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I don't know why all of these motors aren't made with a bypass passage in the casting, stopped with large set screws. When fully seated in the bores, the passage would be blocked and the motor would operate normally. When the set screw is backed out, the passages would connect, and the fluid would bypass the motor. No mess, no loss of fluid, and the machine could be moved slowly whether the motors or the pump was trashed. I guess these things are designed by people who don't have to worry about fixing them.
That would be a smart thing to do..... I guess they figure it's quite rare to need to do it, why bother?
I'd suspect the percantage of machines that get towed some time in their life is quite low.
I wind up moving my little machine several times a year not under its own power. The only reason it's not a problem for me is that I have a machine big enough to pick the little one up, move it and load it on a trailer, if need be. I would think people move these machines all the time, or would if they could. I guess everybody else just fixes these things where they stop running. I have reached a point where I place a premium on working on things where I'm warm, or at least not miserably cold, and dry.
It's a shame you have so many issues, i have never been stuck out in the field.
I'm with you on your point about working on your machine where its dry and warm. Nothing worse than working on something in the field, so many trips for tools.
The little machine is driven by automotive-style V belts from the motor to the pumps. When one of those lets go, you're dead in the water. The way the engine is located, it has to be removed to get clearance to install a new belt. Removing the engine is only 4 little bolts, and getting it out takes just a minute to two. But there's something about the location of the bolts, upside down and through angle iron, that makes it almost impossible for me to get them started. I have spent hours trying to get all 4 in the engine. It's embarrassing to be stymied by something so simple, but I am. The last time I had it in the shop for welding, I had them replace the mount. The bolts go through the top now, and it takes a minute to get them out and back in. Of course, since then, the engine hasn't needed to come out.
SkidRoe
Well-known member
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- Dec 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,887
Isn't that always the way it works?? Just when you make it convenient....
Last time I had my motor out, I had the pumps and reservoir, too. Of course, something shifted and I had of heck of a time getting all the engine bolts back in. Glad it's not just me.
I like my working environment warm and dry as well. And it is also nice to have the patient at waist height, on the hoist.
Cheers - SR
I can see belts being a possible failure point, the newer machines use belts to transmit all the power from the engine to the pump, but they are a set of 3 V belts, so i guess they can transfer the power better.
My little machine is state of the art -- for 1973!
I'm not going to knock a machine made back then, i owned a 731 that was built in 1978, it was a great machine. It may be old, doesn't mean it's not useful.
SkidRoe
Well-known member
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- Dec 10, 2009
- Messages
- 1,887
My machine uses a single B-width vee belt for the main drive. They seem to last for years. Current one has been there since I did the repower almost 6 years ago, still looks fine.
12CHydraMac
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2018
- Messages
- 37
It's all Gear Driven you can't move it... unless one said remove all the hoses etc anyhow i run a hydra mac group on facebook if you have it you can join www.facebook.com/groups/hydramac
Nosprk4me1x
Member
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- Jun 7, 2023
- Messages
- 5
All ya gotta do to move it is have a guy jump in the seat and push both levers the direction you want to go, then you can push or pull it without damaging anything or removing belts, pumps, etc..
