60 ton KR Wilson press

[royce]

Anybody know what oil is spec'd for it?
Thanks
Royce

 

[Farmall 1066]

No idea what's spec'ed but mine is filled with IH Hytran tractor hydraulic oil.

 

[royce]

No idea what's spec'ed but mine is filled with IH Hytran tractor hydraulic oil.

Thanks Farmall,
I think this one may have aviation hydraulic oil in it and was wondering if there was a reason for it.
Royce

 

[cvairwerks]

Here is a link to the guys that still support the KRW's There wasn't any specific hydraulic oil listed in the books, but they would know for sure. BTW, if it's got 5606 in it, there would probably need to be a complete seal change before going to something else. There also appears to have been two different pump styles. Your's is like mine, probably the late version.
http://www.devinmfg.com/krwilson.html

I've got a 50 ton and a 60 for my shop.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Royce, I'm not sure of the spec'd oil either but use AW 46 in my 60t hydraulic press of similar vintage. I do appreciate the KR Wilson press and it's lines though and yours is a real beaut. Must have been made specifically for the military to have Property of U.S.A. cast right into the Badge. A very neat and complete press you have there. Ed.

 

[royce]

Here is a link to the guys that still support the KRW's There wasn't any specific hydraulic oil listed in the books, but they would know for sure. BTW, if it's got 5606 in it, there would probably need to be a complete seal change before going to something else. There also appears to have been two different pump styles. Your's is like mine, probably the late version.
http://www.devinmfg.com/krwilson.html

I've got a 50 ton and a 60 for my shop.

Thanks CV,
The government had drained the oil out of this before I got to it.
Can you help me understand the need to change seals if it, if it had 5606 in it?
I downloaded the manual before asking the question here, odd that they left the page with the oil spec out of the packet.

Royce

 

[royce]

Royce, I'm not sure of the spec'd oil either but use AW 46 in my 60t hydraulic press of similar vintage. I do appreciate the KR Wilson press and it's lines though and yours is a real beaut. Must have been made specifically for the military to have Property of U.S.A. cast right into the Badge. A very neat and complete press you have there. Ed.

Thanks Ed,
It is a nice bit of engineering and design.
Here is a couple pics of the only other markings I've seen on it so far.

Royce

 

[cvairwerks]

Royce: The main reason would be for compatibility. 5606 and certain seal materials get along great, while others react badly. If you were going to change fluids, you want all traces of 5606 out of the press and pump. This means tearing it down and flushing everything out and cleaning all the internals. If I remember correctly, the big piston seals are leather and you will never get all the 5606 out of them. If the gov ran 5606 in it, I'd just run the same thing. The total amount of fluid required to refill it will be less cost than new seals and new fluid. One other thing, 5606 and some other hydraulic fluids don't mix well at all and you can end up with some weird and nasty gunk in system if they are mixed. 5606 can be had in gallon cans from guys like SkyGeek for about $30 a gallon and you only need a couple gallons.

Something to remember about the KRW's, is that they are heavy sob's and quite top heavy due to the design. When changing table heights, make sure the winch lock is fully engaged before taking your hand off the winch handle to pull the pins. If it releases, you may be in for some broken bones if you are too close and it drops!

 

[Farmall 1066]

Love the original gauge! Mine was broken when I got it.
The math for a 50 ton works out to 1 ton per 100 psi.
Seal on piston is leather. Had to simmer mine over a Coleman stove awhile to make it pliable enough to install.

 

[royce]

Royce: The main reason would be for compatibility. 5606 and certain seal materials get along great, while others react badly. If you were going to change fluids, you want all traces of 5606 out of the press and pump. This means tearing it down and flushing everything out and cleaning all the internals. If I remember correctly, the big piston seals are leather and you will never get all the 5606 out of them. If the gov ran 5606 in it, I'd just run the same thing. The total amount of fluid required to refill it will be less cost than new seals and new fluid. One other thing, 5606 and some other hydraulic fluids don't mix well at all and you can end up with some weird and nasty gunk in system if they are mixed. 5606 can be had in gallon cans from guys like SkyGeek for about $30 a gallon and you only need a couple gallons.

