GC1723 loader bucket curl bleeding down

[smeash]

Hey all,
So ive got a 2019 GC1723 EB with 260hrs on her. A few weeks ago i noticed the bucket curl bleeding down while i was moving mulch. I cycled the loader full up and cycled the curl through its entire range a few times in order to bleed the system of any air trapped. It seemed to remedy, but a bit later it did it again, then stopped for the rest of the day. Now, It does it nearly everytime the tractor is started, and will intermittantly do it throughout the day. Im thinking it must be a stuck valve as there is no way i have a bad seal in both cylinders. Has anyone seen this before? It will leak down (curl) under just the weight of the bucket, and leaks down faster with a loaded bucket.
As most on the internet have said, these machines hydros do leak down, My backhoe, 3pt and loader lift cylinders will all slowly leak down, and have done it since new. Ive been told by numerous people that theirs do the same, but the bucket should not and has never leaked down on the curl function. Ideas? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[irvingj]

My 2310 will also leak down on the curl function. Although the curl will leak down before and more quickly than the bucket lift arms, it has never bothered while actually operating the FEL. Sounds like you may have a bit more of a leak.

 

[wdchyd]

One of the pistons seals is blown or worn and needs a repack, do both. MF uses junk 70duro orings for cylinder seal kits, do yourself a favor and have a local hyd shop match up PSC piston seals to fit, easy conversion.

 

[smeash]

One of the pistons seals is blown or worn and needs a repack, do both. MF uses junk 70duro orings for cylinder seal kits, do you self a favor and have a local hyd shop match up PSC piston seals to fit, easy conversion.

Thanks for the reply. The reason i dont think its a piston seal is because the problem is intermittant. I was thinking there was an adjustment on the joystick loader valve or something to that effect. I will certainly consider your suggestion though. Is there a way i can test and confirm your theory? Thanks!

 

[smeash]

My 2310 will also leak down on the curl function. Although the curl will leak down before and more quickly than the bucket lift arms, it has never bothered while actually operating the FEL. Sounds like you may have a bit more of a leak.

Thanks for the reply. Yes it is significant enough that it requires nearly constant curling function to keep the load in the bucket. However after some time it goes away. Really strange.

 

[wdchyd]

While it’s possible to be only an adjustment, an OEM oring piston seal used by MF will give you nothing but problems. I’ve seen it many times in my 44 years of hydraulic repair IMHO.

Actually had a pair come in off a MF with same trouble last week, owner wanted to bring in the FEL valve but the problem was the piston seals (orings) in his curl cyls.

 

[kenmbz]

Maybe a clogged filter or strainer for the hydro oil or some gunk in the system that goes away when hot? When was the last hydro oil change?

 

[cdaigle430]

Mine has done this intermittently since new. I never did bother with it nor do I plan to unless it gets in the way. I also have small leaks at the quick disconnect couplers-went back and forth on that from the dealer-kept telling me they were dirty and thats why they leaked. I eventually gave up but I always have some seepage and I think this is why I have bleeding on my curl cylinders.

 

[smeash]

While it’s possible to be only an adjustment, an OEM oring piston seal used by MF will give you nothing but problems. I’ve seen it many times in my 44 years of hydraulic repair IMHO.

Actually had a pair come in off a MF with same trouble last week, owner wanted to bring in the FEL valve but the problem was the piston seals (orings) in his curl cyls.

Ok well thank you! Im certainly not a mechanic. so my thinking was that both would have to be bad to have the bucker curl blled down.. is my thinking correct?

 

[smeash]

Maybe a clogged filter or strainer for the hydro oil or some gunk in the system that goes away when hot? When was the last hydro oil change?

I was thinking the same thing. Its been 200hrs since hydro change, Im about to do it again, but running Amsoil full synthetic fluid so was hoping to get longer life than 200 hrs!

 

[smeash]

Mine has done this intermittently since new. I never did bother with it nor do I plan to unless it gets in the way. I also have small leaks at the quick disconnect couplers-went back and forth on that from the dealer-kept telling me they were dirty and thats why they leaked. I eventually gave up but I always have some seepage and I think this is why I have bleeding on my curl cylinders.

Does your bucket require you to curl consistantly when loaded? I certainly dont want to call this normal, as its a PITA when moving heavy sand, grapple work or even mulch.

 

[cdaigle430]

Does your bucket require you to curl consistantly when loaded? I certainly dont want to call this normal, as its a PITA when moving heavy sand, grapple work or even mulch.

I would say when fully loaded I will lose about an inch every 5-10 minutes.

 

[Dmacleo]

friend had a circa 2006-7 GC (iirc was a 2400) with a bleed down.
noticed it back dragging loam/gravel, curl would suddenly release about an inch good for a bit happened again.
was something in valve body of joystick. had to rebuild the spool there iirc.
its opposite direction of yours but seems pretty much same symptoms.

 

[wdchyd]

Ok well thank you! Im certainly not a mechanic. so my thinking was that both would have to be bad to have the bucker curl blled down.. is my thinking correct?

No, they are both plumbed together, one bad cyl will make both creep out.

 

[wdchyd]

Bypass testing a hydraulic cylinder - YouTube

 

[WranglerX]

No, they are both plumbed together, one bad cyl will make both creep out.

Ditto...... Cylinders in parallel will try to equalize and both will respond like the deflective one....

Dale

 

[4570Man]

Ok well thank you! Im certainly not a mechanic. so my thinking was that both would have to be bad to have the bucker curl blled down.. is my thinking correct?

No despite what most people think FEL cylinders are plumbed in parallel and they both share the same fluid. A loss in one will make them both move. Also there’s no flow dividers in them. It’s fairly common for someone to post here about the cylinders getting out of sync. They aren’t in sync and rely on the loader frame to keep them in sync. If you’ve got a grapple you can leave it with the lids half open and easily open and close one lid by hand. The other lid will move opposite of the first one.

 

[smeash]

I would say when fully loaded I will lose about an inch every 5-10 minutes.

No mine will dump the load in under a minute if not adjusted. Hope yours isnt going to get worse in the future!

 

[smeash]

No despite what most people think FEL cylinders are plumbed in parallel and they both share the same fluid. A loss in one will make them both move. Also there痴 no flow dividers in them. It痴 fairly common for someone to post here about the cylinders getting out of sync. They aren稚 in sync and rely on the loader frame to keep them in sync. If you致e got a grapple you can leave it with the lids half open and easily open and close one lid by hand. The other lid will move opposite of the first one.

Ok, great information! Thanks for that! So in the event it is a cylinder, would i just remove them and take them to be rebuilt, or would they need me to take the whole machine in you think?

 

[smeash]

friend had a circa 2006-7 GC (iirc was a 2400) with a bleed down.
noticed it back dragging loam/gravel, curl would suddenly release about an inch good for a bit happened again.
was something in valve body of joystick. had to rebuild the spool there iirc.
its opposite direction of yours but seems pretty much same symptoms.

Thank you.. i was leaning this way to begin with due to the intermittant nature of the problem. However, im going to test the cylinders as described in the video prior to taking her in. On my boat, our hydraulic steering rams have been known to be loose and sloppy until the system warm, and the seals expand.. then it operates normally. Thanks for the input!