I have a MF 50E Powershuttle anns am resealing the Hyd. system. One of the bucket cylinders has an end cap that is frozen in place it will not rotate, preventing removal of the retainer wire. I have tried a four Ft. pipe wrench, no joy. Tried heating the barrel as well. I have fabricated a "spanner" to correctly engage the flats on the end cap and am about out of other ideas. Is this problem common?

Thanks, bob

Problem with this style of ram head, is that the weather gets down thru where the wire clip is fitted, then rusts the barrel to the head. The orifice should always be sealed after refitment with a small amount of silastic, simple. Now, you may need to take to the outer area of the cylinder in the area of the ram head, with a hammer.... I'm not kidding! Rest the cylinder on a heavy anvil or equivalent, and hit the opposite side of the barrel with the hammer. Repeat this process all the way around the diameter of the cylinder. What you are attempting to do, is to slightly "stretch" the cylinder metal. This will eventually give you a small amount of clearance between the two parts. Now, take to it with your spanner, taking care the that the wire ring also turns with the head. THIS IS IMPORTANT, cause if it doesn't, the tag on the wire clip will break off in the ram head, making removal of the clip almost impossible, believe me. Been there, done that!!! Let us know how you get on, regards, Evan.

Hooray ! it worked. I did soak the parts in penetrating oil (Kroil, acetone,Automatic transmission fluid and wintergreen) for a day before giving it the "ball peen treatment" but it loosened after about two-three revolutions of the cylinder on the anvil.

Thank you very much for the tip.

Bob

Thank you Evan, I will do as you have suggested, actually My Dan a plumber used this method to loosen rusted iron pipes, I should have remembered it !!!

Thank you,

bob