Carolina press cylinder rebuild

John_Dennis

John_Dennis

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I just bought this press on craigslist. It will need a seal kit but otherwise seems to work well. Has anyone disassembled one of these? I am hoping it can be taken apart without any special tools.

When the ram is fully extended, there is a groove that extends just past the lip seal. I suspect that there once was a snap ring that limited travel or some kind of O ring. The empty groove will eat the new seals if I don't put something in it.

Thanks

John



IMG_3064.jpg IMG_3065.jpg
 
I would not imagine a snap ring would stop the ram... it would just chew it up and spit it out. Good luck, that's a lot of press.
 
I have the exact same press ... It has a small leak also... I opted to deal with it instead of opening a can of worms so to speak.. Also put an air over hydraulic on it to get rid of the two speed hand pump...


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It is not a small leak. Whatever was removed from that groove by the PO prevented the edges of the groove from eating the seal. I haven't messed with the pump yet, how does the 2 speed work? I don't see anything but the fill cap and release valve. Mine may be a simpler model.
 
I have the same 50 ton press, only red. It has a cable and ratchet to raise and lower the steel u channels. Works good ,but my brother keeps it at his shop. No leaks yet on mine.
Cheers
Martin
 
I have one of these, too... and one of their saws. I had a leak from the pump, but an o-ring fixed it. I've never been into the cylinder. They are still around, but in Greensville, SC, so you might be able to buy a new cylinder. In the day, I was told that all of the component parts were produced overseas. I think most of these tools became "distressed" properties, at one time, so I'd expect some repair to be necessary.....
 
I spoke with Carolina tool today, the Ram on my press is an import, as are all their rams with an internal return spring. They do not know anything about the import rams and do not sell parts or have any technical information.

I was able to find some info from the link BuffDan provided http://www.hcrcnow.com/shop/seal-kits/ramco-carolina I spoke with one of their Techs. Apparently there is a screw that is either inside the hydraulic inlet or under the base that holds the return spring. This screw or plug must be removed before attempting disassembly.

It seems that the design is the same as a bottle jack. There will be some kind of retaining collar under the lip seal that allows the piston to be removed.
 
We'd appreciate knowing how it works out for you, and any findings you can pass on. Thanks!

I've had good fortune working with a local hydraulic shop on several projects, one was 60 year old cylinder seals, packing, etc. Hopefully there is one in your neighborhood.

Dan
 
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I disassembled the press today. It was not as complicated as I thought. The site BuffDan suggested, http://www.hcrcnow.com/shop/seal-kits/ramco-carolina/5369 showed some photos of a more complex arrangement and technical support told me to look for a hidden bolt to release the spring.

Mine is very simple, one recessed socket head bolt on the end of the ram to release the spring and a threaded end cap that was barely tight. My local hydraulic part supplier did not have one in stock at the Houston location so i ordered one from ebay.

10.00 with shipping



https://vod.ebay.com/vod/FetchOrder...352015&itemid=252783299453&qu=1&ul_noapp=true

http://www.ebay.com/usr/adrian22305

I never did figure out what the lower groove is for. Because this is a single acting cylinder, there is no shaft seal.
 
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