Problem with curl in FEL

Streetcar · Sep 14, 2015

After changing fluid I am having problem with the FEL.
When dumping load ,the curl will intermittent stop. It is always happens in the same spot in dump cycle.3/4 extended
Where do I start to troubleshoot?

Rock knocker · Sep 14, 2015

Fluid level OK?

Wa11banger · Sep 14, 2015

wear? slack pins or bushings where once you pass a certain point it falls a little and takes a minute to catch back up to the slack? My large backhoe is like this exactly it looks like it is pausing for a second but the cylinder is actually tightening (catching back up to) everything once it past center point

As Rock Knocker suggested is the fluid level still ok.. if you just changed fluids cycle all cylinders to their fullest 5-10 times let it all cool down and check fluid level again.. You may be slightly low and at that point its purges a little air not sure on this one but its a good cheap easy thing to rule out

Type of fluid.. did you replace it with exactly what was in there? I had to go back to 303 instead of AW32 as previously suggested. I couldn't begin to tell you the difference between those two types but 303 keeps my FEL running quick and smooth and aw32 did not.. Could also be related to seal wear etc but its my experience YMMV

George2615 · Sep 14, 2015

Having just changed fluids you probably still have some air in the system. Need to fully raise and lower loader and cycle curl several times to work the air out then check fluid level and top off.

dfkrug · Sep 14, 2015

Streetcar said:
After changing fluid I am having problem with the FEL.
When dumping load ,the curl will intermittent stop. It is always happens in the same
spot in dump cycle.3/4 extended

Do you have the 420 loader? It uses dump cyls with only 25mm rods, and they are
easy to bend. You may have a bent rod.

Also, are you on Regen when you dump?

Rock knocker · Sep 14, 2015

I don't think a 870 has any sort of regen

Streetcar · Sep 14, 2015

Thanks for the ideas. I will fully extend FEL a couple times and check fluid level
No regen on tractor, 20 years old
I used fluid that john Deere dealer sold me

Leejohn · Sep 14, 2015

Wa11banger said:
wear? slack pins or bushings where once you pass a certain point it falls a little and takes a minute to catch back up to the slack? My large backhoe is like this exactly it looks like it is pausing for a second but the cylinder is actually tightening (catching back up to) everything once it past center point

As Rock Knocker suggested is the fluid level still ok.. if you just changed fluids cycle all cylinders to their fullest 5-10 times let it all cool down and check fluid level again.. You may be slightly low and at that point its purges a little air not sure on this one but its a good cheap easy thing to rule out

Type of fluid.. did you replace it with exactly what was in there? I had to go back to 303 instead of AW32 as previously suggested. I couldn't begin to tell you the difference between those two types but 303 keeps my FEL running quick and smooth and aw32 did not.. Could also be related to seal wear etc but its my experience YMMV

This tell you alittle about 303 and aw32.
http://hollonoil.com/PDF/Getting to know Hydraulic Fluids.pdf