Sprung a Leak.

L.Fure · Aug 4, 2015

I was using my loader tractor yesterday and noticed that it developed a leak on one of the lift cylinders. Sprung wouldn't be the right word here, because when I bought the tractor it had a piece of inner tube clamped to the lower part of the cylinder with a hose clamp. It hadn't leaked until yesterday. I suppose to fix this right I'll have to remove the cylinder and weld the suspected crack, or is there an easier was to do this?

Steve@Advance · Aug 4, 2015

A lot depends on where it's cracked and why it cracked.
If the crack is away from the seal area, it could be welded. As for why it cracked, fatigue? A one time event? If it fatigue cracked or is in a seal area might be best to find another cylinder.

L.Fure · Aug 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 13:59:14 08/04/15) A lot depends on where it's cracked and why it cracked.
If the crack is away from the seal area, it could be welded. As for why it cracked, fatigue? A one time event? If it fatigue cracked or is in a seal area might be best to find another cylinder.

I suspect it's a crack. The previous owner obviously tried fixing it with the inner tube and hose clamp. Never leaked until yesterday. I'll take a closer look at it this morning. Might be as simple as re-clamping the inner tube, maybe.

notjustair · Aug 4, 2015

I knew an old man that used this as his favorite
plumbing fix. Wilbur could ruin anything.

A piece of tube on a pipe is one thing. You are
running a loader with lots of weight on that end (for
some reason I envision the crack at the bottom
where the cylinder joins the clevis portion). Take it in
and get it welded.

L.Fure · Aug 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:09:46 08/04/15) I knew an old man that used this as his favorite
plumbing fix. Wilbur could ruin anything.

A piece of tube on a pipe is one thing. You are
running a loader with lots of weight on that end (for
some reason I envision the crack at the bottom
where the cylinder joins the clevis portion). Take it in
and get it welded.

I just got in from checking out the leak. The cap on the cylinder had been brazed on instead of welded. The leak is right at the end of the bead. If the fella who did the brazing would have continued just a little further it would have been sealed. I tried adding a little more brass to it, but I couldn't get it to seal. I thought I might get lucky and get the brass to flow before the oil got hot, but no such luck. So I filed the brass flat where the hole was and clamped a piece of cork/neoprene gasket material on it. It holds oil, but will have to be fixed right at a later time. Right now I'm using it for another project. Before I do a proper repair I want to finish the project I'm welding together, but before I can proceed with that I need to replace the cord on my angle grinder. But before I even start any of that I have to take my mother in law to a doctor appointment.

notjustair · Aug 4, 2015

Sounds like things here. Just check it and add
another patch! I always say that since I am the only
one using something it will last. The problem comes
when your brother hops on something and busts the
weld because he didn't know to watch that spot.
Don't ask how I know. I'm just glad wifey doesn't
know how to drive anything with a clutch.

L.Fure · Aug 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 16:25:10 08/04/15) Sounds like things here. Just check it and add
another patch! I always say that since I am the only
one using something it will last. The problem comes
when your brother hops on something and busts the
weld because he didn't know to watch that spot.
Don't ask how I know. I'm just glad wifey doesn't
know how to drive anything with a clutch.

I have a feeling the patch will stay on as long as it holds. In time I'll forget about it until it starts leaking again. The piece of inner tube had softened from exposure to the oil. Hopefully the gasket material will last a lot longer.

Sprung a Leak.

L.Fure

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Steve@Advance

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L.Fure

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notjustair

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L.Fure

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notjustair

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L.Fure

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