BX2200 loader question

rwl · Apr 21, 2003

I have a question regarding the FEL on a BX2200. I have had mine for 115 hours. Mostly loader work on the new yard, no grass to cut yet.

The question is since I've owned it it has acted strange at times, no curl once in a while, that has since gone away, now the biggest problem is that frequently, especially after dumping, the loader bucket will just swing free. If you try to use it to backblade it flops along the ground like it is in a "float" position, which I know does not exist. You can get off of the tractor and lift up on the bucket, and the dump/curl ram will collapse. It does not ever dump, or loose its position downward, just that it will "curl" up. There is definately no fluid on that side of the cylinder.

The dealer told me he thought that it was normal because of the small GPM pump and that it couldn't fill as fast as it dumped, especially at lower rpm. Mine does it at any rpm. To get it back to normal you need to hold the joystick in the dump position for a few seconds, or cycle dump curl once or twice.

So, do any bx'ers have any of these symptoms, or is mine broke?

Thanks,

jrlichina · Apr 21, 2003

Do you have the 4-way valve for your loader? In other words do you have a detent position when you push the lever hard to the right? That is the quick dump position on a 4-way valve which makes the bucket dump "floppy"

rwl · Apr 21, 2003

I do have the 4 way valve. Could that be it? Maybe sometimes I move the lever all the way and sometimes not. I am not leaving it in the detent position I'm sure. What is the detent position for exactly when using front mount options? I just never found a common cause, I'll pay more attention. I would like to think that is all it is, Thanks, the dealer couldn't even tell me that.

marknh000 · Apr 21, 2003

The loader on my BX22 does the same thing you've described, and I have the three-way valve. I could be wrong, but I don't think it was this way when I first got it.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 21, 2003

I only have 28 hours on my BX2200 but 25 of the 28 hours has been operating the FEL. About half moving snow and half moving dirt and mulch. I have not seen the the problem that you described.

BubbaJr · Apr 21, 2003

I had similar problems with my B2910. It acted like it had air in the loader cylinders. On my tractor you turn the steering wheel hard left, then hard right holding it at the stops for a couple seconds, and this will bleed the air out of the system. After I did that, my loader worked much better, with less slop in the cylinders and faster response time.

sandyc · Apr 21, 2003

I have the LA211 FEL on my 2200 and the only strange action is when it is extremely cold. There is water in the valve. Maybe you have the same thing.....does it happen in the warm weather.
Have you tried lubing the joy stick to make sure it is not sticking in the detent position?

Anonymous Poster · Apr 21, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you try to use it to backblade it flops along the ground like it is in a "float" position, which I know does not exist. )</font>

Your BX FEL does, in fact, have a "float" position. Drop it all the way and move the lever to the extreme. You'll feel a little "click" and then the bucket will float on the ground. I use it all the time for moving snow...without damaging the drive.

Steven · Apr 21, 2003

The indent on the 4 way valve is in the "right" direction, this is for quick dump it opens the valve so oil goes from one side of cylinder to the other. under no hydraulic pressure. the bucket will stay free able to swing until you curl it back up some and then back down. do not push all the way to the right or it ends up in the quick dump position agian. It seems that you may be pushing it into this position without realy knowing it. the free float is in the up position and it will lock into place, this lets the bucket float over the ground and should not effect the bucket curl.

EBS · Apr 22, 2003

Be sure that you don't have the 3 PH lever pinned in a "raise" postion, even slightly. If you do and the lift arms are in the maximum raised postion, then hydraulic control will still be priortized to the 3 PH and this will interfere with FEL bucket dump/curl function. If this is the case, you should be able to hear fluid bypassing through the pressure relief valve (high pitched hiss). Not good.

rwl · Apr 22, 2003

I know it does have the float position for the loader. I meant there isn't meant to be a float position which would cause the "floppy" bucket. I will be using it tonight for another 18 yards of crushed gravel for a paver project. I moved 12 tons of fieldstone, probably three times that of topsoil, plus all of the mulch ans snow. It works ok but the "floppy" bucket thing seems to be getting more frequent.

rwl · Apr 23, 2003

I moved the 18 yards of crusher dust last night and paid particular attention to the loader. The bucket will go into the "floppy mode" even when the lever is not moved into the detent on the right. Actually it is quite noticeable when you do go into the detent, the level pops in with fair resistance. It is still somewhat annoying and I wish I knew if it was normal. Anyone else have any ideas or info if theirs does it also? It sounds like some of yours do it, but I can't remember when it started doing it.

jrlichina · Apr 23, 2003

Mine has never operated like you describe, if it's still under warranty I'd take it in.

JimMorrissey · Apr 23, 2003

RWL,

Bring it back to the dealer. There has to be something wrong with the 4-way valve or the hydraulic lines. Let them figure it out. Mine does not perform that way. -Sounds to me like your dealer is trying to avoid the situation. I'd just show up, drop it off and pick it up when she's fixed (providing it is still under warranty).

-Jim

Steve_S · Apr 24, 2003

Exactly, I've had that happen to me a couple of times till I learned what was causing it. The 3PH lever will give you a bunch of headaches if you're not aware of it.

As for the 4-way valve. Is this something new? Post 2001 models that is? I'm sure mine is only a 3-way. I'm dissapointed, I want the 4-way! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

rwl · Apr 24, 2003

Its been in three times, they said they couldn't get it to do it until the last time, now they blamed it on low hydraulic flow at low rpm. It happens at WOT or low rpm. They are the only local dealer. I left it there a total of ~3 weeks.

I am aware of the 3 point lever, that is one thing they did fix, the self centering of the lever. What next?

Steven · Apr 24, 2003

If you have the 4 way valve you will feel a spot when pushing to the right it requires just a little more force to move the rest of the way to its stop point. It also is mentioned the loader manual.