6 hours ago
Machine background and company history
The International Harvester (later Dresser) 175C crawler loader entered production in the early 1970s as a rugged, mid-sized track loader designed for heavy-duty tasks like quarrying and infrastructure building. It was powered by a 6-cylinder DT-466B turbocharged diesel engine with approximately 150 horsepower. Its weight hovered around 38,000 lb, and it featured a torque-converter powershift transmission and open-center hydraulic system delivering roughly 30 GPM at up to 2,500 psi .
International Harvester, a long-standing name in farm and industrial machinery, merged with Dresser to expand its footprint into heavy construction equipment. The 175C became a workhorse, especially in regions valuing durability and ease of field maintenance over sophisticated electronics.
Cylinder seal anatomy and terminology
In hydraulic cylinders, the term packing often means the seal kit—a set of components that help the cylinder hold pressure and prevent fluid leakage. Key parts include:
Common service challenges and practical advice
When these seals age, you often see hydraulic fluid leaking around the bucket lift or curl (tilt) cylinder. This leads to sluggish movement, contamination, heat buildup—and eventually, productivity loss.
Owners of 175C loaders often opt for aftermarket seal kits when genuine OEM options are scarce. For example, kits from suppliers such as Baum Hydraulics (part number 679 327 C92) have proven reliable and cost-effective . A typical bore and rod dimension for these cylinders is 4.5 in bore with a 3 in rod .
One telltale remark from a seasoned owner: “Baum Hydraulics have quality seal kits at a reasonable price.” Many technicians have similarly had success sourcing kits directly from hydraulic shops rather than waiting for OEM stock .
Seal service process overview
Here’s a breakdown of the steps technicians typically follow when servicing a cylinder:
Sales, production, and part supply context
While precise production figures for the 175C aren’t publicly listed, its reputation for longevity suggests several thousand units produced over the 1970s and 1980s. The DT-466 engine it carried became a staple in medium to heavy equipment.
Because International Harvester merged with Dresser and ceased loader production lines later, OEM support diminished. Yet the machine’s popularity prompted aftermarket vendors—like BrokenTractor.com and parts resellers—to stock seal kits, cylinder parts, and hoses. For example, BrokenTractor lists both bucket tilt and boom lift cylinder kits with clear specs and competitive prices . Also, TractorZone offers seal kits (e.g. part 906003) at prices around $104-$105, along with pistons and tubes for repair .
Anecdote from the shed
In a small Midwestern farm machinery repair shop, a technician named Carla was tasked with refurbishing a client’s 175C tilt cylinder. The rod had visible nick marks, and the seals were brittle. Carla ordered a Baum kit, swapped seals during a quiet weekend, and had the loader back in service by Monday. The owner was grateful—no downtime meant the harvest continued without interruption. Over lunch, Carla joked that, in her book, a good seal kit is like a band-aid on productivity—it holds everything in place until the job is done.
Maintenance tips and recommendations
To extend seal and cylinder life:
Conclusion
In sum, maintaining the cylinder packing on the 175C loader revolves around understanding seal function, sourcing reliable aftermarket kits, and following solid service procedure. With correct bore (4.5 in) and rod (3 in) sizing, kits like those from Baum Hydraulics ensure restoration of hydraulic integrity. Thoughtful maintenance helps these decades-old machines continue contributing to work today—making them reminders of rugged engineering and dependable operation.
The International Harvester (later Dresser) 175C crawler loader entered production in the early 1970s as a rugged, mid-sized track loader designed for heavy-duty tasks like quarrying and infrastructure building. It was powered by a 6-cylinder DT-466B turbocharged diesel engine with approximately 150 horsepower. Its weight hovered around 38,000 lb, and it featured a torque-converter powershift transmission and open-center hydraulic system delivering roughly 30 GPM at up to 2,500 psi .
International Harvester, a long-standing name in farm and industrial machinery, merged with Dresser to expand its footprint into heavy construction equipment. The 175C became a workhorse, especially in regions valuing durability and ease of field maintenance over sophisticated electronics.
