Engine hoist ram

[plewlandsbob]

Has anyone used one of the engine hoist rams, off of the bay?

I have an old Clarke hoist, rated at 1 ton, but the ram / pump has given up the ghost. I suspect there is a crack in it, due to severely overloading it.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I can't help, but I'd be interested to know too - I have a Clarke CFC100.
The ram is perfect but the pump seals are knackered and it spits oil out - I believe the seal kits are NLA so a cheap ram may be the easiest way to fix it.

Annoying as it hasn't had much use either.

 

[Barking Mat]

The hydraulic ram may do eight ton, but what will bend on something designed to do 1.5 tons or 3 ???

 

[Barking Mat]

I'd be interested in a link having just said that, mines a bit rusty on the extended end.

 

[MetalMonkey]

The hydraulic ram may do eight ton, but what will bend on something designed to do 1.5 tons or 3 ???

I'd assume that an 8 ton ram would be about right for a 1 or 2 ton hoist.
I've not measured it or done the math, but logic says the because of the amount of leverage from having that 1 ton hanging off the end of the jib, means you are going to need several times that on the ram.

That said they are chinese tons, which equate to about 250kg each if you are lucky.

 

[BarrieJ]

I can't help, but I'd be interested to know too - I have a Clarke CFC100.
The ram is perfect but the pump seals are knackered and it spits oil out - I believe the seal kits are NLA so a cheap ram may be the easiest way to fix it.

Annoying as it hasn't had much use either.

I wouldn't despair at what you believe to be NLA seal kits. a few years ago I bought an old Swedish made engine crane, a G Power-Lift from a scrapper for very few notes, based on a failed seal/seals. i contacted the Swedish company who confessed that they stopped manufacturing engine hoists sometime in the 1980's, so couldn't help me with a service kit.
I dismantled the ram, measured the components, the main seal and the various 'O' rings and purchased them on-line. The main seal, which, basically was the only failed item cost £2.60 off Amazon (of all places). Crane/hoist now works perfectly. I've lifted a Harrison L5 with it and pulled an 8ft 100mmx100mm steel post set in concrete out of the ground.
Purchasing the 'O' rings proved expensive, only becomes on-line trade suppliers have minimum purchasing requirements. In the end I discovered that I didn't really need many of them.
The first picture is the replacement seal and the exploded diagram, the operating elements of the ram.
Give it a go, what's to lose?

 

[Barking Mat]

Why are hydraulic ram seals generally blue ?

Is it the material ?

 

[Tom O]

Why are hydraulic ram seals generally blue ?

Is it the material ?

I would think it is to identify them from ordinary seals. ( mind you that’s my guess. )

 

[Smallfry]

I wouldn't despair at what you believe to be NLA seal kits. a few years ago I bought an old Swedish made engine crane, a G Power-Lift from a scrapper for very few notes, based on a failed seal/seals. i contacted the Swedish company who confessed that they stopped manufacturing engine hoists sometime in the 1980's, so couldn't help me with a service kit.
I dismantled the ram, measured the components, the main seal and the various 'O' rings and purchased them on-line. The main seal, which, basically was the only failed item cost £2.60 off Amazon (of all places). Crane/hoist now works perfectly. I've lifted a Harrison L5 with it and pulled an 8ft 100mmx100mm steel post set in concrete out of the ground.
Purchasing the 'O' rings proved expensive, only becomes on-line trade suppliers have minimum purchasing requirements. In the end I discovered that I didn't really need many of them.
The first picture is the replacement seal and the exploded diagram, the operating elements of the ram.
Give it a go, what's to lose?

View attachment 401548View attachment 401549

I have got one of these G power cranes, that I bought in 1988. Still going strong.

What Barrie says is correct. Any hydraulic ram specialist should be able to help with seals.

I vaguely remember being told something about seal colours being to do with temperature

 

[500e]

Just re built a 10 ton ram and pump, gave a handful of seals to local Hyd shop he gave me a new set and relieved me of a few £

 

[plewlandsbob]

I'd be interested in a link having just said that, mines a bit rusty on the extended end.

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[not done it yet]

I can't help, but I'd be interested to know too - I have a Clarke CFC100.
The ram is perfect but the pump seals are knackered and it spits oil out - I believe the seal kits are NLA so a cheap ram may be the easiest way to fix it.

Annoying as it hasn't had much use either.

Clarke likely don’t stock them and won’t source them, so you are just abandoned by the OEM. That does not mean the seals are no longer available - just that clarke are not interested in helping past customers with older kit. They would, no doubt, sell you a new engine hoist!

I doubt that Clarke made that ram in the first place.

I’ve taken loads of old rams, for reconditioning, to repair specialists. They can repair most of them.

 

[Seadog]

They certainly don't have seals for a Strongarm made in the 80s. I tried. In the end completely re-engineered the pump piston. It works a treat now.

What came out.

What I cobbled together.

 

[not done it yet]

They certainly don't have seals for a Strongarm made in the 80s. I tried. In the end completely re-engineered the pump piston. It works a treat now.

Who were ‘they’? If Clarke, I completely expect that. If a decent hydraulic repair business, I am surprised.

 

[EddyP]

I bought one of those ebay rams for my engine hoist, seems to do the job ok although haven't used a huge number of times as I put a chain block in the mezanine floor steel work instead.

 

[Seadog]

Who were ‘they’? If Clarke, I completely expect that. If a decent hydraulic repair business, I am surprised.

Yes, Clarke.

 

[bourbon]

You all know who I work for, So I made a phone call to our tech department. They seem to think that a complete ram can be got as a spare part. But I would have had to phone another number and I was very busy today. so I couldn't get a price for one. I will make further investigations on Monday.

 

[plewlandsbob]

I did email, Machine Mart, about a replacement ram. They emailed back this morning, to say that the manufacturer, no longer makes parts for this, so no spares are available.

 

[not done it yet]

I did email, Machine Mart, about a replacement ram. They emailed back this morning, to say that the manufacturer, no longer makes parts for this, so no spares are available.

I doubt they would have even made the seal, when new. That does not necessarily mean they are no longer available. Read the message very carefully. What you think they meant may not be applicable to your problem.

Let’s face it Clarke likely don’t actually make much of what they sell - they buy in and sell out.

 

[bourbon]

Let’s face it Clarke likely don’t actually make much of what they sell - they buy in and sell out.

I can't possibly comment, (but you are right)