Spot the problem

[Eugen]

Put the moldboard plow on the sleeve hitch and started to turn some soil in the hope of planting some potatoes. It was already dark, the kids went to bed. Went across the garden once and at the end of the row I pulled the plow up. When I did that there was a big spurt of oil to the left about in the middle of the tractor and the plow didn't move. Not happy about rotella t3 next to the garden, but at least it didn't happen in the garden!

Can you spot the problem?! Good thing that I got those parts tractors.

[Timj]

Yep, just when you think you're going to get something done.
I believe I've seen that this is a somewhat common failure. If you have a good one from a parts tractor, swapping it out is probably easiest.
I think I've seen where the cylinder was turned 90° and new holes drilled, or weld up the break and re-drill.
Tim

[Eugen]

Yep, just when you think you're going to get something done.
I believe I've seen that this is a somewhat common failure. If you have a good one from a parts tractor, swapping it out is probably easiest.
I think I've seen where the cylinder was turned 90° and new holes drilled, or weld up the break and re-drill.
Tim

This one's snapped too badly to be fixed, I think. Will see how good the one in the parts tractor is for swapping. Well, it kinda serves me right to plow on a Sunday.

[DavidBarkey]

Yep, just when you think you're going to get something done.
I believe I've seen that this is a somewhat common failure. If you have a good one from a parts tractor, swapping it out is probably easiest.
I think I've seen where the cylinder was turned 90° and new holes drilled, or weld up the break and re-drill.
Tim

This one's snapped too badly to be fixed, I think. Will see how good the one in the parts tractor is for swapping. Well, it kinda serves me right to plow on a Sunday.

I ripped the bottom of the holes right out of the 3 point cylinder on Frankie shortly after I got it not knowing the PO. had bottomed out the releaf valve . redrilled 90 deg.s , Cleaned up the burrs , new Orings and put back in reset the releaf valve . That was 7 years ago . Only thing that changed is the orientation of the upper line .
Dave

[Eugen]

Yep, just when you think you're going to get something done.
I believe I've seen that this is a somewhat common failure. If you have a good one from a parts tractor, swapping it out is probably easiest.
I think I've seen where the cylinder was turned 90° and new holes drilled, or weld up the break and re-drill.
Tim

This one's snapped too badly to be fixed, I think. Will see how good the one in the parts tractor is for swapping. Well, it kinda serves me right to plow on a Sunday.

I ripped the bottom of the holes right out of the 3 point cylinder on Frankie shortly after I got it not knowing the PO. had bottomed out the releaf valve . redrilled 90 deg.s , Cleaned up the burrs , new Orings and put back in reset the releaf valve . That was 7 years ago . Only thing that changed is the orientation of the upper line .
Dave

I also haven't checked the relief valve on this one. Could very well have been the problem. Not only the holes of the pin were ripped out, but the entire cylinder bottom was pushed out too! Crazy forces, welding on a Friday evening, or both? doesn't matter, it held for 50 years.

Something strange about my tractors though, the hugging and what, is one mounting the other?!

Took advantage of this opportunity and after some greasy persuasion it came out.

[Eugen]

The cylinder I got extra doesn't look so good. Quite a bit of pitting on the rod.

And after some wire brushing

Not ideal but it's all I got now.

[Timj]

It appears that these are a very simple hydraulic cylinder. 3 o rings and a seal. If it leaks or you think the ram is better in the broken cylinder, maybe you can just swap it out to the good cylinder. Never had one apart myself, but compared to regular hydraulic cylinders, it's pretty simple. 500psi is pretty low, if the seal is good maybe a little use will polish it up.
tim

[Eugen]

Tim, the cylinder is welded. I'd have to cut it and welded back together. Maybe I'll do it if it turns out to be leaky. Don't know if my welding skills are up to such a fine task though

[Timj]

Doesn't the base plate and the rod and piston just slide out the bottom of the cylinder?

[Eugen]

On the broken one does, but I didn't expect that'd be the case on the good one, I really thought the base plate is welded on. So that pin is the only thing that keeps it in place? Wow! Now that I didn't expect. I'll try to disassemble the parts one today. Thanks Tim!