Leaving Implements Raised - Bad For Hydraulic System?

[WranglerX]

Thanks for the responses, and let me add a bit more detail!

Concur totally with the safety concerns when storing or parking the tractor end of day...my implements are always lowered, with no load on the hydraulics.

Yet going out on a limb, suggesting I'm not the only one to go down in history, who has ever had implements raised with the tractor off!

My situations are while working. I'm actively on and off the tractor dozens of times during the day.

Tasks, such as cutting trees or clearing slash create need to use the chainsaw, gather loose branches, hook up chains, etc. If it's expected to be more than 5-7 minutes of effort, I idle down and shut off the tractor.

I leave the box blade for rear ballast, up out of the way, rather than lowered to the ground during these short shut downs.

Same with the FEL, with the grapple normally closed for travel and maybe knee level above the ground.

The question is if anyone from the TBN Brain Trust is aware - conclusively (not conjecture) - whether shutting off a tractor while the hydraulics are loaded is verified to be any more adverse for hydraulic system components, compared to what they receive during standard duty cycles with the tractor operating.

I use stay/check chains on ballast when working with any needed rear ballast, it save leak down and inadvertently lowering ballast and dragging it around....

Always lower FEL to ground if going to be off tractor more than a minute or two...

Then there is the caution to put a support under FEL if going to do work under FEL, sort of like putting jack stand under car/truck when working under it ... What does that tell you....

Dale

 

[bearthebruce]

So this brings up another question. Do hydraulics eventually fail because of use or age?

From use, the cylinders will fail - likely the seals. Don't have any idea how long that may take.

Connections and hoses will likely fail with age. Oxidation eats away at everything. Nothing lasts forever. Again, no idea of how long...

I walk our machine every time I use it and look for leaks and points of wear. I grease the joints. Maintenance is an ongoing task.

 

[ovrszd]

My TLB is an '82 model. It looks like all of the cylinders have been apart. Pretty sure some of the hoses are original. Outer coating almost all gone. Spent most of it's life parked outside by appearances. Gets spoiled now in a Machine Shed.

Parking outside is very hard on equipment. Sunshine is a killer.

 

[bcp]

The hydraulic system is not actively holding the implements up. The valves and lines to the cylinders are holding an implement up. The rest of the tractor system does not know if the implements are up or down. No load is on the pump. etc.

Lowering the implement to the ground relieves the pressure between the valve and the cylinder, but makes no difference to the rest of the tractor.

Bruce

 

[ovrszd]

Plus removes the load from the chassis Bruce.

 

[MoKelly]

Goats are ***holes, I doubt it was an “accident”.

My gosh. I was drinking when I read this comment. Made a mess!

MoKelly

 

[bcp]

Plus removes the load from the chassis Bruce.

Yes. I was thinking only about the hydraulic system.

Bruce

 

[i7win7]

If you lower everything and you check hydro fluid before starting tractor, it helps identifying slow leaks you might not notice while operating equipment. Some leaks only leak under pressure.

 

[Gregster613]

I agree with the question ovrsd asked; I don't know for sure the reason why - but my loader valve failed after 10 years of usage. The curl/dump circuit started to seize up and no mater what I tried it only got fixed after I replaced it. As to the OP question, I always leave my implements lowered. Mostly just for safety sake though. As to a strain on the system - I don't have any answer for that.

 

[/pine]

Not sure about other brands and models but some skid steers are meant to be left with the buckets/boom fully raised...there is a locking mechanism for safety...but they look weird parked that way...

difficult to get in and out of with the boom down...