Repairing a Speeco hydralic cylinder for a newb?

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I have a 10+ year old Speeco 35 ton log splitter that is leaking badly from the front seal on the 5x24" cylinder. I've never messed with repairing hydraulic systems before, so my knowledge level is pretty low on this.

I can't see any obvious way to remove.... anything on this beast (other than taking it off the splitter, of course).

How would I go about rebuilding this? Or is this a throw-away cylinder?

View attachment 503700

 

[CJONE]

That red disc that holds the front seal in will tap inward into the cylinder barrel. The you will see a large snap ring, wire ring that you have to take out to get the piece that holds the seal out, [head gland]. you mat have to take the front fitting out also, [sometimes that screws into the head gland] Then you have to take either the rod end off or the piston off to get to the rod seal. I would repack the whole cylinder if I were you, the piston seals are usually not far behind the rod as far as failing. Get a kit from speedco or take the seals to a hydraulic shop so they can be matched. CJ

 

[JRobyn]

I am a big fan of patronizing your local hydraulic repair shop. They (usually) have the knowledge, correct disassembly/assembly tools, sources for the best cost replacement parts, ability to also make repairs like rod straightening/polishing, testing rigs, and a warranty. For a referral to a trustworthy shop, call a local grading service and ask who they use for hydraulic work.

p.s. And then THEY will have puddles of hydraulic fluid all around THEIR shop instead of YOURS.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

That red disc that holds the front seal in will tap inward into the cylinder barrel. The you will see a large snap ring, wire ring that you have to take out to get the piece that holds the seal out, [head gland]. you mat have to take the front fitting out also, [sometimes that screws into the head gland] Then you have to take either the rod end off or the piston off to get to the rod seal. I would repack the whole cylinder if I were you, the piston seals are usually not far behind the rod as far as failing. Get a kit from speedco or take the seals to a hydraulic shop so they can be matched. CJ

Thank you! That's exactly the information I needed!

I certainly agree with doing it all when I'm in there. If there's a seal, I'll replace it!

:thumbsup:

 

[Texasmark]

Thank you! That's exactly the information I needed!

I certainly agree with doing it all when I'm in there. If there's a seal, I'll replace it!

:thumbsup:

Actually 2 sealing mechanisms:

1. When you do as J said and get the cap off you will see O ring seals for the shaft (may also be a wiper felt) and it to the cylinder body.

2. Then you will have the actual work "packing" on the end of the shaft which contains more seals and wipers.

Obviously both hydraulic hoses need to be open to the air so that the parts you are moving don't have to move against unnecessary internal pressure.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Ah, good. Thanks for that.

Currently waiting to hear back from Speeco on the parts. May have to open it up and do some parts matching, if they don't reply.

 

[CJONE]

I am a big fan of patronizing your local hydraulic repair shop. They (usually) have the knowledge, correct disassembly/assembly tools, sources for the best cost replacement parts, ability to also make repairs like rod straightening/polishing, testing rigs, and a warranty. For a referral to a trustworthy shop, call a local grading service and ask who they use for hydraulic work.

p.s. And then THEY will have puddles of hydraulic fluid all around THEIR shop instead of YOURS.

The sad thing is with the huge amount of imported cylinders on splitters, plows, dump trailers and the like is you can usually replace the cylinder for a few dollars more than a reseal and test. Most repairs that can be done without machine work are in the 150-200 range on smaller cylinders and that is with everything going right. So if the customer is capable of doing the work it is the best way for them, otherwise we have been sticking to commercial applications and getting away from cylinders that are cheaply replaced. CJ

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The splitter should be old enough that it has the US sourced parts, before Oregon bought out Speeco and went cheap.

Have a Speeco 33 ton splitter made in 2001 and it is still going strong with all original parts.

David

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

Speeco has always sourced parts overseas (usually China). Oregon didn't buy them, the parent company of Oregon, Blount, bought them, and then was bought by another investment firm in 2015.