1988 3CX stuck jack leg

[gecko.cx]

The jack legs are pretty tough, but is there a chance it was extended while driving?

Perhaps put a drain pan under and pour oil between the inner and outer? It'll be messy, but might make the difference.

Next idea is to swing the boom around to full travel and use the bucket lip to press on the foot. (you'd need to work the leg ram at the same time or you'd be fighting the hydraulics)

[McSpud]

yeah I guess that could have happened, but I wonder if I left the hoses off of the top of the ram, and then try tickle the pad with the tooth of a wider bucket.... I was thinking of welding a cage over the top of the outer sleeve, and force it down with a bottle jack inside it...but that alot of work, plus I don't really want to go welding onto the thing.... I'll try that idea with the buket though! Thanks!

[gecko.cx]

leave the top hose on, but remove the bottom/return line - the smallest movement will cause oil to come out which will be a good indicator

[essexpete]

Is there any sideway/fore and aft movement at the foot end of the leg? When the legs are worn you can move them inside the outer sleeve with a bar against the foot.

[McSpud]

leave the top hose on, but remove the bottom/return line - the smallest movement will cause oil to come out which will be a good indicator

Great idea!!! I'll do that!!!

[McSpud]

Is there any sideway/fore and aft movement at the foot end of the leg? When the legs are worn you can move them inside the outer sleeve with a bar against the foot.

Nope, its jammed solid. I'm going to try it again in the next hour and see..... this can't be rocket science, but I really hope when I eventualy do get it out, that its not bent....

[McSpud]

Jeez this thing is really trying my patience.

So I took off the bottom hose and gave it a good few slaps downwards with the cheek of a wide bucket, but still no budge.
I'm going to have to try take the ram out of it altogether and try sledge it out, if even that'll work!

[gecko.cx]

Geez - I thought that would get it moving.
Were you able to work the ram at the same time?

[McSpud]

Geez - I thought that would get it moving.
Were you able to work the ram at the same time?

ha! thats tricky to do, I wasn't really ablet to get a good slap at it while using the 'down' lever on the leg, but with the pipe off you'd think it wouldn't offer any restistance anyway. But tomorrow I'm going to try get that bottom pin out - it should clear the outer sleeve, and lift out the ram altogether out of it, at least then I could find something to fit into the outer sleeve on top and pound on that inner sleeve with the sledge and hopefully change its mind.....

[dixie-normous]

If you can press down on it with the bucket and pull the jack leg lever at the same time you will have the extra force of the jack ram working on it, try tying a piece of rope round the lever and looping it behind your leg to pull on it while you use the back actor