Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift?

   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift? #1  

jmfox

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Nov 17, 2006
Messages
776
I seem to be able to push open the clam of my 4-in-1 when backing up and leveling. Could this be air in the hydraulics, and what is the best way to purge it?

jmf
 
   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift? #2  
Cycle your hydraulics all the way in and out a few times and you will be set and if that doesn't work you have a different type of problem
 
   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift?
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Do you mean all hydraulics or just the action that drifts? I suppose the cylinder can be leaking internally (even on new equipment) but what else would cause this?

jmf
 
   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift? #4  
Your hydraulic preasure is in the thousands of pounds. It's also moving through your system all the time to some degree. Air in your system is pretty common when you replace or work on it, but otherwise, it's probably impossible for air to get in there. Too much preasure. When it does happen after repairs, you just do as Jimi mentioned, and it goes through the system until it's gone.

I think you are saying that your 4 in 1 bucket is opening by itself while you are back dragging your bucket? If so, then you don't have air in your system, you have something else wrong. My guess is your seals are no longer working on the pistons in your cylinders. Does the 4 in 1 bucket have allot of power when you close it on something? It will probably still work with bad seals, but not with allot of force.

Will it stay open when you park the tractor and turn the engine off? Will it stay open with the tractor running at idle?

Since you just mentioned the 4 in 1 bucket, that's where I'd focus my attention. But I'd also lift the loader and see if it stays up on it's own at idle and with the engine off. If it does, that confirms it's the piston seals in your 4 in 1 bucket.

Eddie
 
   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
The 4-in-1 clam does not stay tight. Would this mean that both cylinders (two on either side) have seal problems? It would seem that if either cylinder was working properly it would stay tight. I was told by the dealer that because the cylinders are dual action that this is to be expected and I should hold my finger on the shut button to keep it closed while back dragging.

jmf
 
Last edited:
   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift? #6  
That does seem odd that they both do it. Makes me wonder if there's something out of adjustment, but I don't have a clue what it could be. My only experience with a 4 in 1 bucket is on my neighbors brand new, full sized Loader/Backhoe.

I do question your dealers advice, and if it was me, I'd call the factory, or a different dealer. That just doesn't sound right.

What happens when you leave it open with the engine turned off?

What about when the engine is idleing?

Was it used or new when you bought it? My second thought is that it was abused and damaged to both cylinders. Probably pulled open, or slammed shut so hard that it blew out both seals on both cylinders at the same time. Since your dealer is giving you bad advice, I also wonder if he knows the truth and is trying to mislead you?????

Sorry, wish I could be more help.
Eddie
 
   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift? #7  
jmfox said:
The 4-in-1 clam does not stay tight. Would this mean that both cylinders (two on either side) have seal problems? It would seem that if either cylinder was working properly it would stay tight. I was told by the dealer that because the cylinders are dual action that this is to be expected and I should hold my finger on the shut button to keep it closed while back dragging.

jmf

You may also want to check the valve. I don't know about the 4-1 (other then I want one) but on my old B7100 I was able to greatly reduce the FEL bleed down by cleaning up the valve and making sure that it really centers. If the leak is in the valve (one location) it might explain why your seeing bleed down in 4 cylinders
 
   / Can air in the hydraulics cause cylinder drift?
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Checking the valve is a little harder when it comes to Joy stick systems. As I think about a central source of the problem I do recall that I need to check the curl every once in awhile when I am traveling with a bucket full. The reason I started this thread suggesting an air problem is because it appeared that any hydraulic under a load showed some degradation, as if the fluid was compressing.

jmf
 

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