McConnell Hy Reach motor problem

[GavinJ]

I have a McConnel Hy reach hedge cutter with a hydraulic motor problem. It runs fine in one direction but if I reverse the hydraulic pipes on the motor to swap the rotation the motor won't turn at all. Does anyone have any ideas?

Also what are the views on left or right handed cutting. This machine is set for right hand but can be set up for either.

 

[Kevtherev]

If you are changing it to left hand cut you can mount the motor on the other end of head.
It should run either way?

 

[GavinJ]

Thanks Kev. I thought that was possible. I have just fitted new bearings and new drive coupling and it dawned on me that a way of swapping rotation would be to mount the motor on the other end but wasn't sure if pipework would fit. I do find the right hand cut comfortable to work with so am not sure about swapping to left hand. I would like to swap the motor so that it is on top of the head when cutting the sides of the hedge not dragging the ground.
I have been told that there is a valve in the pump that moves when oil flow is reversed which stick but don't know how easy it is to get at.

 

[Henarar]

leave the motor where it is and a valve in the pump would make no difference

 

[GavinJ]

So why can I not change direction of rotation?

 

[Henarar]

motor runs one way

 

[GavinJ]

Not according to the manual. Direction of rotation can be changed for hedge or grass cutting. They are set to cut upwards if I remember correctly but mine cuts downwards.

 

[Richard Devon]

I was always under the impression that it was simply a case of just swapping the pipes on the motor over but don't have the manual here to tell me otherwise.

By chance does anyone know if there are check valves to stop the boom creeping down? (sorry for diverting your thread)

 

[GavinJ]

Yes that is all that you should do (although the manual say to change on the valve as I think the pipes sit better that way). However when I did that the motor didn't run. Swap it back and all ok again. That is when I was told that there is a valve in the pump which often sticks as it only moves when direction of oil flow changes. I have never stripped a motor so am wary about investigating too much and getting a big repair bill !

Incidentally the coupling cost £207 from a dealer but was found online for £15.

 

[Henarar]

Where is this valve in the pump or the motor ?
I changed my Hy-reach from right to left but I didn't alter the pump mounting or swap the pipes

 

[GavinJ]

Sorry my mistake in the earlier post - I am told it is in the motor but don't know for certain. I was hoping someone here would know :-(
I don't think swapping from right to left involves swapping mounting or pipes. Swapping the motor from end to end would swap the rotation so that would solve the issue but would rather keep it standard. What benefits are there in swapping to left hand cut? To me right hand seems more comfortable.

 

[Henarar]

If you do roadside cutting it should be on the left but if its only small roads I wouldn't worry to much

 

[Mr Happy]

If you can get me either a part number for the motor or a picture I should be able to confirm were the checks valves are.

 

[deere66]

Have changed mine a time or two, just swap the pipes at the valve block and swap the hood on the head. Motor runs fine both ways.

I think there is a check valve to stop the main lift ram dropping but make sure the work/transport tap is tightly closed when working or that will cause it to drop.

 

[deere66]

If you can get me either a part number for the motor or a picture I should be able to confirm were the checks valves are.

Part book doesn't show exploded view of motor but McConnel part no is 73 14 425

 

[Mr Happy]

The motor in the parts book looks like a very old Casappa unit probably a CML33RDI. Which has been replaced by a cast iron Parker motor. Both units have inbuilt check valves to allow them to operate in both rotations.

 

[Kevtherev]

I have a mcconnel hy reach motor here I'll check tommorrow

 

[GavinJ]

I need to check but I think the make is something like Edesse. It is an aluminium body. The motor in the manual on the McConnell site is not what is fitted.

 

[Cooper3075]

My old turner the head spins round I think for grass pull out a pin spin the head round

 

[GavinJ]

The motor is a Casappa aluminium unit. I need to drop the cover off to get a picture and check for a model number. I see on the Casappa website it refers to inbuilt reversing valves so I assume that is what I have been told sticks but I have yet to find how to access the valve and am not sure if it is simply a case of dropping the end cover or does that open a whole new set of problems.