Testing bobcat attachments

Certainly doable. I've collected a pile of surplus hoses and couplings over the years. That's my first stop. Second, I head to the local Farm and Fleet store. Or, you can go to the local dealer and leave with a real warm feeling and an empty wallet.

In your case, I doubt the lift as quick disconnect. If you're doing this often,add them. Otherwise just plumb in a couple long hoses. IIRC, the Bobcat connects are like $12 each, not that bad.

Karl

I'm not a hyd eng (but I play on on the internet), but I'd suggest flushing those attachments prior to accepting return fluid into your forklift hydraulic system from them, just in case they're full of slivers from an exploded pump. You don't know where they've been, so practice safe pumping.

I wanna see pics of this Steampunk Forklift when you're done! (Recommend keeping an excavator and auger for yourself.)

Go to your local NAPA store. They were the cheapest, best place around for power steering pump hosemaking I found while working as a mechanic. Figure maybe $200, plus the valving from Surplus Center.

-- Energy and persistence alter all things. --Benjamin Franklin

I second the recommendation of being careful of return fluid. Pump the first gallon or so into a clean white bucket for examination before hooking up the return line (this will require an extra quick connect to open the return line's check valve). Place a good hydraulic return line filter on the return line in the forklift. Don't forget to add make up oil to the forklift's tank to replace what is lost on each test. You will not have the flow volume to test anything at normal operating speeds, but you will probably be ok on pressure. It might be easier if you just scrounged a stationary electric (AC) hydraulic power pack so you don't tie up the forklift while testing.

"Practice safe pumping". Would that be fluid filter, or condumb?

Nothing like trusting your life to a thin piece of rubber.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

I'm not a hyd eng (but I play on on the internet), but I'd suggest flushing those attachments prior to accepting return fluid into your forklift hydraulic system from them, just in case they're full of slivers from an exploded pump. You don't know where they've been, so practice safe pumping.

"Condom" a.k.a. a clean 5 gal bucket to dump the first gallon of suspect fluid into.

I second the stationary pump idea...

--one where pressure can be adjusted would probably be best.

Unlike custom hoses I'ved found the prices for hydraulic fittings in local stores reasonable.

Tractor Supply carries quick disconnects.

Might be easier and simpler to just rent one for half a day. --Glenn Lyford

OR you just wait a week and one will turn up at a reasonable price!

Paul

Real men use 5 gal buckets!

Christ>

"Condom" a.k.a. a clean 5 gal bucket to dump the first gallon of suspect fluid into.

In Ig's case probably one "Bobcat, doesn't run, $125, U-haul" and it'll be within ten minutes of him. Lucky suckah.

-- Energy and persistence alter all things. --Benjamin Franklin

It is rare, but it happens.