FLU419 SEE HMMH HME Owners group

[Another Ahab]

I was really lucky in that the place that sold me the FLU419 several years ago told me it didn't come with any of the hydraulic tools. I purchased it sight unseen, only photos. When it arrived I was very pleased when I cut off the padlock and found all three hydraulic tools and all bits. The rock drill was brand new and still painted orange. The FLU419 had just come back from Afghanistan. Papers under the seat showed that it had also been to Kuwait and Iraq.

"Christmas in July", glcaines!

Zweet!!

 

[Pinsandpitons]

Looking to sell my FLU. Sad days, but I need the freedom more than the tool. Anybody have suggestions? It's been a solid machine but I need to find the right buyer.

 

[Another Ahab]

Looking to sell my FLU. Sad days, but I need the freedom more than the tool. Anybody have suggestions? It's been a solid machine but I need to find the right buyer.

Sorry to hear the sadness, pinsandpitons; but I guess changes-and-churning happens to everybody one way or another.

You know she'll find a good home from someone, likely even somebody on this site!

 

[The FLU farm]

Looking to sell my FLU. Sad days, but I need the freedom more than the tool. Anybody have suggestions? It's been a solid machine but I need to find the right buyer.

I know the feeling. I've started looking for a good home for the HME.

It'd be hard to replace that one if/when I come to my senses.

 

[glcaines]

I think about selling mine every once in a while. Then I end up using it and am thankful I came to my senses. I have used mine on several large projects at home, including the hydraulic tools. I just used the chainsaw today cutting up a large poplar tree that came down blocking my road and hauled off the large logs with the FLU. I've actually had two people try to buy mine from me, but none in the last year.

 

[The FLU farm]

There's no way I'd sell the SEEs, or the HMMH. Those are just way too useful to get rid of.

 

[Sgt Jiggins]

I think about selling mine every once in a while. Then I end up using it and am thankful I came to my senses.

Read that and thought, wait, did I post that? Few things put a grin on my face like firing that beast up.

 

[glcaines]

I'm having trouble with my FLU419. I replaced the front wiring harness with an NOS harness. What a pain that was. Everything works fine now, or at least I thought it did. Everything works on the backhoe and the hydraulic tools. 4X4 and differential lock work fine. Since replacing the wiring harness months ago, I hadn't driven it on the highway at speed. I discovered that the intermediate speed control doesn't work now. It worked fine prior to replacing the wiring harness. It stays in low range regardless of where the collar on the shifter is located. Top speed is now ~25 MPH. The only electrical connections I see on the schematic is wiring to the panel light showing that low range is selected. Even though it is permanently in low range this light doesn't light. The bulb is new. I know the switch for the circuit is on top of the transmission and is closed or open as the piston moves back and forth between high and low range. I suspect that the piston isn't fully in the low range positon which would close the electrical switch and illuminate the light. I'm suspicious that the problem lies in the pneumatics, but it is also troubling that the problem developed when I replaced the wiring harness. I should also confirm that the pneumatic pressure is ~106 PSI. A while back, I rebuilt the top of the transmission with the pneumatic piston for the intermediate speed control. When I re-assembled the unit, the piston moved freely and had a new O-ring and was lubricated. It worked flawlessly after the rebuild, so I don't think that could be the problem. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Pinsandpitons]

Pwr or ground problems causing under-drive solenoid to shift without selector on gear lever. Frustrating problem. Drain air system , physically move range lever to direct and have soldier B watch to see if it shifts as pressure builds? Maybe disconnect the collar? Im sure you'll find the issue.

 

[Another Ahab]

I'm having trouble with my FLU419. I replaced the front wiring harness with an NOS harness. What a pain that was. I suspect that the piston isn't fully in the low range positon which would close the electrical switch and illuminate the light. I'm suspicious that the problem lies in the pneumatics, but it is also troubling that the problem developed when I replaced the wiring harness. Does anyone have any ideas?

