Kwikway Loader Resurrection

[Jrblanke 857]

Good afternoon!

I have a Kwikway Front End Loader that has been sitting for about 8 years. When I first got the loader it was in good working order, but has not been run since the old 520H I got the frame mounted up last night and the next step is to get the lift arms, pump and bucket mounted tonight. Before I connect the pump and run it, I was wondering if there was anything I should do to prevent damaging the pump.

 

Fortunately it was stored with the hydraulic cylinders fully collapsed, so the reservoir should be full of fluid. My current plan is to drain the reservoir and refill before running it. Hopefully that will prevent the pump from being ruined by any rust flakes or water that have accumulated over the years. Other than that, I was planning to read the manual and make sure I didn’t miss anything.

[lynnmor 7,302]

I would try to flush the cylinders by pumping them so that you have a complete oil change.

[8ntruck 6,993]

I would expect that there is a filter somewhere in the system.  Ought to plan on replacing that as well.  They are usually located between the tank and the pump.

 

[Jrblanke 857]

1 hour ago, 8ntruck said:

I would expect that there is a filter somewhere in the system.  Ought to plan on replacing that as well.  They are usually located between the tank and the pump.

 

 

There is no filter! But that's a great idea. Maybe I could adapt one in. I'll see what's out there. 

[Jrblanke 857]

3 hours ago, lynnmor said:

I would try to flush the cylinders by pumping them so that you have a complete oil change.

 

Great suggestion! 

[lynnmor 7,302]

11 minutes ago, Jrblanke said:

 

Great suggestion! 

The Owners Manual does give a procedure for changing the oil, but that needs the system to be complete and not exactly what you want.

[Jrblanke 857]

5 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

The Owners Manual does give a procedure for changing the oil, but that needs the system to be complete and not exactly what you want.

 

I agree, I was just reading through it before leaving work. I feel like I should probably blow out the lines too. Having not messed with hydraulic cylinders before, Im not sure what to expect, but I would like I could just manually push the cylinders in by hand. Am I correct in my thinking?

 

 

[lynnmor 7,302]

1 hour ago, Jrblanke said:

 

I agree, I was just reading through it before leaving work. I feel like I should probably blow out the lines too. Having not messed with hydraulic cylinders before, Im not sure what to expect, but I would like I could just manually push the cylinders in by hand. Am I correct in my thinking?

 

 

You would need to disconnect a cylinder end, then operate the valves while you stroke the cylinder by hand.  You could undo a hose if you don’t want to cycle oil thru the valve.  I suggest that you leave the hose fittings alone if they are dry.

 

I never added a filter, it would be a good idea IF you could find a place that is out of harms way.  I did flush the bottom of the tank with diesel fuel and then with some hydraulic oil.

[Jrblanke 857]

32 minutes ago, lynnmor said:

You would need to disconnect a cylinder end, then operate the valves while you stroke the cylinder by hand.  You could undo a hose if you don’t want to cycle oil thru the valve.  I suggest that you leave the hose fittings alone if they are dry.

 

I never added a filter, it would be a good idea IF you could find a place that is out of harms way.  I did flush the bottom of the tank with diesel fuel and then with some hydraulic oil.

 

I need to do some looking tonight to see where folks have mounted their filters. I wasn't planning on running a filter, but after thinking about how the loader has been sitting outside for 8 summers and 8 winters, I cant help but to think there will be some crustys in the reservior. The pump worked really well the last time I used it, so Id hate to have to replace it. Tonight I did find my supply hose completely split in half. There was still hydro fluid on the ground, so Im pretty sure it happened within the last 6 months. I'll definitely need to give it a good flush now. 

 

[953 nut 55,120]

6 hours ago, Jrblanke said:

it was stored with the hydraulic cylinders fully collapsed, so the reservoir should be full of fluid.

James, the cylinders are double acting so they will be full of fluid at all times regardless of position. While one end of the cylinder ends is being filled under pressure the fluid from the other end is being pushed back to the reservoir. Replacing the fluid in the reservoir would be a good idea and then replacing it again after running the loader for a while.

[Jrblanke 857]

3 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

James, the cylinders are double acting so they will be full of fluid at all times regardless of position. While one end of the cylinder ends is being filled under pressure the fluid from the other end is being pushed back to the reservoir. Replacing the fluid in the reservoir would be a good idea and then replacing it again after running the loader for a while.

