Hi Guys, I am trying to have replacement accumulators sent by air, with some difficulty.
Has anyone here ever has the same issue? If so what did you do to be able to send them, as they are classified as cylinders and therefore a prohibited item via air freight.
Any help would be much appreciated

My bus number (if any): RML2353, MB 306

If your new Accumulators are being shipped pressurised you are most certainly falling foul of the 'International Air Transport Association (IATA) dangerous goods Regulation'
All thought unlikely, the pressures involved being sent on a aircraft and any resulting failure it could be bye bye plane.

Were are you having these sent to? I don't know where you're base but is a land courier possible?
For further afield, companies like Parcel Force can do shipping by Sea-freight but this can easily take 90+ days.

My bus number (if any): RMF2771

Australia, that's why I haven't been back to you Sergio with a price yet!

Hand luggage maybe??

My bus number (if any): RML2532

I am in Sydney, the accumulators have been discharged, but because they are cylinders, are classed as dangerous goods. Looks like it will be sea freight!

My bus number (if any): RML2353, MB 306

Take the end cap off and the piston out, then they are not enclosed cylinders.

That's correct, as these can be dismantled, the cylinder becomes a tube and cannot be deemed a pressure vessel which would not be allowed air transport without certification. A lot of stuff gets airfreighted in what is known as CKD - Completely Knocked Down. Partly because it can be crated in a more confined space and also to remove the risk of deforming in pressurised aircraft.

They are though heavy so charges per kilo will be punitive.

Thanks Guys, but got them here by air freight!!

My bus number (if any): RML2353, MB 306

Excellent to hear. No issues? Did they take them fully assembled?

There are some reasonable deals for AF.

I've just sent out 8 metres of District Line 1960s Green and Red moquette to Tasmania for an old pal. He's had it in storage here for 45 years!!
Worked out at 4 pounds a kilo inc all the customs stuff. But it had to fit in a regulation container so it had to be very carefully and rather creatively folded!!

But I sent from Luxembourg as it was for no apparent reason cheaper than via Belgium, France, Germany or Holland or the UK. ND do give me a huge discount but for Europe and US only. That comes as a return on my salary but found it was cheaper to Tasmania by another carrier.

Good like with them and don't throw the old ones away. You never know who might come crawling out form under some stone with the means to refurbish them.

J N

In some ways I'm struggling with this business of there being a difficulty with accumulator overhaul/replacement. I do not have one in my hand as I write this so it is not verbatim from Lockheed .

The accumulator is a cylinder, with an external thread each end for a collar which holds in place an end cap at either end. The end cap for one end is threaded for the schrader valve and the other one for either a non return valve or a cut out valve. The cylinder contains a piston with seals.

An accumulator will be returned for overhaul if it is not holding either air pressure or hydraulic pressure. If it is not holding air pressure then the fault will be with the schrader valve, its seating in the end cap, or the sealing between the piston seals and the cylinder. All of these problems can be overcome relatively easily by an hydraulic specialist, if necessary by manufacturing a new cylinder or piston and renewing the seals.

If there is a failure to hold hydraulic pressure then the fluid may be leaking past the piston sealing, which again needs the same rectification.

Alternatively more seriously, there is a problem with the cut-out valve or the non return valve. It is the overhaul/renewal and subsequent testing of these valves which is the operation which requires specific knowledge, parts, and procedures.

We had to have our overhauled Accumulators discharged of Azote (Nitrogen) to be sent by road or air. Without the gas they are metal tubes!!

My bus number (if any): RTL 960, RMC 1458, RM 1585 and several RTs

Hi Jack;
yes they did, apparently it all depends on how you describe them! And the cost was very reasonable, about 120 pounds door to door. I have to send the old ones back to the UK on an exchange basis, my old ones will be overhauled and used by someone else, which keeps the spare parts in circulation!!

My bus number (if any): RML2353, MB 306, Leyland OPS1

My bus number (if any): RTL 960, RMC 1458, RM 1585 and several RTs