2520 loader, valve body cracked?

[lukej88]

Hey guys. last weekend I tried out my new Marcham grapple on the 2520, it worked awesome until I started to see hydro fluid leaking all over the ground.

I tore the thing apart thinking it would be a line leaking. Unfortunatly it wasnt a line it was the loader valve. After inspecting closer I found the valve had a hairline fracture in it causing the fluid to leak all over.

I called my dealer and he said it wouldnt be covered under warranty! That sucks because the cost of the new valve is $1350....no your eyes are not failing that is the number he told me. I asked if I could buy just the valve body and he said it comes as a complete assembly, which I dont need.

So to my questions, has anyone else had or have seen this valve body fail like this?

Does anyone know of another source for this valve other than JD?

I have a friend who is very good at braising, I am going to have him look at it to see if he can work some magic on it.

My tractor only has 180 hours on it still under warranty. I never would have guessed in my wildest dreams that I would have somthing like this happen on a like new machine.

Thanks for any ideas or help!

 

[kennyd]

Welcome to TBN

The very first thing you need to do is to find another dealer. Did he at least try to explain WHY he thinks it's not covered? That should be covered 100% under warranty. That is a VERY unusual problem, I have never heard of that before on a JD machine.

 

[lukej88]

Welcome to TBN

The very first thing you need to do is to find another dealer. Did he at least try to explain WHY he thinks it's not covered? That should be covered 100% under warranty. That is a VERY unusual problem, I have never heard of that before on a JD machine.

He said that it wasnt covered since that wasnt a powertrain item. Which I seemed to disagree. I will call around tommorow to some different dealerships, only problem it the 3 closeset dealers to me are owened by the same company. I Thanks for the reply Kenny!

 

[kennyd]

He said that it wasnt covered since that wasnt a powertrain item. Which I seemed to disagree. I will call around tommorow to some different dealerships, only problem it the 3 closeset dealers to me are owened by the same company. I Thanks for the reply Kenny!

That is a load of crap. the "powertrain" is still under warranty anyway. Demand he call a regional service representative. Make some noise-you are correct in this case.

 

[lukej88]

That is a load of crap. the "powertrain" is still under warranty anyway. Demand he call a regional service representative. Make some noise-you are correct in this case.

I will put the heat on them tommorow, and call a couple other dealers to see what they say. If I dont get the answers I am looking for I will have to get loud. I am glad that you are saying that it should be covered, because I was not 100% sure. Thanks, I will let you know what they say.

 

[Dutch445]

Sorry to hear about the problem you have with
that tractor, as Kenny said I don't think it's a common
failure.
How have you plumbed the grapple into the 2520?

 

[lukej88]

Sorry to hear about the problem you have with
that tractor, as Kenny said I don't think it's a common
failure.
How have you plumbed the grapple into the 2520?

I plumbed my lines from the block that sits between the loader control valve and the hydro. I ran it up to a 3 spool valve and then lines up to the front from there.

 

[kennyd]

I plumbed my lines from the block that sits between the loader control valve and the hydro. I ran it up to a 3 spool valve and then lines up to the front from there.

A lot of people (including myself) have added valves that way....

 

[J_J]

If the valve was working before you installed the grapple, then about the only thing that could burst a valve open, is a dead headed situation. There is a 50/50 chance that it is a manufacture defect. I hope you get some success in getting a free replacement. If not, then try one of the $299 joystick valves from Surplus Hyd.

It is to late to put a gage on it and check the relief valve. Maybe it got stuck and failed to operate.

 

[Rogator]

Is there any way the two bolts that hold the valve and block to the trans or the one banjo bolt that has to be removed were over tightened when you put it back together causing the valve to crack?

 

[lukej88]

Is there any way the two bolts that hold the valve and block to the trans or the one banjo bolt that has to be removed were over tightened when you put it back together causing the valve to crack?

Anything is possible, but that seems like a long shot because it is bolting to a matched surface that is flush mounted. There is an o-ring between the block and valve, but the two sit flush when bolted together.

I have been running the tractor with the the new 3 spool valve for 3 months with no issues. And now all of the sudden I put the grapple on and the valve goes. That really doesnt add up in my mind, but I am no hydraulic guru.

I spoke to some different dealers and they all told me that it wouldnt fall under warranty because that is considerd part of the hydaulics system and not the power train. I did finally talk to another dealer today and he said he might be able to make something happen, I will know more tommorow morning, crossing my fingers!

I just want to know what made it fail, so that it doesnt happen on the next one!

 

[mmurphy]

I am wondering if a plug was installed in the wrong place causing relief valve not to be able to drain when pressure got to high.

 

[Gizmo2]

If all the fluid leaks out would the tractor move? Powertrain!

 

[lukej88]

If all the fluid leaks out would the tractor move? Powertrain!

My thoughts exactly, if you dont have that valve on the tractor, it is useless, you cant run the tractor without the valve!