The Classic Machinery Network

My 580BT has not been forgotten I got her running today and had planned to change the engine coolant drain tap which has a very slight weep however I became preoccupied with a new issue I discovered on the Poclain so that was that as they say.

Jeremy

Been a while now since I have got to do anything on the old gal so I was delighted to find that "Darren the glass" had finally shown up and fitted the new 'kick screen' and cab side window when I turned up this last Saturday before Andrew's working event, I also had a new back window put in the cab because the old one was a Perspex screen.
The Hymac did not operate at this working event; I have more parts ready to fit on her when the chance presents itself.

Jeremy

She is looking good

Andy80 wrote:She is looking good

Andy she is slowly getting there; all being well on my next visit I intend to fit the two reconditioned boom hoist cylinders, then the next big job is the removal of the dipper arm because I suspect (99%) that she has a crack on the boom fork that needs attention then I can finally fit the reconditioned dipper arm ram, I intend to replace all the flexi hydraulic hoses at the same time, well that's the plan anyway so will just have to see how it all works out.

Jeremy

Every progress is a step forward. I will have to rebuild the bucket ram in the future. It leaks a little. But not so bad yet.

Andy80 wrote:Every progress is a step forward. I will have to rebuild the bucket ram in the future. It leaks a little. But not so bad yet.

Yes me too my bucket ram is well and truly knackered; fortunately there is a 580BT that is being broken for spare parts locally so that is one part on my shopping list.

Jeremy

You seem to have a lot more used parts to get hold on over there. I dont know a singel one scraped Hymac i Sweden

Andy80 wrote:You seem to have a lot more used parts to get hold on over there. I dont know a singel one scraped Hymac i Sweden

That's because you look after them over there1

Jeremy

Yes, maybe it is that way

Hi Jeremy...I see you are getting on well with your Hymac...she is looking good.
I see you are intending to rebuild the bucket ram...Mine was leaking pretty badly too, so in the end, I replaced the seals about 18 months ago.
It is a more difficult job than you can imagine due to the weight and size of the ram so make sure you have plenty of help and a tractor/loader or teleporter..

I did it without removing the ram from the machine.
First, I disconnected the piston end from the bucket and tried to drain as much oil as I could.
Then propped the cylinder up with wood.
After many attempts to remove the end cap, I had to borrow a 6 foot (2 metre) stilson wrench from a local engineering works, I have a photo of it.



I then got my dad to pull the piston out with the front end loader on the tractor and I caught the piston on my shoulder, as oil belched out, all over me.
I physically carried it to our Jeep (I am now recovering from a double hernia operation!!) and we took it to the engineering works and they pressed out and replaced the "eye" at the piston end, where it connects to the bucket linkages. I managed to source a brand new original eye from our local breaker, and I even had to slightly grind the lip of this bush/eye to get it to fit in the piston. The workers at the enginnering works made me do it myself, with their equipment, as they wouldn't take responsibility if something went wrong.

The seals were straightforward to put on the piston and the reassembly was the opposite of the disassembly, with me, again, supporting it on my shoulder, as my dad pushed it back in with the tractor.

It is a success, and it is a pity I didn't take more photos at the time. I just advise you to have help and a teleporter and a full day as, like any job on the Hymac, it can turn out more bother than you think.

Good luck and keep up the good work.
Alex