On our Thundercat and CHUGSzilla projects we modified the hydraulic reservoirs by adding a second filter head and filter. We also used larger (longer) hydraulic filters which increase the volume of hydraulic fluid, as well as add more filter media. An additional benefit is filter heads allow only so much fluid volume through the filter, and if that volume limit is exceeded, the excess fluid bypasses the filter. By adding a second filter head you eliminate/reduce the amount of bypassed fluid.
But, speaking of bypassed fluid, the stock Tucker hydraulic system plumbing has a large upside down Tee at the bottom of the hydraulic reservoir. The forward leg of the Tee feeds the hydraulic pump. But the rear leg of the Tee is used for fluid return. Guess what? That fluid then flows unfiltered to the pump. Philosophically, we believe all return hydraulic fluid should be filtered, so we replaced the Tee with a 90º elbow to feed the pump, and all return fluid is routed through the filters.
Pics explain better than words.
Stock hydraulic tank setup on CHUGSzilla. Note the single small filter.
Here’s a side view. Note the upside down Tee and the return line feeding the rear leg of the Tee.
This is the front of the tank after we cut it off in preparation to have two filter heads.
The new front welded on with the two new filter heads.
Assembled with two new, longer filters (Donaldson part number P565059).
Of course all this work was done before The Infamous WBJ1 decided to have CHUGSzilla painted the hideous Baby Shit Green color. We had to go back and repaint the hydraulic reservoir black.
Here it is installed. Note how the upside down Tee was eliminated and all return fluid is routed through the filters. You can also see a chip in the black paint on the tank... showing the orange color underneath.
But, speaking of bypassed fluid, the stock Tucker hydraulic system plumbing has a large upside down Tee at the bottom of the hydraulic reservoir. The forward leg of the Tee feeds the hydraulic pump. But the rear leg of the Tee is used for fluid return. Guess what? That fluid then flows unfiltered to the pump. Philosophically, we believe all return hydraulic fluid should be filtered, so we replaced the Tee with a 90º elbow to feed the pump, and all return fluid is routed through the filters.
Pics explain better than words.
Stock hydraulic tank setup on CHUGSzilla. Note the single small filter.
Here’s a side view. Note the upside down Tee and the return line feeding the rear leg of the Tee.
This is the front of the tank after we cut it off in preparation to have two filter heads.
The new front welded on with the two new filter heads.
Assembled with two new, longer filters (Donaldson part number P565059).
Of course all this work was done before The Infamous WBJ1 decided to have CHUGSzilla painted the hideous Baby Shit Green color. We had to go back and repaint the hydraulic reservoir black.
Here it is installed. Note how the upside down Tee was eliminated and all return fluid is routed through the filters. You can also see a chip in the black paint on the tank... showing the orange color underneath.
