_J]

Thanks for the replies! Was told the hitting force would be less because the smaller return would not let the valve dump fast enough. Yes it's a gresen valve, and yes I bugged the remote valve open. Thought about bypassing bypassing the remote valve but kind of in a a crappie spot. Works good up and down when plugged into the remotes.

The last sentence is what I don't understand.

I am not sure we have the full story.

but

If he only replaced the 3/4 hose with a 1 in hose,

Changed out the cyl and springs with new,

Made sure the cyl was parrallel to the housing,

Backed off the cyl nut 1/2 turn.

Oiled the slider bushings.

Then, the system should work like new.

 

[MikePA]

It works when hooked up to the rear remotes on my tractor,

...but I wanted more hit strength

...I plumbed a larger line for the return directly back to the hydraulic reservoir through the fill port.

...now it won't do anything

Works good up and down when plugged into the remotes.

I just replaced both springs and the whole piston/tube assembly. Seems a bit slower,

Used to have it on an International Have mounted on front, now on a belarus on the three point. Used to drive 8 inch pointed post no problem, now they only go in about a foot. Confused on why it doesn't want to work plumbed to the reservoir and why it seems to not be pounding very hard?

It's not clear whether it could 'drive an 8 inch post no problem';

1. On the International
2. On the Belarus before the OP made the changes

What now, swap the hoses back and hope it works like new.

I'm not out to start an argument. My goal was to get back to a working set up, make changes from there, and solve one problem at a time.

Good luck, OP.

 

[docshannon]

Sorry about all the confusion, it worked fine on the international. Doesn't seem to hit as hard on the belarus. Not sure what the pb valve is? And which nut shouldn't be tight? Lock nut on top or underneath the top of the ram? And yes I switched back to the quick attach hose, , ones up and down, but not with much strength. Thank you all for trying to help me out!

 

[docshannon]

It does pound with the quick attach's plugged into the remotes, just not really hard. So I'll the diameter of the springs for an HD 10 or 12 fit in n hd8?