Can you buy a new cylinder that will fit it?

At this point, you might take the “nothing to lose” approach and just disassemble it and find replacement seals with some careful measurement.

If you have an ag supply company or hydraulic specialist ship near you they can probably either rebuild it or help you out with parts (or refer you to someone who can rebuild or supply parts).

Some auto parts stores have services as well as various shops to handle stuff like this too.

Napa sent a tractor water pump to a shop in Green Bay for rebuild.
Took less than 2 weeks for round trip.

Local logging companies and equipment rental places might be able to help.

Bentworker wrote:

You can likely get a seal kit at a hydraulic shop.  If not McMaster-Carr may have you covered.   

My lift has 1/4” poly air lines running from the top of the cylinders back to the hydraulic tank to return any leak by.

Now that is planning ahead!  Must be cheaper than just installing reliable seals

Mochaman wrote:

KeithP My 4 post just started dripping from the cylinder but it is the opposite end from where the piston comings out. Same area where the hydraulic line plugs into. I don't know how to find a weep hole. Is this similar to your leak?
Probably similar cheap chinese manufacturer. 

That is where mine is leaking. There's a hole at that end to let air in and out and in my case oil too. The pump pushes hydraulic fluid against the piston side of the cylinder when raising the lift. If the seal is leaking at the end of the piston where the seal is it ends up in the vented(weep hole) air cavity at the end of the cylinder. It usually squirts it out when the cylinder is close to being bottomed out(when I'm unlocking from the highest position).

My lift is functional as it is. I have a hose and a small bottle to catch the fluid. I think I know what seals it takes I just need to pull it apart and confirm. And wait 3-4 days to get them if I order online.
 

I'd also suggest looking for a local hydraulic shop.  Around here we have Benz Hydraulics.  They have always had things I've needed over the years (weird o-rings, oddball adapter fittings, etc.).  Any problem I go to them.  Pretty sure the John Deere dealer I use also has a cylinder rebuild service, but they may just send them to Benz...

We have a big hydraulic shop just up the road that does lots of work for the logging and mining companies around here.  I talked to them last week and they said they can and will repair my leaking 4-post cyl....doing the same as yours, by-passing at the piston and pushing fluid out the breather hole at the dead end.  It's going up to them this morning as I have plenty of other messes to make without getting in to that cyl. 
 Will let ya'all know.

BB
 

Last edited by Bullet Bob (10/28/2024 5:56 AM)