Thread: hydraulic cylinder rebuild

I came across what I hope was a good deal. I got a used cylinder for my log splitter build it is 3 1/2x28x1.5. The cylinder came off of a case backhoe. it needs new packing and o-ring. I know nothing about rebuilding a cylinder but I got it for 30 bucks so was it a good deal or not. Does anyone know how to rebuild one or can someone tell me were to get the parts and info on how to rebuild. any feed back would be great. thanks clint

I have rebuilt many smaller cylinders for golf course equipment and it is not that difficult just make sure EVERYTHING is clean before reassembly. You should be able to get the rebuild kit for that cylinder at a case dealer.

Id say holding the cylinder to wrench off packing nut and taking off packing nut would be the hardest. We used to put them in a big press and undo nut.Then take cylinder out of press and put rod in the press to do the packing. If you know the model it came off thats good for getting parts.

dont know the model but the cylinder I have already took the rod out and the inside looks pretty smooth. the guy said that the end of the rod got bent years ago and that he cut the rod and cylinder down about 2in. This guy owned a machine shop for many years and he had the cylinder for the same thing I need it for. I guess for 30 buck and a little work is better than 150 or more. I forgot to tell its a weld cylinder.

I dont think it being a welded cylinder means much. I thought if you knew what machine it came off of when you go to dealer it would be easier to find kit. If you have it apart already your halfway there.

if you can't get the parts from case, try any local hydr rebuild shop. Most piston seals, o-rings, backup washers and rod seals are pretty generic to those in the trade. Parker sort of owns the seal niche, but others also. There are standard groove sizes that the rebuild shop can measure and fit you with parts. Nothing special here for temperatures or fluids, so should be easy to find parts.

What I would weigh is the size, 3.5 a bit on the small size. and there is some extra stroke, making the whole machine longer (unless you need the stroke then it is a good thing.)
I am building a 3 x 20 for scrounging wood, but that is a very small lightweight machine. For a trailer type, I would start at 4 inch bore.
So you have to weight the cost of rebuilding, and the smaller bore size vs. cost of a new cylinder.

kcj



kcj

I had the cylinder on our log splitter repaired this past fall. Brother's-in-law took the ram out of it and I took it and the housing to the local farm equipment dealer. He ordered parts, installed parts & put the whole thing back together for around $70 which I didn't think was too bad a price. Down time was about 4 days only because they had to order parts.

Shari

I called a local shop today and they said they could get the rebuild kit and put it all back together and pressure check the cylinder for 100 plus they garantee there work. the long stroke I dont need but I was thinking that I would put the wedge to split 24 inch wood that should work I think. 100 to rebuild and I give 30 for the cylinder I still think I am doing ok. So far I have the H beam,hydraulic tank wheels and tires and cylinder all for the 30 bucks. after I get the cylinder rebuild I am going to start puting it all together. thanks for the info clint

Originally Posted by 142TN

I called a local shop today and they said they could get the rebuild kit and put it all back together and pressure check the cylinder for 100 plus they garantee there work. the long stroke I dont need but I was thinking that I would put the wedge to split 24 inch wood that should work I think. 100 to rebuild and I give 30 for the cylinder I still think I am doing ok. So far I have the H beam,hydraulic tank wheels and tires and cylinder all for the 30 bucks. after I get the cylinder rebuild I am going to start puting it all together. thanks for the info clint

How do you change the hydraulic hoses? do you have bleed them out when replaced. I just bought a used on and i want to replace a few hoses. What kind of clamps would I use.

The hydraulic system for a log splitter normally will self bleed by full cycling the cylinder a few times without load.