Can you overfill hydraulic fluid on a GC1723

[PJRAM]

Update on my leaky GC1723 backhoe hydraulic coupler. After I fixed the leaky coupler, I drained off a little hydraulic fluid until the sight glass showed a line about halfway up the glass. I then slowly added a little more fluid until the line in the sight glass was just about at the top. The backhoe worked for a short time and then suddenly just stopped working. I only have 25 hours on this machine so I called my dealer and they advised me to disconnect the lines to the backhoe, bleed them and reconnect them. The backhoe still did not work. I let it sit for a few hours and then I was able to get the backhoe and outriggers off the ground and put in a service call. The dealer came and changed the hydraulic coupler to the backhoe. The one with the red tie wrap on it. The backhoe then worked for about an hour and a half and then suddenly stopped working again. The mechanic is coming back today to change all the couplers on the backhoe. I have a feeling there is some other issue going on here. Is there an automatic shutoff on the hydraulic systems on these machines? My FEL is not affected at all when the backhoe stops working. It's just the backhoe and outriggers that stop working.

 

[Dmacleo]

sounds like return line (the blue/yellow to blue line) issue. that would be my guess from a ways away.

btw if you ever take to dealer for warranty/service with backhoe removed and those 2 not connected they can give you bunch of crap. even if only run literally 90 seconds.
we had that circuit blowing fluid due to crack in hose so I pulled backhoe off. topped off fluid, ran 30 seconds loading onto trailer. ran 30 seconds offloading at dealer, they ran 30 seconds pulling into shop.
they tried giving us crap.
I lit into everyone asking why I would risk losing a gallon of fluid in 90 seconds (it was that bad) to satisfy their stupidity. suddenly they agreed.

 

[orangetree]

I put red dye in mine.

Yep, if you are going down hill don't be surprised if you look at the glass and see no fluid. That got me once, actually scared me that there was a problem until I figured out what was going on.

Thats a great idea - is there an easy to obtain dye that is known completely benign for the system?

 

[hube2]

Amazon.com: Color Coding Dye, Red, 4 oz. : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy Color Coding Dye, Red, 4 oz.: Welding Equipment & Accessories - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This is the dye that I use. I did some research on it and it is a petroleum product according to the MSDS: Grainger SDS Lookup

I only needed to use a few drops, I think is was 10 but I don't remember the exact amount, makes the fluid pink just enough to see it clearly.

It does not come in the bottle shown, no measuring, but then I couldn't imaging using 1/4 ounce of this stuff at a time. Like I said, it only takes a few drops. One bottle will last me my entire life and still have most of it left.

 

[PJRAM]

sounds like return line (the blue/yellow to blue line) issue. that would be my guess from a ways away.

btw if you ever take to dealer for warranty/service with backhoe removed and those 2 not connected they can give you bunch of crap. even if only run literally 90 seconds.
we had that circuit blowing fluid due to crack in hose so I pulled backhoe off. topped off fluid, ran 30 seconds loading onto trailer. ran 30 seconds offloading at dealer, they ran 30 seconds pulling into shop.
they tried giving us crap.
I lit into everyone asking why I would risk losing a gallon of fluid in 90 seconds (it was that bad) to satisfy their stupidity. suddenly they agreed.

The mechanic just changed all the hydraulic connectors to the backhoe. Backhoe worked for about 10 minutes and stopped again. Next we took the entire backhoe valve block out and took the pressure relief valve apart. It apparently is defective. It hangs up and gets stuck inside the valve body. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The dealer said they are going to either replace the entire valve assembly or give me a completely new replacement backhoe. Very frustrating on a machine with only 25 hours on it, but at least they are making good on the problem.

 

[Dmacleo]

The mechanic just changed all the hydraulic connectors to the backhoe. Backhoe worked for about 10 minutes and stopped again. Next we took the entire backhoe valve block out and took the pressure relief valve apart. It apparently is defective. It hangs up and gets stuck inside the valve body. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The dealer said they are going to either replace the entire valve assembly or give me a completely new replacement backhoe. Very frustrating on a machine with only 25 hours on it, but at least they are making good on the problem.

good its being fixed I'd go for a whole new backhoe. reset warranty on it.

 

[orangetree]

Amazon.com: Color Coding Dye, Red, 4 oz. : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy Color Coding Dye, Red, 4 oz.: Welding Equipment & Accessories - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This is the dye that I use. I did some research on it and it is a petroleum product according to the MSDS: Grainger SDS Lookup

I only needed to use a few drops, I think is was 10 but I don't remember the exact amount, makes the fluid pink just enough to see it clearly.

It does not come in the bottle shown, no measuring, but then I couldn't imaging using 1/4 ounce of this stuff at a time. Like I said, it only takes a few drops. One bottle will last me my entire life and still have most of it left.

Thanks. For reference here's the product link, kingscote Bright Dyes 506250-R4 4oz https://www.grainger.com/product/45H150

I was not able to find a mfg product page for that listing uses. However, i did find this mcmaster product (cheaper per oz, but only sold in 16oz) McMaster-Carr

This is AUTOMATE™ Red IK HF Liquid Dye , by Dow. And per that mfg page it is intended "For the coloration of lubricants, such as automotive transmission fluids" (also engine oils, fuels, and solvents). Seems like the intended use here for sure.

 

[orangetree]

actually, event better. Using McMaster (I trust it more than amazon, and unlike Granger it has application info

Kingscote Bright Dyes comes in flourescent meaning it glows in UV - you can make it out even with dirty fluid on black engine parts.

Bright Dyes® Solvent 250 Red Fluorescent Liquid
Product Number: 506250-RF
https://www.mcmaster.com/1400T22/

https://www.kingscotechemicals.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Solvent-Fluorescent-Red-250.pdf

the fluorescent is expensive ($60/4oz), but mcmaster also sells Blue and Red standard, the same as the amazon link above, but cheaper ($20/4oz)

 

[rScotty]

The mechanic just changed all the hydraulic connectors to the backhoe. Backhoe worked for about 10 minutes and stopped again. Next we took the entire backhoe valve block out and took the pressure relief valve apart. It apparently is defective. It hangs up and gets stuck inside the valve body. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The dealer said they are going to either replace the entire valve assembly or give me a completely new replacement backhoe. Very frustrating on a machine with only 25 hours on it, but at least they are making good on the problem.

After all the stories on TBN about dealers who don't care and mechanics who don't know..... well, it's sure nice to hear about a mechanic who knows how to troubleshoot the hydraulics and a dealer who will stand up for the customer.

I think you are lucky to have that kind of support. Makes the whole world seem a little nicer.

BTW, we had a similar event here when our kubota backhoe boom cylinder gave out a month after the warranty expired. Our dealer sent out his mobile mechanic who swapped it out on the spot. About a $1200 part & No Charge.
rScotty