1988 3CX stuck jack leg

[McSpud]

Hi Guys,
I'm a bit baffled this evening, I notice the right side jack leg is stuck in the up position, and won't press down, the left one is fine!
When I move the lever, it 'tries' to move down and the engine labours so I figure the hydraulics are ok, but what is in these legs to get stuck like that? I don't want to start pulling the top pin out in case theres some unknown in there and I won't be able to get it back!

Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks
Seamus

[gecko.cx]

The legs are very simple - just a 'tube in tube' with the cylinder in the centre.

The two things I'd check -
First, does the 'inner leg' seem free (is there any slop for it to rattle within the outer)?
Second, crack the return line from the cylinder and try to move the cylinder.

If the cylinder does extend it will squirt oil, so wrap a rag around the port to catch it.

If the cylinder 'does' extend with the return port open, you've got a hydraulic blockage.
If the cylinder 'does not' extend, you've got a mechanical seizure (maybe the cylinder or the inner to outer sleeve).

[remember to remove both hoses before removing the top pin or you risk damaging the hoses]

[essexpete]

Is it freezing where you are based?

[dixie-normous]

I had this happen on a 3c3, do the checks Gecko.cx suggests and if the hydraulics are ok i managed to free mine by pressing it down with a grading bucket on the back actor (a bit awkward trying to use 3 levers at once) and it freed it. Extend the legs fully, wire brush the crud off them and apply plenty of grease
John

[essexpete]

The problem with grease could be dirt sticking to the leg?

[dixie-normous]

This is true, maybe just brush the crud off

[McSpud]

Wow - thanks for your suggestions guys, I will try those tips and see what happens... Its hard to see how it can get stuck like that when its such a simple assembly. It does 'try' to move down, it gives a little tickle and you can see it taking up the slack in the top pin, but then the engine labours and it won't budge any further.
I'm in Ireland and we are hving a severe cold snap right now, I was thinking that it could be stuck frozen, but the machine is always indoors and dry, plus the other leg is fine so its unlikely a freezing problem...
I saw some horror sories on some YouTube videos of guys trying to get those top and bottom pins out, hopefully it won't come to that!!
I'll be back soon after I try those ideas!
Thanks again
Seamus

[diggerjones]

It will be frozen

[McSpud]

Hey guys,
I finally got around to looking at this today, and it does seem that the jack leg inner sleeve is stuck within the outer one.
Have any of you ever seen these get bent before? Seems to me thats teh ony way it could get jammed in there, I too a little video of it, the hydraulics is trying to push it out, and you can see the slack being taken up in the top pin, and the engine labouring against it, but no way will it push down.

Since I took this video, I removed the top pin and two pipes, and the hyd ram is now free, but the inside sleeve is steadfastly stuck.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D1vzoiWZL2o

Any thoughts or opinions?
Seamus

[essexpete]

Perhaps some debris got dragged in when retracting?