Western Belt Trailer

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by mike216, Sep 23, 2021.

  1. mike216

    mike216 Bobtail Member

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    Not sure what forum to post this question in. I have a Western Belt trailer and both hydraulic lines are becoming very hot unloading. So hot one melted the 1/4 “ line going to the weight gauge. The trucks pressures have been checked and they are fine. Oil is circulated in a 50 gallon tank.
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Generally speaking heat in hydraulics is from a bypassing component. Worn motor or pump will do it. Only way to check those is with a flowmeter setup. A washed out control spool or bypassing relief valve will make heat too.

    If the system has a cooler, make sure its clear and whatnot.
     
  4. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I would rig up a tee with a pressure gauge. Install it in the trailer inlet and outlet lines. What are those pressures while it is in operation loaded?
    Is it a new set up? Is it running to many gallon per minute?
     
  5. mike216

    mike216 Bobtail Member

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    42715491-C9B8-47B7-941F-9740B0EFF55A.jpeg 4AC18DFF-BC6E-4DFE-BA8E-3B08CDFC6B7D.jpeg
    The trailer is five years old.The problem of lines heating up seem to be increasing over the last two years.It’s now where you can’t put your hands on them and the plastic air line going to the weight gauge melted where it was zip tied to a hydraulic line.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2021
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    If its been getting worse over time, I'd lean towards a worn motor or pump. I'd start with getting those tested.
     
  7. mike216

    mike216 Bobtail Member

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    Just had the truck tested. Hydraulic shop said everything was good.
    Trailer is loaded tonight. Going to hook a different truck to it tomorrow and see what happens.
     
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  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Was everything tested (truck and trailer) or just what was on the truck for components?

    Heat is wasted energy. There's something bypassing and creating the heat.
     
  9. mike216

    mike216 Bobtail Member

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    It was at the hydraulic shop that installed the pump on truck 5 yrs. ago. They said they tested both. The trailer was empty.
     
  10. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    My hydraulic experience is not strong. But resistance to fluid flow is when heat is generated. Does the belt speed function as it did when new? I would more suspect a mechanical binding issue with the belt components. Can you isolate the motor from the mechanics? Does it still heat up when the motor is unloaded and free? Does the belt move free with the motor detached and no product on it?

    More questions than answers.......I know.

    Just brainstorming.....
     
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  11. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Definitely check for mechanical binding. Could be dumping some oil flow over relief due to being too hard to turn the belts.
     
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