Loader Hydraulics

Magicman · July 20, 2016, 02:27:08 PM

I noticed when I got home from last sawing job that the loader feet had relaxed a bit. ???

That did not look right and I was certain that I fully closed the loader before traveling.

The next morning they looked like this. Yup Houston, we have a problem.

Those cylinders are only 18 years old, but they need rebuilding. Off of the sawmill and off to the shop they go.

Having them rebuilt at the shop cost me $210 labor, but in this instance, it was worth it.

Almost done with the reassembly.

No final picture because they look like they are supposed to look, and whatdoyouknow, lever up, they go up, and lever down, they go down. That plus I almost got a complete fluid change out in the deal. ;D

rasman57 · July 20, 2016, 02:38:47 PM

Your attention to detail is one of the big reasons that mill has such longevity and great service history. Take care of your equipment and your equipment will take care of you.....old saying

autotomk · July 20, 2016, 02:54:31 PM

Did you use ATF and any paticular brand.

Magicman · July 20, 2016, 03:35:55 PM

Yes ATF, and whatever is the cheapest, generally Wal-Mart.

Had I noticed that there is only one major cylinder (log turner) that has not been rebuilt, it would have been done while I had it down. Matter of fact if the claw starts creeping up I'll go ahead and pull the toe board cylinders so they will all be done. Age is a killer as well as usage.

Sawmill Man · July 20, 2016, 03:45:40 PM

Very unusual for both cylinders to go bad at the same time. I would have figured it to be valve related.

Magicman · July 20, 2016, 04:16:58 PM

I doubt that both cylinders actually simultaneously failed. They are both on the same 'circuit" so I could push one leg up and the other would come down. Whether one had previously failed and the other was holding both legs, or if one fails the fluid will back flow and allow the other to release, I do not know. The hydraulic repairman told me that they were both in bad shape and needed kits. Of course due to the fact that they were both 18 years old, rebuilding only one was never a thought.