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[TRG]

I was looking for some info on maintenance of the hydraulic feed for Great Western Lapidary Equipment Co. saws.  How often do you have to add hydraulic fluid and what kind do you use? The 24" I picked up is hydraulic. I was thinking of switching over to mineral based/vegetable based biodegradable hydraulic fluid and looking for other options. I cleaned out the saw to switch it over to mineral oil, so I was hoping to use something along those lines. Does the hydraulic fluid drain into the oil pan while being used? I don't know enough about it.. the 18" GW I have has a threaded auto feed. Thanks!!

[peruano]

If the hydraulic fluid is being used as the coolant/lubricant for the blade then there is no problem is shifting to mineral oil.  Its my impression and its a big impression that you never want to use vegetable oil or anything that can go rancid (stink and sticky).  Lots of folks use other lubricants (diesel fuel, rv antifreeze, hydraulic fluid, etc.), but I strongly prefer something the least likely to be toxic if inhaled and or consumed, with a low flash point, and with virtually no odor.  Mineral oil meets those criteria as well as being gentle on my hands.  I even resist baby oil because I don't need scented rocks and it has other things in it besides mineral oil. 
Some saws use a hydraulic feed system, but I'm assuming that is not your question. 

[olgguy]

I have the Great Western 18" gravity feed with the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulics are a closed system with a reservoir. The oil doesn't mix with the saw coolant. In the side of the reservoir are two copper lines near the bottom. The level of hydraulic fluid should be above the two inlets, maybe half way up the reservoir. Do not fill all the way to the top, as the cylinder travels the oil has to have room to be pushed back in to the reservoir. When I got the saw the hydraulic oil seemed to be a heavy weight motor oil much like what was being used for coolant. When I rebuilt the saw I changed to a regular hydraulic oil. For coolant I use Kingsley North "Lubri- Kool" highly refined mineral oil.

[bobby1]

At our shop, we have one of these saws but we haven't had a need to fiddle with the hydraulic system but we do need to replace the throttle valve. Anyone know of a source for the valve? I tried looking it up online with no success.
For our saw oil, we use food grade hydraulic oil that we get from a local industrial oil distributor for $14 a gallon. 
Bob

[catmandewe]

You can use either mineral oil or hydraulic oil in the hydraulic dampner system. Do not use vegetable based oils in there as it will damage your seals. When you fill it  push the cylinder all the way closed and then fill the tank, you shouldnt need to replace it unless you have a leak somewhere in the system.

Bobby, The valve is a needle valve that you should be able to find at most well stocked hardware stores. Might need to do some creative plumbing to make it work though.

[Back]

Hi All

No dont put  vegetable in it.

Cool thread about  hydraulic feed. I am thinking of putting a  hydraulic set up om my drop saw to slow down the feed rate. Ever heard of this done?

Bless
Shawn

[Ranger_Dave]

Adding hydraulics to anything sounds complicated. I like to keep things simple. I would just add a counterbalance where I could add or remove weight to change the cutting rate.

[TRG]

Thank you very much everyone.. It was all very helpful.      It's interesting how it works and I'm glad to know of the fill levels now. Thanks Olgguy.. nice saw you have there!    I thought of another question about a GW saw with threaded feed that has a second geared motor instead.  Do any of you know if there's a standard geared motor for the 18" saws?  The label was worn off the geared motor so I could never look up a replacement to know the right speed it should be.  I guess I could of looked up another brand but I don't remember seeing anything in any catalogs I have.