Cylinder seal anatomy and terminology
In hydraulic cylinders, the term packing often means the seal kit—a set of components that help the cylinder hold pressure and prevent fluid leakage. Key parts include:
- Rod seal (wear seal): stops fluid leaking around the rod.
- O-ring: circular ring providing a pressure-tight barrier.
- Back-up ring: prevents O-ring extrusion under high pressure.
- Piston seal: keeps fluid from passing the piston itself.
- Rod wiper: scrapes dirt off the rod as it retracts.
Common service challenges and practical advice
When these seals age, you often see hydraulic fluid leaking around the bucket lift or curl (tilt) cylinder. This leads to sluggish movement, contamination, heat buildup—and eventually, productivity loss.
Owners of 175C loaders often opt for aftermarket seal kits when genuine OEM options are scarce. For example, kits from suppliers such as Baum Hydraulics (part number 679 327 C92) have proven reliable and cost-effective . A typical bore and rod dimension for these cylinders is 4.5 in bore with a 3 in rod .
One telltale remark from a seasoned owner: “Baum Hydraulics have quality seal kits at a reasonable price.” Many technicians have similarly had success sourcing kits directly from hydraulic shops rather than waiting for OEM stock .
Seal service process overview
Here’s a breakdown of the steps technicians typically follow when servicing a cylinder:
- Remove cylinder from loader (e.g. tilt cylinder).
- Disassemble it carefully—remove rod, locate seals.
- Lay out old parts for reference.
- Clean cylinder interior and rod thoroughly.
- Inspect rod for chrome wear or pitting—if severe, may require re-chroming or replacement.
- Install new seal kit:
- Start with back-up rings and O-rings in grooves.
- Place piston seal and wiper.
- Lubricate lightly with hydraulic fluid.
- Start with back-up rings and O-rings in grooves.
- Reassemble and torque fasteners to service-manual specifications.
- Test with low pressure, then gradually increase to operating pressure.
- Monitor for leaks and proper cylinder movement before full return to service.
Sales, production, and part supply context
While precise production figures for the 175C aren’t publicly listed, its reputation for longevity suggests several thousand units produced over the 1970s and 1980s. The DT-466 engine it carried became a staple in medium to heavy equipment.
Because International Harvester merged with Dresser and ceased loader production lines later, OEM support diminished. Yet the machine’s popularity prompted aftermarket vendors—like BrokenTractor.com and parts resellers—to stock seal kits, cylinder parts, and hoses. For example, BrokenTractor lists both bucket tilt and boom lift cylinder kits with clear specs and competitive prices . Also, TractorZone offers seal kits (e.g. part 906003) at prices around $104-$105, along with pistons and tubes for repair .
Anecdote from the shed
In a small Midwestern farm machinery repair shop, a technician named Carla was tasked with refurbishing a client’s 175C tilt cylinder. The rod had visible nick marks, and the seals were brittle. Carla ordered a Baum kit, swapped seals during a quiet weekend, and had the loader back in service by Monday. The owner was grateful—no downtime meant the harvest continued without interruption. Over lunch, Carla joked that, in her book, a good seal kit is like a band-aid on productivity—it holds everything in place until the job is done.
Maintenance tips and recommendations
To extend seal and cylinder life:
- Use clean hydraulic fluid and change filters per schedule (often every 500 hours).
- Drain and flush the system after seal replacement to avoid old debris.
- Replace hoses showing wear to avoid pressure spikes.
- Monitor cylinder temperature—overheating indicates internal friction or contamination.
- Keep spare kits on hand—availability can be limited due to age of machine.
Conclusion
In sum, maintaining the cylinder packing on the 175C loader revolves around understanding seal function, sourcing reliable aftermarket kits, and following solid service procedure. With correct bore (4.5 in) and rod (3 in) sizing, kits like those from Baum Hydraulics ensure restoration of hydraulic integrity. Thoughtful maintenance helps these decades-old machines continue contributing to work today—making them reminders of rugged engineering and dependable operation.