 

Good to know! I wasn't sure how it worked! Very interesting. 

 

[lynnmor 7,302]

That split hose may be a bit concerning if water got inside and froze.  I suppose that you have the stupid drilled pipe plug for a vent that could admit water and dust.

[wallfish 16,988]

If you're going to add a filter, do it on the return side. Basically right before it enters the reservoir.

But, I do think they make filters for the pump intake side too.

After draining the reservoir, leave the drain plug out, Hold the valve open for each circuit and move the boom arms and the bucket to cycle the cylinders and push out the fluid. Easier with a helper but a bungie cord or something can hold the valve open while you move the cylinders.  Connect the return back up, Fill the reservoir with new oil and run it to cycle all the air out. Make sure you keep filling the reservoir as you go because you do not want any cavitation at the pump intake. Repeat until you're comfortable or if necessary.

They sell 5 gallon buckets of hydraulic fluid at tractor supply. $50-$60. If you run 5 gallons of clean fluid through it you should be good. Take the old oil bucket back to them for recycling it. Probably won't need to go through 5 gallons but it's there if so. 

 

[Pullstart 62,812]

You’ll love having that James, I’m sure of it!  Here’s how I did my return filter!

 

  

[roadapples 6,983]

And this is the way I did mine. And the kit I used from Northern Tool.

[953 nut 55,120]

10 hours ago, wallfish said:

They sell 5 gallon buckets of hydraulic fluid at tractor supply. $50-$60. If you run 5 gallons of clean fluid through it you should be good. Take the old oil bucket back to them for recycling it. Probably won't need to go through 5 gallons but it's there if so.

           I use it in the Sundstrand and Eaton hydros as well as the loader. Works well and the price is hard to beat.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/traveller-premium-tractor-hydraulic-fluid-5-gal-t806391-1635839?store=124&cid=Shopping-Google-LOB-Local_Feed&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Shopping&utm_campaign=LOB&utm_content=Local_Feed&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxIOXBhCrARIsAL1QFCYcrQvy0GxfatdH12xb1kjwQ02QUfl9wZUv_peZBaqH_SM2E7JrLVIaAiZ4EALw_wcB

[Jrblanke 857]

Thanks for all the pics and advice guys! Great ideas. 

 

@wallfish how much diesel do you mix in? 

[Pullstart 62,812]

@roadapples that’s a sweet heat sink!  Was that part of the kit?

[squonk 41,040]

Since one hose split I would replace all hoses unless you want an oil bath or want to give something else one!

[roadapples 6,983]

4 hours ago, Pullstart said:

@roadapples that’s a sweet heat sink!  Was that part of the kit?

No, I bought it at a car show years ago...

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

@Pullstart thanks for pointing out that the heatsink is a seperate thing. I thought it was just a funky looking filter.

I giggle searched for heatsink oilfilter aaaand... bingo!

Think I can use one on my Murray to IH 1568 project 

 

 

Edited July 27, 2022 by sjoemie himself
Added info

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

@Jrblanke Instead of fooling with all the hoses and do hickeys , how about a trade , you load up the loader haul to my house and I trade you various pies of equal value .  Equal value does not mean the number of pies you can consume during one day at the BS. @squonk warned me about your ability to make pies disappear.

[953 nut 55,120]

9 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

Equal value does not mean the number of pies you can consume during one day at the BS. @squonk warned me about your ability to make pies disappear.

          In James' defense he was a real gentleman and shared some of the rhubarb pie with me and Howard.     

Now that we have managed to derail this thread let's get it back on the tracks.           

[Jrblanke 857]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

          In James' defense he was a real gentleman and shared some of the rhubarb pie with me and Howard.     

Now that we have managed to derail this thread let's get it back on the tracks.           

 

 

Haha, Thanks Richard! And Jim. Managing 200-300 pies would be a logistical nightmare. 

 

So here is the update. I am going to get the supply side replaced this weekend, then I may start the fluid flush. 

[squonk 41,040]

11 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

@Jrblanke Instead of fooling with all the hoses and do hickeys , how about a trade , you load up the loader haul to my house and I trade you various pies of equal value .  Equal value does not mean the number of pies you can consume during one day at the BS. @squonk warned me about your ability to make pies disappear.

If I had known I could have gotten a free loader out of the deal I would have brought 2 rhubarb pies and some Cool Whip!