How to Improvise a Hydraulic Line End Cap

 

Improvised Hydraulic Line End Cap
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In working on the backhoe I had to keep removing lines and valves.  Unfortunately I had no idea how long the hydraulic shop would take.  I was working with a good, fast, cheap, pick any two mechanic and I choose good and cheap.  Therefore, I had no idea how log the hose lines would be disconnected.

Old tractors use non-detergent oil for hydraulics and that means water in the system causes havok.  I needed a plug but out in the middle of the woods I had to make an improvised end cap.

To make my hydraulic line cap I tried to fit the fingers of thick latex gloves over the lines and tie them in place.

This worked very well for the non-pressurized lines, but on the cylinders under pressure, the back pressure blew my finger caps up like balloons.  Some even popped over time.

If you are going to do this, I would recommend putting the hydraulic cylinders in a non-pressurized position, for a backhoe, that means resting on the ground.  Luckily I also taped the hoses into groups and places the ends of the individual groups inside ziploc bags and taped the bags shut around the line ends, so even the improvised caps that failed did not get water in the line.

Homemade Contrivances and How to Make Them

Book Review: Homemade Contrivances and How to Make Them
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The traditional American devices contained in this intriguing compilation date from an era long before milking machines, pesticide sprayers, and industrial hay bailers.

Yet the simple inventions described for doing everything from managing young bulls to protecting drain outlets can be just as useful for today’s farmer as they were for the homesteaders of over a century ago.

Discover how to make such items as a movable nest for hens, a ribless boat, a contraption to extricate a mired animal, a farm cart with adjustable racks for larger loads, a wire fence tightener, a fruit picker, a grindstone set and frame, and much more.

Homemade Contrivances and How to Make Them is a boon for the rancher, farmer, or anyone who loves the rural life.  I like using this book to do research on homestead solutions from the past.  I then use this information and combine it with modern techniques and materials to create something even better.

This is a pretty great book, the fence tightener works with electric fence, and the movable chicken coop is something I really need to make.

Nowdays a single plan for one of the things in this book can cost more than the entire document.  Its well worth the price.

The Soldier’s Load and the Mobility of a Nation

The Soldier's Load and the Mobility of a Nation
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The Soldier’s Load and the Mobility of a Nation is one of those foundational works in a profession.

“This is a must read book for all Military”.This historical book presents a lucid case against overloading the infantryman which commanders and staff officers have repeatedly done throughout history. Continuing its mission to develop Marines, The Marine Corps Association and Foundation has made this enduring classic available to support our Corps.

Gear weights keep rising, when I was in the service in the 1990’s it was common for a soldier in full gear to weigh enough to set off an anti-tank mine.  weights with gear over 350 pounds were not uncommon.

It is no surprise that bad knees and backs plague our former soldiers as the re-enter society.

More than disability, overloading the soldier has crippling impacts on rediness and combat effectiveness.  In this Classic work, the author investigates The Soldier’s Load and how it impacts the Mobility of a Nation

Weight robs the fighter of both mobility and momentum and the technology that should be helping the American infantryman is crippling them.  Everything has a battery now.  Extra batteries are killer in the realm of dead weight.

This book is required reading for today’s military leaders, even with vehicles, infantry needs to be able to carry their own gear – equipment is changing as technology changes, but what can be humped on a soldiers back doesn’t change.  Line gear helps, but knowing what a soldier can carry is vital.