Cutter Deck hydraulic control problem

[LinnParks]

Hi, all.
I've got a Jacobsen HR5111. Picked it up used. We received it "as is". One of the conditions was that the right side mower deck blades wouldn't shut off. Investigation revealed that the wire harness connector and part of the plastic cover for the valve deck control solenoid had been smashed off. The valve deck control block looks to be in good shape, so we ordered a new solenoid (coil switch), and had to get a new wire harness as well, since the old wire harness didn't match the new solenoid connector.

The valve itself, when removed, didn't move. I assume that it was stuck open, thus allowing the hydraulics to drive the deck motors. No sign of damage to the valve assembly. The valve assembly threads into the valve deck control block, with a shaft that sticks out. The solenoid slides over that, and then a threaded cap secures the solenoid in place by threading onto the tail end of the protruding valve stem/shaft.

After blowing out the valve with air, then dipping it in some hydraulic oil to give it lubrication, the valve slides back and forth within its housing very easily and smoothly. No evidence of grit, burrs, or foreign material.

We re-installed the valve assembly, placed the solenoid on, connected the wiring harness (drum roll) .... and nothing. Instead of the deck motors not being able to turn off, now we can't turn them on. Hmmm.

We pulled it apart and tested that the solenoid is charging and developing a good magnetic pull. Check.
We re-verified that the valve moves freely within its housing. Check.
We reversed polarity on the solenoid coil. No luck.

We called the Jake dealer in Portland and talked to the maintenance folks. They didn't have new suggestions. Our next step is to pull the solenoid and valve assembly off the front deck valve control and swap it with the new one on the right deck valve control. If that drives the right deck, but the front deck doesn't work, then that'll indicate a problem with the valve assembly.

Does anyone have any insight or suggestions? Anyone had similar experience, or hydraulic insight? Appreciate the help.
Kevin

 

[oldnslo]

Linn,
Can you post any pictures of the valve that is failing? If this is a screw in cartridge valve that are some fussy on the torque used to install them as well as the torque used on the coil retaining nut. Over tightening the valve into the manifold can squeeze the spool and cause it to bind. Same with over tightening the coil nut on some models. This can stretch the tube assembly causing the internal armature to bind.

suggest around 25 ft lbs on the valve into the manifold presuming 7/8 hex. 30 ft lbs if one inch hex

60 inch lbs on the coil nut. Just enough to keep the coil from turning

 

[LinnParks]

oldnslo - Good thought, but I don't think that's it. We energized the solenoid with the coil and valve out to see if it actuated the valve at all. No luck.

 

[LinnParks]

Replacing the cartridge valve. Hoping that does the trick. Spendy though.

 

[LinnParks]

New solenoid cartridge valve did the trick. Deck motors are running fine.

 

[oldnslo]

Glad to know that the valve was the issue.