Bucket not curling.

[pmmully]

Hi all,

We had a cylinder leaking so we thought the fluid was doing a bypass, but we got it rebuilt and the bucket is still not curling. It does up and down fine. I imagine it is in the valve body. The linkage was checked. I do not have a pressure gauge but I am thinking I need one. Ideas?

 

[BeezFun]

Switch the hoses on the loader valve and see if the problem follows the valve or the cylinder.

 

[Dave M7040]

Suspect any quick couplers in the system. Open and re seat.

BeezFun advice is good.

Dave M040

 

[pmmully]

No progress by the locals so I am heading up this week. Meaning they did not take @beezfun advice which I sent... LAME.

No quick couplers on the loader, I suspect due to vintage or that it is a TLB, and by design, the construction-grade has no quick disconnects on the loader. But, it may have a self-leveling valve. I have heard that value was problematic on the L48. I will bypass it versus getting a new or rebuilt one if that is the case.

The (used tractor) dealer is claiming that the cylinder job they subbed out may be the issue. It was leaking on the wiper. He is claiming that if they did not rebuild it right, that it could cause this problem. I now have the service manual and learning to read/write hydraulic. My take is the cylinder looks like any other internally, but then again, I am learning. My gut is telling me it's in the valve, malfunctioning spool, etc., but then again I am a rookie.

Would it be possible for this thing to be stuck in float mode?

 

[Henro]

"Would it be possible for this thing to be stuck in float mode? "

Float mode is in the lift/lower circuit. Should not affect the curl function, so that is probably not the issue, in my estimation anyway...

 

[jmc]

There is at least one TBN thread about Kubota loader valves freezing up and becoming sluggish or worse. IIRC, there are two cylindrical appendages hanging down from the valve's cast iron body. Condensation collects at those low spots and freezes. Seems like Kubota redesigned them with drain holes and some TBN owners drilled their own. I replaced mine and it's been fine for years until yesterday, when the uncurl was sluggish. It loosened up after running for awhile. If your tractor is below freezing, it might be worth warming those appendages up gently and see what happens.

Here is one thread on freezing. Turns out the condensation may also have rusted some components in there:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ing/127095-loader-float-freeze-up-winter.html

 

[BeezFun]

Float mode is in the lift/lower circuit. Should not affect the curl function, so that is probably not the issue, in my estimation anyway...

There is a float in the curl function, if you push your lever past the dump position you should feel it snap into a detent that makes it float. Mine stopped working after the bottom cap on the valve filled up with rust and ice, after I cleaned it out and put in a drain hole it started working again.

 

[pmmully]

Switching hoses, etc, no so easy on this TLB, the value is covered by a box that makes access not so easy. Progress continues. The dealer has become unresponsive to the warranty. claim. Not a kubota dealer to be clear. I hate it when people do not do what they say, or put in writing. What a hassle.

 

[Henro]

There is a float in the curl function, if you push your lever past the dump position you should feel it snap into a detent that makes it float. Mine stopped working after the bottom cap on the valve filled up with rust and ice, after I cleaned it out and put in a drain hole it started working again.

I will have to try that. I know the dump function has a regen mode, to make dumping quicker, but never heard float mentioned for the dump mode, so never considered the possibility it could be there. Also can’t see how it would be useful, but if it is there, there must be a reason.

 

[SouthernSky]

Slightly off topic, but my L3200 bucket rolls real slow, unlike my L2650 which seems twice as quick. Is there any way to speed up bucket curl without revving the engine? I can adjust my PTO but not sure if the is a way to speed up a loader.