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Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
I think the LED flood light conversions are awesome! Everytime I tipped my light over, got it wet and or bumped it the halogen bulb would blow. The LED's are much more resilient.

Agreed the universal 'gorilla' style ladders are heavy buggers. I found a weird / unique way to move mine when in the step ladder configuration (high position), I stand in between the A frame and tip it so one side of each leg is on my shoulders. Seems to work decent. I don't think I could or would want to yield a 17 footer. You are gettingigetting man lift territory and I'm starting to become a sissy at those ladder heights!
 

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
We talked about it on another thread and I decided it was time to buy a new tool! Just received my rod seal install tools today. These are meant to contort the seal into the correct shape to safely install them in the gland. I'm excited to give them a try. I think I will get that opportunity on my Hyster forklift cylinders.
 

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kshansen

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2012
Messages
11,129
Location
Central New York, USA
Occupation
Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Never knew about those until I was almost to retire but did see a guy show how they worked and I know I would have bought a set if I was planning on doing that work in the future! Almost a stupid simple design!
 

JD955SC

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2011
Messages
1,349
Location
The South
Those things are awesome. I never had trouble with larger cylinders but the little cylinders that are so aggravating they make it much easier to get that seal in. A set is about $70 on Amazon.
 

mitch504

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
5,776
Location
Andrews SC
I have this set. It is plastic, but so are most of my screwdriver handles. It has been tough. It has four sizes, but the one for the biggest cylinders, I can get my hands in a 6" bore, but it's easier. That little plastic block was real handy, once I figured out how to use it.

https://www.amazon.com/Kit-King-Install-Hydraulic-Installation/dp/B01HUZ7KHI

BTW, Amazon has your set for $30.99.
 

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
I stand corrected... When I was researching I could only find kits made out of plastic rods. I haven't gotten an opportunity to use them yet, but will update after I give them a shot. I do not have the little block. Is the block just for loading the seal onto the tool?
 

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
I am sure this is rather trivial to most equipment operators / mechanics on HEF. This week's video depicts how to test ethylene glycol antifreeze for freeze protection rating. I am also giving away a tester identical to the one used in this video. If you'd like to enter to win the free tester, type "Prestone", in the comments section of the video shown below.

If nothing more this is just a friendly reminder for everyone to check their antifreeze before cold weather sets in. I like this new antifreeze tester and hope it will continue to provide years of service. Its predesessor was much smaller, difficult to find and broke rather easily in my toolbox.

Happy Veterans day to all those my who have served, thank you for your service. Cheers,

 

56wrench

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
2,074
Location
alberta
i prefer the refractometer style. much more accurate. one shop i worked at would not allow any other type due to inconsistencies between testers and mechanics in the shop. the tool crib had a refractometer that was supposed to be used. after the foreman saw a guy using a cheapie tester one day, he stopped all shop work and had all the guys get their own testers, line up and lay them on the floor. then he proceeded to stomp on any that were not refractometers. end of problem. years later i still chuckle about it
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
after the foreman saw a guy using a cheapie tester one day, he stopped all shop work and had all the guys get their own testers, line up and lay them on the floor. then he proceeded to stomp on any that were not refractometers. end of problem.

I suppose the foreman paid all those guys with something else to go get the refractometers. Oh right!

When I was doing the appraisals for the local Cat dealer we had a machine that had something different for antifreeze and my six dollar Napa tester wouldn't read it. It was 15 years old. So I made them buy me a refractometer. I hated that thing. I don't have much time to inspect a machine as the potential buyers didn't like their machines shut down. At any rate I got a new seven dollar Napa tester and so far haven't found any antifreeze types that it won't test. That $125 refractometer sat under the seat in the pickup until I had to check battery cells after that.
 

Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
The refractometers are much more accurate. I am only interested in close approximations on my equipment. In the past I have gaged the quality strictly off of visual inspection. If I ever question the quality, if it's too discolored, I change it out for 50/50 mix ( maybe a little less water). It would be my luck I'd drip antifreeze in my eyeball looking through the eye piece on a refractometer.

I live in the Midwest states and typically does not get much more below -10°F. Occasional -20°F. I'm all for another winter with little snow and 20 - 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The cheapy gage gives a little more reassurance that my blocks are safe. At least one step over my vision test. Here's to a warm winter.
 

DB2

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Messages
1,008
Location
Winnipeg MB Canada

JD955SC

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2011
Messages
1,349
Location
The South
Please more detail about the little plastic block.

it just holds the tool while you get the seal in position on the tool. Pushing the seal into its installation shape it wants to go anywhere but where you want it so it helps to have the third hand
 
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Flat Thunder Channel

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
378
Location
Ohio
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