Control valve?

Bob Rooks · Jun 28, 2021

piper184 said:
Does it leak down at the same rate with the engine off as it does with the engine running? (not sure why this would matter but it might be a clue)

With the engine running there is a constant supply of oil to the control valve (this is an open center system) and you would not be able to detect any leak-back from a bad or maladjusted spool. Since answering my question about regen has been ignored, I'll just assume that function is not present in the control valve.
Onward.

TSMART · Jun 28, 2021

The truth is I dont know what regen means. Thanks for trying to help me.

TSMART · Jun 28, 2021

TSMART said:
The truth is I dont know what regen means. Thanks for trying to help me.

My control valve only 2 axis. Up down dump retract.

piper184 · Jun 28, 2021

The knob under the seat only controls how fast the 3 point lowers. The 3 point is a single acting cylinder that is powered after the loader and after the power steering. The pressure relief valve for the steering and 3 point is in the 2 point control valve. Your loader control valve may or may not have it's own pressure relief valve.

I don't know the capacity of your loader but it is probably 600# plus. Can your loader lift a load that is close to it's capacity?

It is beginning to sound like a control valve issue. To properly troubleshoot we would need to know make and model of the valve itself.There may be internal adjustments that can be made.

Personally I would do the hose swap test first to try and isolate the problem further. Then perhaps take the control valve apart and see if there is anything obvious. Since this started sudenly, you might find a broken spring or cracked housing or something. Having a parts manual for the valve would be very helpful.

Bob Rooks · Jun 28, 2021

TSMART said:
My control valve only 2 axis. Up down dump retract.

To simplify: Regen is short for regenerate. It would be a position beyond a detent in your "dump" position. You would have to exert a little extra force to overcome it (you may have it and not know it). What it does basically is to open the circuit between the ram piston sides, thus creating a loop so the oil passes freely form one side of the piston to the other. The bucket will literally fall open because there is no return to the reservoir through the valve.

I used this valve when I re-plumbed my tractor loader. It has float, regen, and power beyond features.

Amazon.com: Brand Hydraulic Loader Directional Control Valve LV22RFSTKAB Joystick

www.amazon.com

TSMART · Jun 28, 2021

Update. Had my tractor mech drop by. He was concerned about the pump as I had to add one gallon fluid to top off. Bucket hoses are like cement. Very super hard and brittle..no flexibility at all. They are original equip 2004. He felt that most likely a piece of rubber broke off inside the hose and went to the control valve. So now I'm looking at control valve or rebuild kit for Koyker 160 loader. For now I chained the bucket in place so I could at least use box blade. My two mains lift the bucket but very slowly even at cruise rpms. Hope to hell that's it and not the pump too.

TSMART · Jun 29, 2021

So today I changed hydraulic filter. No help. Shortly after I was using the box blade. Discovered a huge leak in my other main lift cylinder. ( opposite side rebuilt a month ago. Can an internal leak turn into an external leak and do you think that cyl is going to be the root of my problem. Also, on the Koyker 160 does $400 sound about right for repack/rebuild. Thanks.

Bob Rooks · Jun 29, 2021

TSMART said:
So today I changed hydraulic filter. No help. Shortly after I was using the box blade. Discovered a huge leak in my other main lift cylinder. ( opposite side rebuilt a month ago. Can an internal leak turn into an external leak and do you think that cyl is going to be the root of my problem. Also, on the Koyker 160 does $400 sound about right for repack/rebuild. Thanks.

I think $400 is a little steep for re-sealing one cylinder. They aren't that big, and hopefully you'll get the urethane cup seals.
An internal leak will not cause an external leak unless there is extreme over-pressure - likely you'll blow a hose first.
If you have a compound joystick with debris in it, it could be the cause of your problems (you may have some or none of these functions). Some regular joystick valves will work with the red arrows also.