Hydraulics

When I first got the truck, the bed did function as a dump.  Although the connections in the hydraulic lines were wrapped in cloth – my guess was to stop the leaking!  Of course this didn’t work at all.  Every time I engaged the PTO to prime the hydraulic pump, the lines would start to slowly leak, and drip long afterwards.

Finally while removing the bed to do other work, I broke one of the 90 degree connectors at a piston.  That put an end to “playing” with the lift – the function of my toy I liked to show off the most.  The fitting broke off inside the piston, and I drill it out using an extractor – it came out pretty easily.

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Ultimately I will be replacing all the lines and fittings in the lift system.  But for the short term I want it working,  at least for the first “Kanata Cruise Night” first week of May.

I took it to a local shop in town, Robs Truck Service.  Knowing the owner certainly came with perks, he had all parts I needed on site, hydraulic fluid dispensed by the litre like fuel at a gas station, and he gave me free range of his toolbox!  He also informed me that two of the lines had brass fittings and not acceptable as hydraulic lines by todays standards.  I’ll be bringing the truck back to RTS to have new proper lines fabricated.  But for now, its back together, leak free, and fully functional.

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3 thoughts on “Hydraulics

  1. I have the chance to buy 49 3100 with a dump bed, a southwest truck, great patina, little to no rust-except western rust :-), all original, no wrecks, not running, original 6cyl in it, all pieces there, they are wanting $5000 for it, good price? I can’t seem to find any info out there for a dump bed option on this year? Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for any feedback.

    • To be honest, $5000 (USD?) seems to be high for a non runner. I’ve seen tons of these trucks sell for under 3k USD over the years. That said, it’s hard to place a value on them, they’re worth whatever you pay for them! Have you had a looked around for comparisons? Have a look at stovebolt.com in the classified section.

      A dumping bed was never an option. It was added on after by a 3rd party company. Chevy may have contracted the work, but it wasn’t done at the factory. Have any photos of this potential truck?

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