Riteway Repair

03/17/2026

Lost Power to Your Tracks? Don't Ignore the Warning Signs.

Is your machine struggling to climb, pulling to one side, or losing drive power entirely? When your final drive or piston pump starts to fail, every hour you keep working is an hour closer to a catastrophic (and expensive) breakdown.

At Riteway, we don’t just swap motors and send a bill. Mike performs a deep-dive mechanical inspection to find out why your drive system is failing.

Common "Drive Killers" we fix:

Internal Pump Failure: Restoring pressure to your drive motors to bring back that "like-new" pushing power.

Neglected Filters: Did you know a clogged hydraulic return filter can cause excessive back-pressure and kill your drive? We catch these simple "maintenance misses" before they blow a seal.

Worn Drive Gears: Worn sprockets lead to accelerated track wear. We replace the gears and inspect your idlers and rollers to protect your new tracks.

We Service & Repair:
✅ Final Drive Assemblies
✅ Hydraulic Pumps & Valves
✅ Chains, Pulleys, & Bearings
✅ Track & Wheel Replacement

From skid steer track tensioning to heavy equipment hydraulic diagnostics, Mike ensures your machine’s power actually makes it to the ground.

If your equipment is underperforming, Mike can provide a technical assessment to determine the most cost-effective path to restoration.

Contact Mike at Riteway to schedule an inspection.

03/09/2026

Tired of Paying Dealer Prices for a Computer to "Guess" the Problem?

Most modern mechanics won't touch a machine without a laptop. They come out, charge you a massive "service fee," and read a code that says a sensor is bad. But here’s the secret: The sensor isn't always the problem.

A computer might tell you to replace a $1,500 joystick, but it can't see the short in the wire or the resurfacing needed on a cylinder.

Why Mike at Riteway is the "Dealer Alternative":

No Laptop Needed: Mike uses "old school" methods—listening for leaks, testing for binding, and identifying structural issues a computer will never see.

Repair vs. Replace: While big shops just "order the whole unit," Mike looks deeper. He can often refurbish parts and save units from the landfill, saving you thousands of dollars.

Zero Wait Times: Don't wait weeks for a John Deere or Bobcat tech to show up just to tell you they need to order parts.

Expertise on Older Iron: Mike specializes in the machines modern techs have forgotten—the ones without the fancy interfaces that still have years of work left in them.

If your machine is throwing codes (or doesn't even have a computer to talk to), Mike knows what that lapse in function really means.

Skip the dealership waitlist. Get moving fast—Call Mike at Riteway!

03/02/2026

Messy Wiring is a Fire Hazard—Is Your Machine Protected?

In the world of heavy equipment, "good enough" wiring is how machines end up in the scrap yard. Loose, hanging, or poorly routed wires don't just look bad—they are a ticking time bomb.

If wiring isn't installed neatly and secured correctly, it’s only a matter of time before it gets pulled out, pinched, or sheared completely off by moving parts. At Riteway, Mike treats wiring like an art form because neatness equals longevity.

Why Mike’s Wiring Repairs Are Different:

Fire Prevention: We identify and fix frayed cables and corroded connectors before they spark.

Smart Routing: We secure harnesses away from heat sources and moving joints to prevent "shearing."

Industrial Durability: We use high-grade protection that stands up to the vibration and grease of a working machine.

Don't let a "quick fix" turn into a total loss. Whether it's an industrial machine or a skid steer, get it wired the Riteway.

Call or Message Mike today to secure your equipment's electrical system!

02/23/2026

Is Your Hydraulic Cylinder "Leaking Money"?

When a hydraulic cylinder starts leaking, most shops give you one option: Buy a brand-new one. At today’s prices, that can easily set you back $1,000 to $3,000+ depending on the machine.

But here’s what the big dealers won't tell you: Most cylinders don’t need to be replaced; they need to be rescued.

The Riteway Difference:
If your cylinder has pitting, scoring, or scratches on the rod, new seals won't fix the leak for long—the rough surface will just shred the new rubber. Mike doesn't just "parts swap." He inspects the internal health of your equipment:

Precision Resurfacing: Mike can often smooth out those imperfections that cause seal failure.

Honing & Polishing: Restoring the finish so your seals actually do their job.

Expert Rebuilds: We save the heavy-duty, high-quality steel your machine was built with and make it run like new.

Why throw away a superior vintage part for a "good enough" modern replacement? Mike helps you beat planned obsolescence by keeping your original equipment in the field where it belongs.

Stop the leaks and save your budget. If they told you it's "unfixable," bring it to Mike at Riteway first.

