Larry,

<<The gear could not be raised by hand even with the dump valve open.>>This is normal.  The back pressure circuit does not open until the spool valve is moved by the pump.

 

<<We cracked a hyd fitting to relieve the pressure (which worked).  >> There is a cleaner way.  After you open the dump valve, bump the hydraulic motor in the up direction to let the spool valve open the back pressure circuit.  You can then raise the gear by hand. 

 

<<This indicates we have a internal cylinder leak.>> I don't understand this conclusion.??

 

<<However, is this only true in one direction?>> Yes.

 

<<That is, when the gear are up, does it bleed the downside pressure?>> Yes

 

The "poor man's" test for the reversed spool valve is to reverse direction while the gear is on its way up.

 

Aren't these hydraulics fun.

Chris

 

 

 

 

Chris Zavatson

N91CZ

360std.