Raising Skidsteer Lift Arm Without Power

[mikeysp]

I have a New Holland L180 that broke down and need the Lift Arm raised. I do not have another piece of heavy equipment to lift the arm, so after searching for this problem without success, I came up with he idea to convert a small 12V Hydraulic pump into a Lift Arm raising tool. If there is an easier solution, I welcome it. My idea is to convert the small hydraulic outflow line connection to the larger size of one of the Lift arm cylinders and connect it to the lift side of the cylinder. Then, to loosen the other side of the cylinder and both connections on the other lift arm. I will raise it while seatind in the machine and once lifted to max elevation, extend the safety lock pins. How does the rest of the world deal with this problem. I am sure I am not the first to face this predicament and want to go the easiest route and avoid inventing wheels. Budget matters, this is why I am fixing the machine myself.

 

[JDWY]

I've wondered about the best route to take if I run into that nightmare also. I figured I'd have to undo the cylinder hyd lines, round up a few empty buckets, hire a small boom truck to come out to raise the arms while I set the boom safety locks. A major pain in the rear. After we bought ours, I smartened up fairly quick and whenever I'm not going to use it for any length of time I park it in the hay/equipment shed with the arms up and lock pins engaged, especially in winter.

 

[Mike10]

I use a 12 v hyd pump. If your boom cylinders are made with a rectangular block welded to the bottom of the cylinder barrel, then there will be a plug on the outside of the barrel at the bottom you can hook to that port. Connected like that and you do not need to loosen the hose on the other side. You will need to remove the top hoses so the oil can escape. I have a hose I connect to one cylinder and also to the steel line and connected to a third hose so I can direct the out flow oil to a bucket.

 

[[email protected]]

Same problem here on my old skid.

Fuel lines are leaking and so it won't start. Arms are down, so I can't open to the engine cover.

So, I'm going to try to drive the pins out of the top of the lifting arms on my NH L555, and then lift the arms with my tractor. Barring that, I wonder if you could use the accessory ports on the front to drive fluid through the system. I have a working air/hydro pump that I swapped out for a reservoir pump on my lift after replacing the cylinder - maybe that'd work?

 

[Rayhat]

I used a hydraulic floor Jack , a bottle and a car Jack. Raised a little at a time and blocked it with wood. A little sketchy when it got head high and higher. But it worked. Some 6-8 ft 4X4's as it maxed out. Didn't disconnect any hoses, figured the bypass would take care of any pressure build up. Kind of Rube Goldberg just stay out of harms way. No signs of damage a year later so I guess it worked.

 

[[email protected]]

No matter what the situation is. This all depends on where the machine is and what is under it. Lets say the machine sits on a hard surface like concrete You can do that using a jack sure thing as someone mentioned. Or if inside a building a 2 ton chain fall will do this but keep in mind the control should be in the up position and may help some. It is also possible to lift this with a three shive Pulley set up with rope good rope you can see that done on line and that again depends on what is overhead. I have used the cargo tie down straps rated for a good amount of weight. 3"-6" width and once again that's if you have an over head hook up and strong enough to hold the weights. Be creative but be safe. Good Luck! I know this is an old post question but for some reason it was in my inbox. Take care.

 

[John T]

I use a 12 v hyd pump. If your boom cylinders are made with a rectangular block welded to the bottom of the cylinder barrel, then there will be a plug on the outside of the barrel at the bottom you can hook to that port. Connected like that and you do not need to loosen the hose on the other side. You will need to remove the top hoses so the oil can escape. I have a hose I connect to one cylinder and also to the steel line and connected to a third hose so I can direct the out flow oil to a bucket.

Brilliant

 

[John T]

I have a New Holland L180 that broke down and need the Lift Arm raised. I do not have another piece of heavy equipment to lift the arm, so after searching for this problem without success, I came up with he idea to convert a small 12V Hydraulic pump into a Lift Arm raising tool. If there is an easier solution, I welcome it. My idea is to convert the small hydraulic outflow line connection to the larger size of one of the Lift arm cylinders and connect it to the lift side of the cylinder. Then, to loosen the other side of the cylinder and both connections on the other lift arm. I will raise it while seatind in the machine and once lifted to max elevation, extend the safety lock pins. How does the rest of the world deal with this problem. I am sure I am not the first to face this predicament and want to go the easiest route and avoid inventing wheels. Budget matters, this is why I am fixing the machine myself.

Curious how you made out with this method...

