Hydraulic cylinder repair by Matt at Diesel Creek

Matt showed how to repair the hydraulic cyclinders of D4 Komatsu bulldozer. He had deferred such repair for 5 years, although it cost him much in terms of lost hydraulic fluid that leaked.

As usual, it is demonstrated that disassembly was mostly hard and challenging.  He improvised:

     1.  How to remove the cylinder cover by welding a flatbar which he hammered;

     2.  Pulling out the internal rod by using a back hoe.

The seals and glands were bought from the store and Matt reinstalled them well.  

Summary of options for various repairs

 From what I have read so far on repairs, these are some of my thoughts:

1.  Vehicles and equipment that should be prioritized or given attention in repairs:

    1.  Those that were not used for a long time and probably used as nest and residence of mice.  Their nests and feces fouls up the intake and exhaust manifold, and feces cause corrosion.  Mice likes to chew plastic cover of electrical wires

    2.  Exposed to elements:    rain snow, sunlight, or overgrown with weeds

    3.  Those that are used constantly and heavy conditions

2.   Steps in repair and revival of vehicle or heavy equipment:

    1.  Removal of growth vegetation on the equipment

    2.  Clean the debris:  stones, grasses, rust dust on the equipment

    3.  Check fuel, oil and filters;   replace.   Check fuel lines:   for loose and leaking copper, plastic or rubber tubings.  Check for blockages, kinks and or stuck parts especially for injectors and fuel feed lines.  

   4.  Check and rewire electricals:    battery terminals, batteries, starters, 

   5.  If the motor is not stuck, try restarting.   Spray ether on intake manifold

3.   Process action on various items:

     Item                    Keypoints           Action         Other Options                     Preventive Measures

     Electricals

     1.  Spark plug    spark no spark  use other sp     use aprk indicator                 check use multimeter

                                                         no spark          replace spark plug, cable

                                                         no spark          replace ignition coil

   2.  Batteries          12.6 volt or ++ charge                                                          disconnect batteries when

                                 not charging    replace                                                         not used

                                                         check alternator

   3. Wiring           check loose connection   use new connectors                       put napthalene balls to 

                                                                      replace the harness                        drive off rats

3.  Fuel lines

    Leaks                                                     replace copper, plastic tubes            regular tpm for fuel filter

    Air in system                                         flush                                                 use trusted fuel brands

    Stale fuel                                              replace                                               add additives

    Water in fuel                                        drain the fuel tank

    Blocks kinks in lines                           replace lines

4.  Mechanical parts

     missing gear tooth                              replace;  machine shop

     loose bearings                                     replace                                                 lubricate often, clean

     loose fit                                               build up,, add washer/shim                  tpm, avoid corrosion

     broken shaft/axle                                replace, rebuild at machine shop          bullet proof repair

Matt, god of repairs; Pakistanis idol of parts machining?

One cant help but admire the works of Matt in Diesel Creek in salvaging junk equipment, resurrecting them from non functional state to one that roars and works.

As this post watched his work on Fiat Allis payloader (used as forklift)

1.  Removal of weeds with brush cutter and chain saw;

2.  Restoring electrical power, fixing batteries

3.  Fixing the fuel system;   making sure that fuel reaches the injectors

4.  Restarting the unit;  bypassing the starter, shorting the circuit and making the unit start after 12 years.

It looked impossible that Matt was able to do this in less than a day.  Perhaps, it was because the unit was under a warehouse so 

He and Pakistanis are as remarkable.  Pakistanis craftsman are known for their quick and easy repair of parts like shafts, gears and the like.  In record time.   Westerners typically will opt for a new off the shelf part, wire harness or assembly.

Had these videos been availabe before, I would have devoted more time for endeavors as this.   However that is contrary to bigger business and life purpose