Does my mini-ex have a hydraulic problem or is this normal?

[edrrt]

So I just bought a TB175 from United Rentals and have 30 days to find if anything is wrong with it and have it fixed. I noticed that when curling the bucket into the ground it slows then stops about half way and the relief valve opens. Doesn't raise or move the unit at all so seems a little premature to me. So then I tried to lift the unit off the ground. Pushing the boom down will tilt the front about 1 inch off the ground then it stops. I assume the relief valve opens. At that point if I push forward on both joysticks (boom down/ stick out) then it suddenly has the power the lift it up.

See Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBM-UQfFHxM

I seem to remember trying one in an auction yard and being able to tilt the machine back as far as I wanted with just with the boom. It seems like the relief is opening early.

Does this seem normal for this size machine or should I call united rentals and tell them to look into it?

Thanks,

Rich

 

[cgutenschwager]

I would tell them to look at it, but it might just be low on hyd. fluid. The filter could also be dirty. I too have run type of equipment and it should tip right back. I bet if you tried to lift something, like a big rock, it wouldn't; that would be disappointing. :thumbsdown:

 

[MHarryE]

My Cat is much lighter than your mini but it has no problem lifting the blade end off the ground using the blade, pivoting the body 180, then raising the machine lifting the tracks well off the ground. This is the book method for checking track tension. Curling my bucket dill drag the machine across the ground on gravel - not sure about concrete. I looked up pics of your machine and one of the first I saw had the front of the tracks lifted a couple feet off the ground using the boom. Sounds like yours may be on the weak side. I'd at least have them verify statement relief but being a rental I would have expected rental customers to have complained. Mine is an ex-rental and it shows a lot more wear in the 400 hours I've used it than when I bought it. I think rental customers might have treated it easier knowing they would need to pay if it didn't come back nearly as good as when it left the yard whereas I learned by experience using it and I tend to operate aggressively.

 

[Measure Twice]

It should be able to lift itself off the ground with almost no effort. Something is wrong and I would get it repaired while it is still on their dime.

 

[MBTRAC]

Your Takeuchi should easily be able to lift itself clear of the ground - the hydraulics on Takeuchi machines should be strong & smooth in operation - rather than speculate on possible causes, IMO get it fixed while it's still under the 30 day warranty

 

[dave9652]

Mine will lift itself about a foot off the ground on both ends.....nice feature when i roll the track off

 

[MHarryE]

Mine will lift itself about a foot off the ground on both ends.....nice feature when i roll the track off

You would think I'd learn. Deep, sticky mud, aggressive operation, and next thing my left track starts jerking. Know right away I popped the track and like you say, lift it off the ground, release the pressure, put grease back in to tension the track and away I go. Happens about once a year.every mini-excavator needs this capability.

 

[edrrt]

Is it normal for a mini ex not to be able to slew up a slight incline with dirt in the bucket?

TB175 Slew problems - YouTube

 

[paulharvey]

No, that is not normal. Get it fixed while you can because other wise your machine is off little use. Could be any number of things, from air in lines, to bad pump, or blocked filter.

 

[dave9652]

Sounds like someone was trying to push stumps in slewing mode.....any pushing in that mode will wreck er fast......alot of that equipment comes off rental and that's the reason its
kicked out the door. Any parts a very, very expensive

 

[MBTRAC]

From the video I'm guessing it may be a pressure relief valve/setting causing the drama - the Takeuchi machines have some of the best hydraulic systems/breakout on offer, so take it back & get it fixed under the 30day warranty (for diagnostics they should be be plumbing in a pressure gauge to validate hydraulic performance vs factory specs)
As disappointing as these problems are, even the best looked after machines do get "gremlins" from time to time - on the positive side from what I can see in your video's the machine doesn't seem to have led a life of abuse so I doubt once you overcome these initial issues there's much more than expected normal wear & tear on the machine.