I'm in the same boat...

 

[Shanmar]

Never done this but think it should work. Your oil supply for the 12v pump will need to be large enough to fill the cylinder cavity. Watch for twisting/binding of the boom as you're only lifting with one side/cylinder. (Not sure if that will be a problem) If that happens, can tee into the line going into the cylinder and that will use both cylinders to lift.
Could probably use a tractor's remote hydraulics in a similar way.
Lifting the boom with another loader or something would be easiest.

 

[John T]

Never done this but think it should work. Your oil supply for the 12v pump will need to be large enough to fill the cylinder cavity. Watch for twisting/binding of the boom as you're only lifting with one side/cylinder. (Not sure if that will be a problem) If that happens, can tee into the line going into the cylinder and that will use both cylinders to lift.
Could probably use a tractor's remote hydraulics in a similar way.
Lifting the boom with another loader or something would be easiest.

Lifting the Boom with another Loader,
Is it possible to use another loader and NOT relieve any pressure? Won't the excess fluid drain back to the tank?

Just trying to avoid a big mess.

 

[Shanmar]

Done it many times. It takes 2 people and obviously another loader. One sits in broken loader, hooks up seat belt, turns key to run, etc. (to get safety locks to release) and rocks the foot pedal back like lifting the boom and hold it there. This will allow the oil to be "relieved". The other loader lifts the boom. With the large frames (LX865, LX885, LS180, L185, etc.) it worked better to wedge blocks under the rear of the loader to keep it from rocking back while the boom is being lifted. There must be enough flow resistance to lift up the front of the loader (the light end) for this to happen. Did not have this problem with the mid frames (LX565, LX665, LS170, etc.).

 

[John T]

Thanks

 

[ByggareBobby]

Done it many times. It takes 2 people and obviously another loader. One sits in broken loader, hooks up seat belt, turns key to run, etc. (to get safety locks to release) and rocks the foot pedal back like lifting the boom and hold it there. This will allow the oil to be "relieved". The other loader lifts the boom. With the large frames (LX865, LX885, LS180, L185, etc.) it worked better to wedge blocks under the rear of the loader to keep it from rocking back while the boom is being lifted. There must be enough flow resistance to lift up the front of the loader (the light end) for this to happen. Did not have this problem with the mid frames (LX565, LX665, LS170, etc.).

Can't you just pull the hydraulic hoses off each cylinder and lift the arm with rope and tackle while the cylinder in-out-ports are open?

 

[ByggareBobby]

Can't you just pull the hydraulic hoses off each cylinder and lift the arm with rope and tackle while the cylinder in-out-ports are open?

 

[John T]

Can't you just pull the hydraulic hoses off each cylinder and lift the arm with rope and tackle while the cylinder in-out-ports are open?

I thought I mentioned not making a mess.......

 

[ByggareBobby]

I thought I mentioned not making a mess.......

Haha yes you're right. There will for sure be a few puddles of oil to clean up if you open both sides of the cylinders. Better to open the "suction side" while lifting the arms up and then just connecting hoses back again when the arm is raised. If I'm correct the system will purge all air out once the hydraulic pump is started?

 

[brdgbldr]

How about just removing one hydraulic ram pin from each side. I've done this before to raise arms on a non running machine. Of course it all depends on the machine and how much room there is to remove the pins. Most machines the rear pins are accessible.

Then the arms can be slowly jacked up from the front using blocks to hold them up.

Slow but no mess.

 

[John T]

How about just removing one hydraulic ram pin from each side. I've done this before to raise arms on a non running machine. Of course it all depends on the machine and how much room there is to remove the pins. Most machines the rear pins are accessible.

Then the arms can be slowly jacked up from the front using blocks to hold them up.

Slow but no mess.

I like the way you think.

 

[John T]

How about just removing one hydraulic ram pin from each side. I've done this before to raise arms on a non running machine. Of course it all depends on the machine and how much room there is to remove the pins. Most machines the rear pins are accessible.

Then the arms can be slowly jacked up from the front using blocks to hold them up.

Slow but no mess.

I like the way you think...

 

[Peoples16127]

How about just removing one hydraulic ram pin from each side. I've done this before to raise arms on a non running machine. Of course it all depends on the machine and how much room there is to remove the pins. Most machines the rear pins are accessible.

Then the arms can be slowly jacked up from the front using blocks to hold them up.

Slow but no mess.

That is a good idea and actually, removing one pin should suffice.