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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 36 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 36 | Ok! Do not do this at HOME kids… Well it has seemed that old man winter has decided to show up this year finely. So, I am going to rebuild my hydrovac unit on my 47 Loadmaster. After removing the hydrovac from the truck and back in the warm garage I start on the disassembly process. Using the info from here http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bendix/erickson/ So, I get to the point to where I need to separate the canister from the front plate and I don’t want hit with hammer or anything like that because I don’t want to brake the J bolt ears off. Ah HA! I got it! I’ll apply some air pressure in canister and it pop off. I applied some air pressure and the piston moves inside the canister, Hummm … this will take a little bit more pressure if I want it to separate. So, again I applied air pressure and the piston moves in again. So, I applied a lil more and the canister starts to separate and move apart…….. (Ok, here’s the part where Houdini comes in) Because at this point it’s gone and my bench is cleared of my hydrovac , my tools , My beer and there is oil everywhere. WTF! The canister is now over next to the Mercedes and the front plate it on the other side of the garage next to my wife’s new Ford Edge! WOW, I didn’t see that coming. I thought it would just pop off with a loud pop but, DANG! Good thing is No one got hurt, both the cars are ok and this is a lesson learned that I can laugh about now. The other good news is there are kits available for the most of our Hydrovac units; I found my rebuild kit at Cadillac Parts LTD. Mike has a most parts in stock for our Hydrovac and can put you a complete kit together a very for a reasonable price. http://www.cadillacpartsltd.com/
Last edited by Farm Dawg; 02/16/2016 11:42 PM.
1947.2 Chevy 2-Ton 161". Motor- 1962 235cid
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy Farm Dawg, I'm glad no one was hurt and nothing damaged and a lesson on the power of compressed air was learned. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,597 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,597 | Really glad you and anything else did not get hurt.
How much pressure do you think it had when it blew? Some big air operated valves are taken apart the same way, BUT, they are contained by some means and released by some kind of threaded device, I have even mounted them in a lathe and released them with the tail stock.
Good safety tip! You might change the thread title to " Hydrovac Safety Tip".
Don
Last edited by 2-Ton; 02/17/2016 1:00 AM.
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck"The Flag Pole"In the Stovebolt Gallery1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most! | | | | | Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 36 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 36 | Good Idea there 2-Ton. Funny thing, I can't find my Cat. He was always in the garge with me. I think he may have pack his Cat nip and bag of toys and peaced out. LOL, I'm sure he show up at dinner time when I pop that can of food. OH! HERE He is. HE see that I'm on the computttttttt[ohfbp9wqyrgb QWDWEIUHPNI[';L GET OFF the KEY BOARD!! GGEEEzzzz.
Oh yea, Air pressure? I didn't think I had put that much into the canister. I din't have it sealed or anything. I had the compressor set at 90 psi for my shop tools. I should have turned that down also.
(True storie)
Last edited by Farm Dawg; 02/17/2016 12:01 AM.
1947.2 Chevy 2-Ton 161". Motor- 1962 235cid
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | I called Cadillac Parts, they said they would send me a kit for my GMC 630 next week, sounds great.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,792 | For a real eye-opener, calculate the number of square inches in a big rig tire sidewall, and multiply it by 110 PSI. That bead ring on a multi-piece tube-type wheel has about 40 TONS of push against it! Air pressure isn't something to take chances with!
Those Firestone RH-5 wheels got the name "widowmaker" for a good reason! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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