Call Mike today for a hydraulic cylinder inspection!

02/18/2026

When a hydraulic cylinder starts leaking, most shops give you one option: Buy a brand-new one. At today’s prices, that can easily set you back $1,000 to $3,000+ depending on the machine.

But here’s what the big dealers won't tell you: Most cylinders don’t need to be replaced; they need to be rescued.

The Riteway Difference:
If your cylinder has pitting, scoring, or scratches on the rod, new seals won't fix the leak for long—the rough surface will just shred the new rubber. Mike doesn't just "parts swap." He inspects the internal health of your equipment:

Precision Resurfacing: Mike can often smooth out those imperfections that cause seal failure.

Honing & Polishing: Restoring the finish so your seals actually do their job.

Expert Rebuilds: We save the heavy-duty, high-quality steel your machine was built with and make it run like new.

Why throw away a superior vintage part for a "good enough" modern replacement? Mike helps you beat planned obsolescence by keeping your original equipment in the field where it belongs.

Stop the leaks and save your budget. If they told you it's "unfixable," bring it to Mike at Riteway first.

Call Mike today for a hydraulic cylinder inspection!

02/17/2026

02/17/2026

10% OFF Pre-Season Service: Get Your Gear "Riteway" Ready!

Don’t let a breakdown in July ruin your most productive month. The ground is thawing, and the busy season is right around the corner. Is your machine ready for the heat?

Beat the rush and Save 10% on your total service bill when you book your maintenance before March 31st! Mike will help you spot the "little things" now before they turn into $5,000 "big things" later.

The Ritual Maintenance Schedule:

500 Hours: Regular Machine Maintenance—Oil & Filter change.

1000 Hours: The Deep Dive—All the above + Hydraulic Fluid swap.

How to Redeem:
Message or call 361-655-9471 and mention code SPRINGSTEEL to lock in your 10% discount.

Offer valid through March 31st. Service varies by machine and necessity.

01/30/2026

Cessna Hydraulic Pump Repair-
This axial piston pump exhibited power loss and overheating. Teardown revealed worn internal rotating groups and damaged housing surfaces. We performed a full restoration to recover volumetric efficiency; technicians should refer to OEM exploded view diagrams for specific assembly torque and alignment specs.
Sluggish cylinder response and "chattering" led to this inspection. We found heavy grease and particulate contamination causing internal bypass. To prevent recurring seal failure, operators should consult ISO 4406 fluid cleanliness standards and implement stricter filtration intervals.
This unit could not maintain constant PSI, resulting in system "hunting." Our analysis identified scored piston heads and bore wear, creating internal fluid bypass. For help identifying similar issues, search for hydraulic pump cavitation damage tutorials to catch surface pitting before total failure.
Excessive noise and vibration (hydraulic hammer) indicated an interface failure. We found surface galling on the valve plate that prevented a consistent hydraulic seal. For resurfacing tolerances and lapping procedures.
Total system pressure loss was traced to the pilot logic circuit. We identified weakened relief springs and debris in the check ball seats. When troubleshooting erratic pressure, use standard hydraulic schematic symbols to trace and test the pilot-operated relief and bypass paths.
https://www.riteway.repair/repair-index

01/27/2026

Who would want a Riteway Repair Index: Troubleshooting & Technical Guides? We don't just want to repair your tools, we want your tools to last regardless. In an effort to keep old quality out of a land fill, we are creating a catalog of our old projects, the repairs and links to manuals. new to the catalog is this Litchfield Blade-Mor 707A. Here's some tips on keeping your old machines running like new.
Check for heavy grease and debris buildup on cylinders can trap heat and accelerate seal degradation. External surfaces must be degreased and inspected for housing cracks before servicing internal components.
Drift in the blade position typically suggests internal piston bypass within these specific hydraulic units.
High-density hose routing on the 707A makes cross-connection likely. Document all port locations and hose paths before removal to ensure correct blade lift and steering function during reassembly.
Fluid pooling on the valve block indicates a failure at the fitting or O-ring rather than the hose body. Pressurized leaks in this manifold area require immediate cleaning to isolate the exact port.
https://www.riteway.repair/repair-index

11/20/2023

Looking forward to winter this year in the shop.

02/20/2023

here lies a Gehl 553 that needed quite a bit and is now working better than ever. resealed both control valves, 3 cylinders, and replaced 3 control cables. also drained and cleaned fuel tank and hydraulic tank. a complete service was done and some tweeking on the engine.

12/28/2022

Out with the old and in with the new.