Man. That is such a P I A (pain in the afterdeck), when you:

- go and do everything right to make a fix

- and then you get a problem you didn't need from all of that effort

Hang tough like Pinsandpitons (must be a climber!), encouragingly suggested.

And keep in mind we want you to succeed!

 

[brandan34]

Is this one of the things where the switch on the clutch peddle needs to work before it sends air to the cylinder? If I remember right there is an electric selenoid that needs power to allow the air to move things. If so maybe check that it is getting power.

 

[majkowskid]

Gary,

I had a similar issue when I did my wiring harness! And you actually helped me when I was getting my shift actuator to work. My problem was actually wire damage going to the actuator itself. It runs on ground to the air solenoid setup on the side of the transmission. I’d be tracing ground that connects to the switch on the air shift solenoid.

 

[Another Ahab]

1989 flu419 military excavator

Family owned for 10 years, 8 of which were in storage.
Less than 200. (Yes 200) original miles
Engine hours are less than 300.

Purchased from family member 2 years ago to do some ranch work. Now complete and loooking for smaller machine! Will consider trades for mini excavator, diesel only, with cab/ac.

The flu419 is a military excavator which has a front end loader and foldable case m35c excavator on the rear, as well as remote hydraulics on hose reel for operating hydraulic equipment like chainsaws, jacks, pumps etc.

Powered by a Mercedes Benz om352 diesel engine, it’s an absolute beast. Portal axles for lots of ground clearance, 16 forward and reverse gears, with air splitter, high and low range. 4 wd with air locking differentials. This thing goes absolutely anywhere.

I replaced the entire wiring harness behind dash (damn mouse) and absolutely every light, horn, heater, everything works like new.
4 hydraulic cylinders professionally rebuilt this month as they had microscopic leaks.

2x12 volt batteries replaced last year.

New filters all around, and all fluids replaced.

New diesel primer pump although you’ll never need to prime it. Thins thing starts like a brand new truck. Will drive approximately 50 mph (I’ve had it about 45 with room to go)

You will need a large flat bed trailer to get it home. Weighs approximately 15000 lbs.

Also have military m1102 trailer that is like new I can sell also for 2000$. All aluminum high bed trailer made to tow behind humvees in the desert! Has like new 37” tires. Pintel hitch connection and the flu419 has a pintle connection as well.

Serious buyers only. Located in Robert Lee tx and can show by appointment only.

Cash sales only.

Call or text 325-305-6064
Located in Robert Lee tx, just outside of San angeloView attachment 950078

Flu419 is $32000.

Guessing that beautiful beast will have a new home in a hurry.

Shed looks mighty clean. Got to figure that machine has been treated right.

 

[glcaines]

I ended up removing the access cover again once I determined that there was no problem with either the electric circuit or the pneumatic supply. It turned out that the piston was frozen in the bore. Frozen solid. After dismantling I determined that when I originally rebuilt the cover, the corrosion was too great. I had cleaned up the bore with a brake cylinder hone and I thought it was almost perfect, but it wasn't. What little imperfections that were left in the bore chewed up one of the o-rings and the rubber fragments jammed the piston solid. I ordered a replacement cover assembly from EI for $593.00, along with new o-rings. Unfortunately, I'm getting pretty good at accessing the intermediate speed control assembly. It only took me 1-1/2 hours to have it removed and dismantled. One thing I want to accomplish this time around is to clean up the rubber cover that covers the plate. There is some CARC overspray on it and I'm having some difficulty removing it. So far, acetone is working the best. Any other ideas?

 

[Another Ahab]

One thing I want to accomplish this time around is to clean up the rubber cover that covers the plate. There is some CARC overspray on it and I'm having some difficulty removing it. So far, acetone is working the best. Any other ideas?

For chemical removal, Acetone is about as "hot" as you can get.

The only next step is mechanical, isn't it?