Merlo 32.6 ram seals.

[B'o'B]

The main lift ram on our Merlo 32.6 is weeping quite a bit of oil and will need the seals changing before harvest. How hard a job would it be for a moderately competent with a set of spanners, but untrained farmer? Or would it be worth getting someone in to do it?

Many thanks, B'o'B

 

[Spotty Dog]

Worst bit is holding the ram and trying to unscrew the end cap without damaging it. Once the end cap is off the rest is fairly straight forward. Take photos of how the seals are fitted before you take them off.

 

[ACEngineering]

Worst bit is holding the ram and trying to unscrew the end cap without damaging it. Once the end cap is off the rest is fairly straight forward. Take photos of how the seals are fitted before you take them off.

Merlo end caps are stupid! idiot idea to include the pressure feed in to the end cap, sometimes you cant fully tighten the caps cause the pipe ends up in the wrong place

 

[B'o'B]

Merlo end caps are stupid! idiot idea to include the pressure feed in to the end cap, sometimes you cant fully tighten the caps cause the pipe ends up in the wrong place

@ACEngineering you'll have done this a few times, what do you think for a first timer. Easy job? Tricky job?
Any hints or tips gratefully received.

 

[Farma Parma]

Main dealer did mine on my 28.7 about 3 years ago
It was in there workshop not on farm
Been fine eversince

 

[ACEngineering]

@ACEngineering you'll have done this a few times, what do you think for a first timer. Easy job? Tricky job?
Any hints or tips gratefully received.

IMO you never know till you start getting in to it. sometimes they undo easy sometimes they are a right sod.

Sometimes the threads pick up as you undo the end caps or the pistons, ive even had one piston screw its threads up on reassembly!

came apart fine, cleaned it all up nicely, screwed the piston on by hand with out seals fine, took it off fitted all the seals and within about 4 threads of going on by hand the thread picked up and it locked up, didnt try to tighten it further but had to use big stilsons and brute force to get it back off knackered the thread on the rod and the piston, had to take it in to local ram shop were they rewelded the rod and then recut the threads, piston cleaned up in the end.
Rather annoying as it was a big ram and i had paid a young lad for the day to come and help me do it but ended up having to find him another job for the day.

 

[B'o'B]

IMO you never know till you start getting in to it. sometimes they undo easy sometimes they are a right sod.

Sometimes the threads pick up as you undo the end caps or the pistons, ive even had one piston screw its threads up on reassembly!

came apart fine, cleaned it all up nicely, screwed the piston on by hand with out seals fine, took it off fitted all the seals and within about 4 threads of going on by hand the thread picked up and it locked up, didnt try to tighten it further but had to use big stilsons and brute force to get it back off knackered the thread on the rod and the piston, had to take it in to local ram shop were they rewelded the rod and then recut the threads, piston cleaned up in the end.
Rather annoying as it was a big ram and i had paid a young lad for the day to come and help me do it but ended up having to find him another job for the day.

Eeek!! that sound like much fun and games. I might see what I get quoted from dealer before I decide. I've had a couple of jobs this years that have gone the same way you've described, I really don't need another right now!

 

[Hilly]

Eeek!! that sound like much fun and games. I might see what I get quoted from dealer before I decide. I've had a couple of jobs this years that have gone the same way you've described, I really don't need another right now!

Take it off yourself but take it to a ram specialist for seals , put it back on yourself ?

 

[Hilly]

Worst bit is holding the ram and trying to unscrew the end cap without damaging it. Once the end cap is off the rest is fairly straight forward. Take photos of how the seals are fitted before you take them off.

Slacken cap while still on machine ?

 

[Zippy768]

Eeek!! that sound like much fun and games. I might see what I get quoted from dealer before I decide. I've had a couple of jobs this years that have gone the same way you've described, I really don't need another right now!

You have a local Ram company about? Parts and labour might be a lil cheaper

 

[Selectatilth]

IMO you never know till you start getting in to it. sometimes they undo easy sometimes they are a right sod.

Sometimes the threads pick up as you undo the end caps or the pistons, ive even had one piston screw its threads up on reassembly!

came apart fine, cleaned it all up nicely, screwed the piston on by hand with out seals fine, took it off fitted all the seals and within about 4 threads of going on by hand the thread picked up and it locked up, didnt try to tighten it further but had to use big stilsons and brute force to get it back off knackered the thread on the rod and the piston, had to take it in to local ram shop were they rewelded the rod and then recut the threads, piston cleaned up in the end.
Rather annoying as it was a big ram and i had paid a young lad for the day to come and help me do it but ended up having to find him another job for the day.

Hello I would agree with @ACEngineering have had some go easily with out any problems & others that have been a battle from start to finish, your local Merlo dealer should have the special Spanner to undo/ do up the cap which will help.
If you do it yourself please be careful make sure that the boom is resting on something you are happy that is solid before you Knock the pin out and be ready to support the ram as it's very heavy.

 

[Chuckie]

Don't take the whole ram off.

Support boom on some bales or similar, undo check valve at bottom of ram to release any pressure.

Undo end cap with big hammer and drift, put ratchet strap round boom and ram to keep ram body up in air, remove rod then repalce seals.

It's far easier than trying to fix intermittent electrical faults............

 

[Farma Parma]

Don't take the whole ram off.

Support boom on some bales or similar, undo check valve at bottom of ram to release any pressure.

Undo end cap with big hammer and drift, put ratchet strap round boom and ram to keep ram body up in air, remove rod then repalce seals.

It's far easier than trying to fix intermittent electrical faults............

Am sure Dealer said they hold ram/boom up with a 2nd handler.
Certainly didnt remove the whole boom.