Leaking hydraulic cylinders

[Jping1492]

I’m looking at a Thomas 1970 skid steer but is has several external hydraulic cylinder leaking

 

[Fritz Maurer]

The parts for the cylinders are probably 20$ / cylinder. Easy to fix as long as the rods not bent or the chrome peeling/dented

 

[Jping1492]

The parts for the cylinders are probably 20$ / cylinder. Easy to fix as long as the rods not bent or the chrome peeling/dented

Thank you I did buy it so if I have any problems I will post it

 

[Jping1492]

Ok I am not sure if all of the seals are readily available. Does anyone have any idea of where I can go to find them

 

[Steve-Maine]

Ok I am not sure if all of the seals are readily available. Does anyone have any idea of where I can go to find them

There is a place call Seals Unlimited that can match up as cylinder seals. Also most hydraulic shops can. Sure a lot chipper than dealers Good Luck

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Ok I am not sure if all of the seals are readily available. Does anyone have any idea of where I can go to find them

Ideally, you would find a hydraulic shop in a nearby population center. You're not going to go online and order "Thomas cylinder rebuild kit" from Amazon. You will likely have to match up individual components based on dimensions and style. There are thousands upon thousands of different seals so it really helps to know what you're looking at and how to measure it. Otherwise you're looking through catalogs for hours.

These cylinders can sometimes be difficult to get apart, requiring larger tools and the ability to apply more torque than the average home mechanic is equipped for.

 

[wp6529]

These cylinders can sometimes be difficult to get apart, requiring larger tools and the ability to apply more torque than the average home mechanic is equipped for.

Indeed...

 

[Jping1492]

There is a place call Seals Unlimited that can match up as cylinder seals. Also most hydraulic shops can. Sure a lot chipper than dealers Good Luck

Thank you. The previous owner told me to take pictures as I take it apart and then as I remove the seals put them on a string in the order they came off. Then take them to a place in Lansing but he couldn’t remember the name. I will call seals unlimited

 

[Jping1492]

Ideally, you would find a hydraulic shop in a nearby population center. You're not going to go online and order "Thomas cylinder rebuild kit" from Amazon. You will likely have to match up individual components based on dimensions and style. There are thousands upon thousands of different seals so it really helps to know what you're looking at and how to measure it. Otherwise you're looking through catalogs for hours.

These cylinders can sometimes be difficult to get apart, requiring larger tools and the ability to apply more torque than the average home mechanic is equipped for.

Thank you. I will try to get them apart and if I can’t I will take the whole cylinder in and let them do it.

 

[Mule Meat]

About to tear into the leaking dipper cylinder on my hoe. Think I will replace all of the seals and O rings while I have it apart.

As they say. I do not want to do this job twice.

 

[wp6529]

Thank you. The previous owner told me to take pictures as I take it apart and then as I remove the seals put them on a string in the order they came off. Then take them to a place in Lansing but he couldn’t remember the name. I will call seals unlimited

The idea of stringing the old seals or even taking pictures of them sounds nice however my experience on many cylinders is that be the time they start leaking many seals are amazingly deteriorated and disintegrate when trying to remove them.

 

[chvet73]

My wife once ran the office in a cylinder shop. Be ready for sticker shock if you want them to do the repairs.

 

[wp6529]

Keep in mind surpluscenter . com if you can't do the rebuild yourself. Very good chamce you can buy a new replacement cylinder there for less that your local hydraulic shop will charge to put $25 worth of seals in your old cylinder. Seriously, many hydraulic shops charge more than lawyers...

 

[Jim.ME]

Keep in mind surpluscenter . com if you can't do the rebuild yourself. Very good chamce you can buy a new replacement cylinder there for less that your local hydraulic shop will charge to put $25 worth of seals in your old cylinder. Seriously, many hydraulic shops charge more than lawyers...

Also need to keep in mind the cylinders must match, so if one cannot get one that identically matches the old cylinder, both cylinders should be replaced to prevent twisting the frame or a cylinder. A hydraulic shop should be able to give an estimate of rebuild cost.