Newbie to hydrolics

[Kendrick]

I am getting a mower/conditioner back to running state. it has 1 big cilinder to move the blades in and out of operational range. I would suspect they were used on an old olie.

I need to know if i should be replacing the lines or not. I also dont think they are qa and if they are would they work with my new kioti?

any inspection gotcha's for a older hydro cilinder or lines? I do know the connectors are crimped so it would be adapters or replacement to change fittings.

 

[RonMar]

Well if you are going to add Quick connects, you will most likley need some type adapter. Just about any hydraulic shop should be able to help you plumb this.

As for cylinder condition, that will depend on how it was last stored and the condition of the oil in the system when it was stored. Oil and water don't mix and any water in the oil will eventually settle to the lowest parts of the assembly. This area could be corroded/pitted and allow fluid to pass by the piston seals as they pass thru this area. This will show up as the cylinder slowing down or stopping completely somewhere along it's stroke and requiring a mechanical push thru this area. If you have a pressure gauge on the system, you will see the pressure drop while this is happening as the fluid takes the easier path around the piston instead of pushing it along.

If it was stored with the rod extended, that portion of rod that was exposed could be weathered and corroded and will ultimately wear out the rod seal. If it has corrosion or pitting on the rod or bore, there is not much that can be done and the cylinder will need to be replaced.

If it was stored with the cylinder fully retracted with good clean fluid, the cylinder may be perfectly operational.

Good luck

 

[chrisjbell]

It depends on how old the thing is, but it is likely that the hydraulic lines are going to be in gnarly shape. The most obvious symptom will be cracked lines. That doesn't mean they'll fail for sure, but does mean they are old. If you are going to need to use different fittings, you'll probably be better off just replacing the lines with the fittings you need, rather than trying to mess around with trying to adapt old lines / fittings to your needs.

Find a shop that builds hydraulic lines and have new ones made with the fittings you need, would be my suggestion. They won't be cheap - it is just the nature of the beast. They won't cost you much more than trying to make / find adapters, though, I'll bet.

 

[Rara Avis]

Depending where you are in Vermont...Champlain Valley Equipment or Hendy Brothers, both in Middlebury do reasonable hydraulic hose replacement work...

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Here is exactly what I tell my customers when asked this exact question:

1. Is it leaking right now?
If yes, then replace/repair it.
2. Will it leak in the future? Or, How long will it last?
Your guess is as good as mine. Chances are if you are asking this question, you should just replace it. The whole thing boils down to how much you want to spend for which problems you would like to avoid. I have seen hoses that I thought would be just fine, only to have them spit up oil like a toddler spitting out castor oil. Hey, did I just date myself here?

 

[Kendrick]

Heres a pic of the topend. It was stored with it nearly/all the way depressed... it is set for single action.



heres a pic of the hoses... parts have warn down to the braiding.



Any idea what a 10' or so hose runs?

 

[Wayne County Hose]

It depends on what vsize hose and what style fittings. I will take a guess. For 3/8" 2-wire hose and #6 JIC female ends, you're looking at about $80 to get locally.
Now, looking at the cylinder, given your previous posts, if it is leaking, I would just buy a new one. Hard to tell from the pix, but you could probably buy that cylinder for about $130 with shipping. And it comes with a 2 year warranty. To rebuild your cylinder would be about half the cost of new and given it's age, no guarantee. One thing I would advise is to remove the vented plug from your cylinder and replace it. If it sees frequent use, I like to put a barbed fitting in the vent and run a short piece of hose to an in line fuel filter. The only thing vented plugs do is keep out large debris. Okay for light use.

 

[RonMar]

Single acting cylinder, vented plug, long inactivity... I would try it to see how it works, but if it dosn't, just replace it as the bore is probably not in the best shape.

 

[MudtrekkerMD]

I just replaced a 10' hose on the loader. Tractor Supply Company (TSC, a chain store ) in Westminster, MD didn't have anything over 7' so just bought two 5' hoses and a swival connector (all they had for Female-Female connections) to join both halves together.

Paid a total of about $31.00 total with state sales tax. Hoses probadly made in Asia but were rated so will hold pressure and they work just fine.

$31.00 vs $80-100 to have one made up by local shop. Same quality, much better price.
TSC web page: http://www.tractorsupply.com

MudtrekkerMD.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Paid a total of about $31.00 total with state sales tax. Hoses probadly made in Asia but were rated so will hold pressure and they work just fine.

$31.00 vs $80-100 to have one made up by local shop. Same quality, much better price.
TSC web page: http://www.tractorsupply.com

MudtrekkerMD.

Ummmm, being the kinder, gentler me, I am going to withhold comment on the quality.