Hydraulic issues; ditch bank flail

[mwark]

This weekend I put together my new ditch bank flail mower. DB Flail
I'm having an issue with the hydraulics "fading". The tip of the cutter, furthest from the tractor, is constantly dropping. After only an hour of cutting it's clear that this condition is not going to be acceptable.

Any ideas? Maybe a defective cylinder?

Thanks!

 

[TMGT]

Do you mean the tilt function? Unless you have a lock valve on the cylinder, you will get some leakdown.

How are you using your mower?
I run my ditch bank with the tilt in float most of the time so it will follow the contour of the ground.
If I have to hold it at a certain position, I will need to make small adjustments from time to time.

 

[mwark]

This control will move the flail from +90 degrees to- 50. I’m finding that every 90 seconds or so I need to adjust. Even on level ground I have tweak it constantly.

 

[LouNY]

Mine has a "lock" or pilot operated check valve on the tilt cylinder.

In the close up picture you can see the lock valve, also where the lower pin (the rod end) goes to the deck there is a slot unless I'm carrying the deck I try to keep that pin centered in the slot.

 

[TMGT]

This control will move the flail from +90 degrees to- 50. I’m finding that every 90 seconds or so I need to adjust. Even on level ground I have tweak it constantly.

That's common due to the leverage on the cylinder, unless you have a lock valve.

Are you running it vertical? If you're just using it like a normal mower, it should ride on the roller and the front supported by the 3pt. I run my valve in float.

 

[Tinhack]

Yep, that cutter is for use with a float capable valve and ride on the roller. Without the lock valve, they tend to droop. I have the BCRM-155 similar to the green one above.

 

[LouNY]

Just a quick add if your cylinder has the lock valve, float on the remote will not work. You would need to trim it to keep the pin roughly centered in the slot.