300 CX bucket curl drops like a rock

[Deere Dude]

2010 3720 with 300 CX with 400 hours on it.
Historically the bucket lip dropped very slightly until a week or so ago. Now with the bucket and especially with the forks on, the curl will drop all the way down in just a matter of seconds. I can lift a decent load, but within 2 seconds as I take my hand off the joystick, the load will be aimed down at a 45 deg. angle until the ground stops it. I am going to rebuild the cylinders and am assuming that 1 or both are bad. I plan on taking the cross pipe off to see what happens with the cylinders separately first. That is the plan anyway.

I don't have a pressure gauge or an assortment of fittings for the cylinders.

Did anyone ever replace the seals to where I could get some tidbits of advice from you other that to replace the $600 cylinders or take it to a dealer.

I do not have a technical manual for that loader. I tried finding a u-tube video on that but they are pretty generic.

Any help would be very appreciated.

Chuck

 

[arlen4720]

2010 3720 with 300 CX with 400 hours on it.
Historically the bucket lip dropped very slightly until a week or so ago. Now with the bucket and especially with the forks on, the curl will drop all the way down in just a matter of seconds. I can lift a decent load, but within 2 seconds as I take my hand off the joystick, the load will be aimed down at a 45 deg. angle until the ground stops it. I am going to rebuild the cylinders and am assuming that 1 or both are bad. I plan on taking the cross pipe off to see what happens with the cylinders separately first. That is the plan anyway.

I don't have a pressure gauge or an assortment of fittings for the cylinders.

Did anyone ever replace the seals to where I could get some tidbits of advice from you other that to replace the $600 cylinders or take it to a dealer.

I do not have a technical manual for that loader. I tried finding a u-tube video on that but they are pretty generic.

Any help would be very appreciated.

Chuck

You might get more specific help over on Green Tractor Talk

 

[J_J]

You say the curl cyl drop like a rock?

Do you know if the curl spool is centered in the valve?

There are centering springs in the valve to center the spool so there is no fluid flow when the valve lever is in neutral.

The springs might be damaged or rust build up, or some other debris.

Then again, the cyl piston seals might be leaking.

When you do a full retract or extend, does the relief come on?

Have you tried shifting the lift hose with the curl hose.

I believe I would test some things before I tore into something that is working like it should.