Tractor Repair: Hydraulic cylinders, path of least resistance, diameter cylinder

Question

cylinders HI Arnie :

A followup on the JOhn Deere 2350  with woods Batwing mower.
I checked the hoses today an indeed the hose to the cylinders is split. So it doesnt seem to make any sense. I have enclose some pics. The red cylinder is the new one and I have tried the hose at each end. On one end the re cylinder will move (opposite of that on the other batwing - ie it extends while the other is retracting) when i switch the hose to the other end of the red cylinder there is no movement with the red cylinder - the other batwing cylinder continues to move. ANy ideas??  

Mike

Answer
Ok, it sounds like you have one hose coming out of the back of the tractor that splits to go to both wing cylinders.  When 2 cylinders are fed by the same hose, the oil will go to the path of least resistance, so both wings may not lift together.  The one that lifts easiest will raise first before the other one.  Since the red cylinder is not the exact same size as the other one (according to the parts list in the link) that will make it even worse.  I think you said you put a 3 X 12 cylinder on, and the parts list shows a 3 1/2 X 12.  A larger diameter cylinder will have more lifting power because of more surface area of the internal piston for the oil to push on.  I would suggest either getting the correct cylinder for this machine or having the old one repaired if possible.


Oops, My mistake, the parts list shows a 2 1/2 X 12