Hydraulic cylinder rechrome

[PaulinLI]

The two hydraulic rams on my JD 420 dozer got very rusty this year. What is the best solution to fixing them. Each is approx 18 inches long. Should they be replaced or rebuilt? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[IaGary]

I would run them until the seal gets bad and starts to leak.

Then take them to a machine shop and have them build you new rams. You may be able to get them thru parts at JD as well.

Put in a new seal kit and you should be good for another 40 years.

Gary

 

[PaulinLI]

Thanks for the response. The seals were already leaking before the chrome developed rather large rusty patches. Im already figuring on replacing the seals. Its the chrome rod that im worrying about. I visited a local machine shop and they said im better off just buying 2 new ones from northern tool.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you can fit a universal cylinder from Northern, Baum, or Surplus Center, you can't touch the price of a rechrome job. If you have to buy new cylinders from the machinery maker you still probably won't touch the price of a rechrome job on your piston rods. A machine shop may be able to buy rod blanks (already chromed) from Baum Hydraulics and make a new rod at a decent price compared to having your old rods ground down, plated back oversize and ground to diameter. Its even possible that a place like Baum or your machinery maker may have replacement rods already machined cheaper than machine work or a whole new cylinder.

Ten or 12 years ago I was quoted $450 a cylinder to rechrome and reseal. New rods cost less than $100 a cylinder, but new cylinders were under $200.

Gerald J.

 

[MN Scott]

You can remove the rust with a wire wheel if it is not to pitted. Install new seals and keep the rods greased when not in use and you will get years of use from them.

 

[PaulinLI]

Thanks for all of the responses. I spoke with my JD dealer and they suggested cleaning rod and new seal kit.

 

[PaulinLI]

I got the Jd part #s but another post said NOT to use Deeres kit. Can anyone give my a name of one i can order from? Thanks again