Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder assembly system preferably includes a seal installer tool, a piston puller tool and a barrel ring. The seal installer tool includes a tapered ring and a piston plug. The piston plug is inserted into the piston and seals slipped over the tapered ring. The piston puller tool preferably includes a piston rod engagement member, a thrust bearing retainer, a thrust bearing, a draw rod and a barrel end retainer. The thrust bearing is retained in the thrust bearing retainer and one end of the draw rod is retained in thrust bearing retainer. One end of the piston engagement member is threaded into the thrust bearing retainer. An opposing end of the piston engagement member is threaded into a piston rod. The barrel end retainer is threaded on to an opposing end of the draw rod. The barrel ring is attached to a barrel of a water pump.

Abstract: An insulated excavation tube preferably includes a non-conductive tip tube, a non-conductive connector tube, a first vacuum tube, a second vacuum tube, a flange member and a handle. One end of the first vacuum tube is retained in one end of the non-conductive tip tube. A distance is maintained between an end of the first vacuum tube and an opposing end of the non-conductive tip tube to provide electrical and vibration isolation. An opposing end of the first vacuum tube is retained in one end of the non-conductive connector tube. One end of the second vacuum tube is retained in the non-conductive connector tube. A gap is maintained between the opposing end of the first vacuum tube and the one end of the second vacuum tube. The flange member is attached to an opposing end of the second vacuum tube. The handle is attached to the second vacuum tube.

Abstract: A portable crimping device preferably includes a support base, a hydraulic cylinder, a hand hydraulic pump, a crimping device and a pair of mounting brackets. The pair of mounting brackets are attached to the support base. An output of the hand hydraulic pump is connected to an input of the hydraulic cylinder. The hand hydraulic pump and the hydraulic cylinder are retained by the pair of mounting brackets. The crimping device preferably includes a base yoke member, a die pivot member and an actuation base. A pair of crimp dies are retained in the base yoke member and the die pivot member. The actuation base is slidably retained in the base yoke member. The die pivot member is engaged with the die pivot member. Pumping of the hand hydraulic pump causes the actuation base to crimp an object placed between the pair of crimp dies.

Abstract: A portable hand operated hose fitting swaging device preferably includes a swaging frame, the pair of swaging die halves, a hydraulic cylinder, a hand hydraulic pump and a support base. The swaging frame includes a cylinder support, a pair of support straps and a die base. The two swaging die halves are retained in the die base. The swaging die halves include a bore to receive a hose end of a hose fitting. A fitting ram is attached to an end of the cylinder rod of the hydraulic cylinder. The hand hydraulic pump includes a pump, an accumulator and a pump relief valve. The pump includes a removable actuator rod. The removable actuator rod is pulled to generate an output of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pump forces hydraulic fluid through an output opening. The output opening is connected to the hydraulic cylinder through at least one hydraulic line.

Abstract: A portable hand operated hose fitting swaging device preferably includes a swaging frame, a pair of swaging die halves, a hydraulic cylinder and a hand hydraulic pump. The swaging frame includes a cylinder support, a pair of support straps and a die base. The two swaging die halves are retained in the die base. The swaging die halves include a substantially conical bore to receive a hose end of a hose fitting. The hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder rod. A fitting ram is attached to an end of the cylinder rod. The hand hydraulic pump includes a pump, an accumulator and a pump relief valve. The pump includes an actuator rod, which is pulled to generate pressurized hydraulic fluid. The pump forces hydraulic fluid through an output opening. The output opening is connected to the hydraulic cylinder through at least one hydraulic line.

Abstract: A self-aligning flange includes a flange member, a collar member and a stop member. An inner perimeter of the collar member is sized to receive an outer perimeter of a pipe. The flange member extends outward from an outer perimeter of the collar member. The stop member extends inward from the inner perimeter of the collar member. A large diameter extruded pipe includes a continuous cross section of at least six inches in diameter. It is preferable to weld a flange to one end of the large diameter extruded pipe. Immediately after the large diameter extruded pipe has been formed in an extrusion press, it is sprayed with a coolant to increase the surface hardness thereof.

Abstract: A method of attaching a self-aligning flange to a vacuum pipe includes a flange member, a collar member and a stop member. An inner perimeter of the collar member is sized to receive an outer perimeter of a pipe. The flange member extends outward from an outer perimeter of the collar member. The stop member extends inward from the inner perimeter of the collar member. A method of forming a large diameter extruded pipe includes a continuous cross section of at least six inches in diameter. It is preferable to weld a flange to one end of the large diameter extruded pipe. Immediately after the large diameter extruded pipe has been formed in an extrusion press, it is sprayed with a coolant to increase the surface hardness thereof.

Abstract: A method of removing a sensing rod from a hydraulic water pump includes an access plug, a sealing o-ring, and an end block modified to receive the access plug. The access plug preferably includes a front flange, a threaded body, and a rear tapered end. An o-ring groove is formed adjacent the front flange to retain the sealing o-ring. An internal thread is preferably formed in the modified end block to threadably receive the access plug. An opening is formed through the length of the access plug which is sized to receive the sensing rod. The access plug is unthreaded to allow the sensing rod to be removed. A nut removal tool inserted through the internal threads of the modified end block to unscrew a rod nut. Once the rod nut has been unscrewed, the sensing rod may be removed.

Abstract: A hydraulic reel adapted for attachment to a skid steer (hydraulic reel) includes a base frame, a reel frame, a reel, and a hydraulic motor. One end of the base frame is mounted to a quick mount member of the skid steer and the reel frame is pivotally attached to other end thereof. The reel includes an axle which is rotably retained by the reel frame. A hydraulic motor drives the reel. A rotary union is attached to an open end of the axle and a hose is secured to the other end of the axle. The hose is routed through an opening in the reel. Pressurized hydraulic fluid is taken from the skid steer hydraulic system to operate the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic reel may be moved wherever desired with the skid steer.

Abstract: A method of removing a sensing rod from a hydraulic water pump includes an access plug, a sealing o-ring, and an end block modified to receive the access plug. The access plug preferably includes a front flange, a threaded body, and a rear tapered end. An o-ring groove is formed adjacent the front flange to retain the sealing o-ring. An internal thread is preferably formed in the modified end block to threadably receive the access plug. An opening is formed through the length of the access plug which is sized to receive the sensing rod. The access plug is unthreaded to allow the sensing rod to be removed. A nut removal tool inserted through the internal threads of the modified end block to unscrew a rod nut. Once the rod nut has been unscrewed, the sensing rod may be removed.