Carlton Stump Grinder Ram Problems?

[Torquin]

Anyone have a 4400-4, 5700-4, or 7015 and have any problems with the lift/lowering cylinder? My 5700-4, which I think is the precursor to the 7015, sounds like I need to lube something when raising or lowering the cylinder. It's worst when lowering. Looking at the ram, it seems to be cocked a little in the cylinder. I haven't taken anything apart yet, but I am afraid I am going to need to get the cylinder rebuilt.
I was thinking of trying to rotate the cylinder 180 degrees to see if it would pull the ram back straight in the bore when it is extended.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[ArborquipSP]

Sounds like your cyl. rod may be bent. Do you lift the machine up allot by putting the head on the ground? You may want to just buy a new cyl. or rod from the factory.

Scott

 

[Torquin]

Sounds like your cyl. rod may be bent. Do you lift the machine up allot by putting the head on the ground? You may want to just buy a new cyl. or rod from the factory.

Scott

Yes, I lift the grinder with the head when I have to remove the outer wheels to get through a gate, and when I put them back on.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[treeoperations]

youve awnsered your own question, arborquip is right what hes said.

theres no point fitting a heavier ram as it isnt needed to do what it does, if you fit a heavier ram and continue to do what your doing you will most likely do damage to some other part of the machine.

 

[ArborquipSP]

Yes, I lift the grinder with the head when I have to remove the outer wheels to get through a gate, and when I put them back on.

Thanks,
Chris

Do you lift the whole front half of the machine or swing the head to each side to remove one tire at a time? also how high do you lift it? I think the cyl. ram has to work harder the higher it lifts the machine off the ground. It is common to lift the machine to remove tires but just enough to get it off the ground on one side. I have seen the Cyl. rod bend on one machine the customer would lift the machine all the way till the cyl. was fully extended and the leverage angles bent the ram in a small arc just enough to make noise (rod rubbing on Cyl. head bore) and eventually took out the seals.

Scott

 

[Torquin]

I only lift it as far as necessary to get the wheels off the ground. I put blocks under the cutter head, which make it have to lift less distance, but also to keep the cutter wheel from just sinking into the ground. I then lift until both wheels are about an inch off the ground.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Oly's Stump]

I put a short piece of 2X4 under the inner wheel and run the machine onto it to lift up the outter wheel.

 

[Torquin]

I put a short piece of 2X4 under the inner wheel and run the machine onto it to lift up the outter wheel.

Yeah, I have been thinking of that since I started this thread. Thanks.

I am going to try and flip the piston 180 degrees to see what affect that has. I may end up having to get the ram rebuilt, I suppose.

Thanks,
Chris