Harbor Freight Trencher Repair Part 2: “ I get by with a little help from my friends.”

[@jafquist27]

Awesome! Thank you for the information on the fittings. I think I'll get on finding me a few spares, before I need them. I received my trencher in July, but I had contracted lyme disease, so I was out of commission for a while. I'll be getting it going soon. I am so excited. I have consumed every bit of info I can find on the machine, learning all (most?) the pitfalls, and things to look out for, and I'm fairly confident I can use it without breaking it... at least for a little while.

[@shawnebaines8276]

I have heard lots of people talk about ‘breaking’ the trencher but it is usually because of impatience or, in my case, just pushing it a little too hard. I still stand behind this little machine. For me it was a real life changer!

[@huntingeverythingwithmikem3458]

Thanks for the video I need to do the exact same thing to mine. Now I just need to try to figure out how to order the parts.

[@DoubleMFarmHomestead]

Nice job Shawne. Looks like you're well on your way to digging. Now let the fun begin!! LOL

[@shawnebaines8276]

I’m so happy to have this thing working again. Before I could get started today the rains rolled back in. Haha

[@DoubleMFarmHomestead]

@@shawnebaines8276 Yep, it's always something. LOL

[@MoeDCFCD91]

British standard pipe is what kubota uses as well if that is of any help. Difference between American and British pipe threads is. American is tapered and British is straight. If you thread American too deep it can gaul out the port or even crack the port. Just saw in my feed someone working on a backhoe keep up the good work.

[@shawnebaines8276]

Yeah I went out and eyeballed a couple of fittings and expected a quick fix, but when I turned it I could tell I would do some damage if I did t stop.

[@donniecline3012]

When pouring your oil from the five gallon bucket, turn spout towards the top you won't get all that splash.

[@shawnebaines8276]

Haha. Yeah- I know that. Just didn’t do it. 😆

[@rosesnook8501]

It's been about a year since you posted this video, Can you elaborate how the AW68 oil has held up , winter,summer , does the unit over heat the oil and slow down performance after a couple hours like we found the thinner oil does ? And is all the hoses suppose to be in the D-Ring on the boom knuckle ? We bought ours used and the orevious owner left 2 hoses out of tge D-Ring for some reason ... Somehow he managed to put the wheels on backwards to , that took some time to fix 😂

[@shawnebaines8276]

I personally never saw any issues with temp or performance. I haven’t worked the machine as hard over the last year, though. As far as the hoses? Not really sure. Mine is a second hand unit, too, so I can’t vouch for its configuration. 😬

[@Robyjv8]

Southern Nash Hydraulics ? Are you near Spring Hope N.C. ?

[@shawnebaines8276]

Nearby

[@stevenbozanich4952]

If you prefill the filter prior to installation you prevent oil starvation in you pump during startup.

[@shawnebaines8276]

Duly noted. I lubed the filter seal but didn’t fill the filter.

[@fhuber7507]

The duration of filling the filter is inconsequential. Many filters are mounted in ways you can't pre-fill. On the side or inverted. The inverted is common on heavy machinery like excavators that move 2 cubic yards per scoop. The real standard for how to change oil filters is to just lightly oil the gasket. And put the filter on empty.

[@zbow1974]

i just took my hoses in to a local hydraulic store and had the ends changed, costed me 30 dollars and now i dont need to special order anything.

[@andrewfuller8440]

Don’t use an adjustable crescent wrench on hydraulic fittings. Because damage is easy

[@shawnebaines8276]

I can see that. Thanks. I’m learning something every day.

[@kevinhamlett1400]

That filter had a little wobble when screwing it on.

[@dandahermitseals5582]

The piston is part of the cylinder

[@maximuspesce]

Did you top off that hydraulic filter

[@shawnebaines8276]

I did.👌

[@tonydjd]

Can i get part number. I need a replacement cylinder like you have done

[@shawnebaines8276]

manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/62000-62999/62365.pdf. This website has the manual online with an exploded parts list near the end. You can order by phone through th ordering number at the HF site.

[@leventoruc1675]

ıs there a plan?

[@zbow1974]

go back and get that old gasket off the filter area you could see it hanging down in the video,

[@jimbauer6822]

Use the correct tools and wouldnt damage things

[@shawnebaines8276]

Yes I’ve been told. Unfortunately, I have little experience working on farm/ industrial equipment so I’ve had to make do. I know there’s a proper tool for every job. I just work on so many types of things that always using the correct tool is cost-prohibitive.

[@fhuber7507]

5:45 Please stop using the Crescent wrench. You are doing it wrong and will round off nuts. Get a set of proper open end box wrenches. USE THE CORRECT SIZE, not SAE on meteric or metric on SAE. I like and use the Crescent wrench, but I snug it up on the nut/fitting and that prevents rounding off the corners of the hexagonal shape. You have a gap like using 1 size too large metric... The equipment you stop mangling will rapidly pay for the proper wrench set.

[@shawnebaines8276]

Thanks for the tips. Guess I lucked out this time.