Something to remember about the KRW's, is that they are heavy sob's and quite top heavy due to the design. When changing table heights, make sure the winch lock is fully engaged before taking your hand off the winch handle to pull the pins. If it releases, you may be in for some broken bones if you are too close and it drops!

CV,
Sounds like I screwed up then, I went ahead and put some 10 weight in it to check for leaks and function.
It seems to function and hold oil alright.
I ran it up to 20 ton and it bled back 10 ton in 15 min or so.
So, I guess I'm getting some back through the checks, not enough to bother me much.
At this point, do I run her till she raises hell or tear her down and rebuild her?
On the COG, I am putting wheels on it right now and added to the footprint to make it more stable.
I'll post a pic in a bit.
Thanks a bunch for the advise.
Royce

 

[royce]

Love the original gauge! Mine was broken when I got it.
The math for a 50 ton works out to 1 ton per 100 psi.
Seal on piston is leather. Had to simmer mine over a Coleman stove awhile to make it pliable enough to install.

Thanks Farmall,
I found it odd that the PSI followed the tons so closely.
Something mathical in the 5 inch bore, I suppose.

Royce

 

[disston]

I use power steering fluid in jacks and presses. Hydraulics. You mean that's not right?

 

[cvairwerks]

Royce: I wouldn't worry too much, just something to be aware of. I'd probably start collecting the seals and gaskets and put them on the shelf for a future rebuild. Both of mine need overhauls now, as they came from being stored outside. House stuff comes first for now though. Being as your's is military, you noticed in the manuals that there are some slightly different specs than for the commercial units? One safety thing to remember, is that you are going to have 6000 pisg on the pressure line, so be aware of the hazards that go with those pressures if you don't work around them normally. Pinholes or other leaks can vent fluid a long distance and in a very fine mist....if you have one, don't reach up to block it, dump the pressure and let it spew until it quits, then investigate. That **** tastes nasty and you don't want it injected under the skin.

Disston: nothing wrong about using ps/ATF as the fluid as long as whatever you are using it in has compatible seals. Mix incompatible materials, and you will end up with a mess to clean up eventually, and possible render the item uneconomical to repair.

 

[royce]

Royce: I wouldn't worry too much, just something to be aware of. I'd probably start collecting the seals and gaskets and put them on the shelf for a future rebuild. Both of mine need overhauls now, as they came from being stored outside. House stuff comes first for now though. Being as your's is military, you noticed in the manuals that there are some slightly different specs than for the commercial units? One safety thing to remember, is that you are going to have 6000 pisg on the pressure line, so be aware of the hazards that go with those pressures if you don't work around them normally. Pinholes or other leaks can vent fluid a long distance and in a very fine mist....if you have one, don't reach up to block it, dump the pressure and let it spew until it quits, then investigate. That **** tastes nasty and you don't want it injected under the skin.

Disston: nothing wrong about using ps/ATF as the fluid as long as whatever you are using it in has compatible seals. Mix incompatible materials, and you will end up with a mess to clean up eventually, and possible render the item uneconomical to repair.

CV,
Good call on getting the seals and gaskets now, while they are still in production.

I did notice the gov models are called out a little stouter.

Having a background in the pipe trades, the first thing I noticed were the malleable fittings on the piping.
When ever I have a need to tear this thing down I will repipe it with forged fittings, both socket welded and screwed as needed.

I had a little fun with ram areas and this is what I came up with;

4" ram
159.147 PSI per ton

5" ram
101.86 PSI per ton

6" ram
70.736 PSI per ton

I got some wheels and cross members made and bolted on today.
It is now mobile.

Thanks again
Royce

 

[royce]

The 4" wheels I used did not roll well and would not fit under the 7' door.
I pulled these 8" casters off a tool box and made a drop in the mounts today, to get it under the door.
It works good, now.

Royce

 

[cvairwerks]

Still a beast to push around with the big wheels isn't she?

 

[royce]

Still a beast to push around with the big wheels isn't she?

You bet

Royce