Installing 3-point hitch piston into cylinder

[Dougd]

Long story short, I need advice on replacing the cylinder for the 3-point hitch on my JD 4310, have the entire 3 point hitch "assembly" removed from the tractor (they call it a rockshaft assembly), have removed the piston from the cylinder, replaced the "seal" (same thing as a piston ring, in effect), but am hestitant to go any further as I'm afraid I'll destroy the "seal".
Can I just use an automotive ring-compressor, or even a large radiator hose-clamp to compress the seal and tap the piston into the cylinder?
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[kennyd]

A piston ring compressor will work if you can find one small enough, also apply a good coating of hydraulic oil to everything to help it slide in easily. What happened to the old seal? Did your 3PH leak down real bad?

 

[JC-jetro]

Long story short, I need advice on replacing the cylinder for the 3-point hitch on my JD 4310, have the entire 3 point hitch "assembly" removed from the tractor (they call it a rockshaft assembly), have removed the piston from the cylinder, replaced the "seal" (same thing as a piston ring, in effect), but am hestitant to go any further as I'm afraid I'll destroy the "seal".
Can I just use an automotive ring-compressor, or even a large radiator hose-clamp to compress the seal and tap the piston into the cylinder?
Any advice would be appreciated.

You will not at all need to use a ring compressor to install the seal. Seal is normally nylon based the cylinder has a chamfer to accept the lip of the double lip seal (most cases). You may find useful info from the thread below.
Look at the first page of the thread below.


JC,

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/nh-owning-operating/90819-my-f-1700-testing-my.html

 

[Dougd]

What happened to the old seal? Did your 3PH leak down real bad?

Broke the top 2 top link mounting points out of the rockshaft casting late last winter, finally getting around to replacing the casting. Have the old one off, moved what I have been able to) to the new casting, already ruined one seal (@26), trying to not ruin another.

 

[Soundguy]

If it is a rubber or similar 'oring' style seal.. you should be able to pop it in using a spoon working around each side after lubing it.

I've seen qute a few different hyd cyl setups.. some have the chamfer that JC talks about.. some don't.. on ones that don't, you must take care not to cut the oring.

If your piston uses metal rings like old fords did, then yeah, a ring compressor or a pievce of rolled roof tin can work.. if there is a chamfer.. it's even easier with the compressor.. etc..

If the old bore had deep scratches.. a brake hone may help.. but you have to watch tolerances and not open it up too much... remember to adequately wash out the cyl bore if you do hone it.

soundguy