Front End Loader Question

mitchdb · Mar 8, 2005

I had a leak in my hydraulic system a few months ago (fitting came loose).

Now, my front end loader is really jerkie when I lift it. Sometimes it doesn't even want to move. The hydraulic oil is inside the operating range, do I need to bleed the system somehow? I bought the recommended oil from the JD Dealership. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mitch

WhiteRock · Mar 8, 2005

Seems you could have air in the system. Have you cycled the loader to its full extents a few times? Maybe at full speed?

mitchdb · Mar 8, 2005

I have, I did everything that I could find in the owner's manual. It doesn't even get any better after it's warmed up from an hour of mowing. I was hoping there was a trick to it, without having to get it serviced.

Do you know right off the top of your head when the service incriments are? I've got 98 hours on it, I had the 50 hour service done but haven't looked to see when the next one is. If it's close, I might just get it serviced and looked at, at the same time.

Thanks!

WhiteRock · Mar 8, 2005

First to let you know, I haven't encountered this myself. There are probably others here on TBN with more experience on this.

I went through your manual and did not see anything on this. Did you find something in the manual that addresses this?

Does one side work better than the other?

It sounds like air to me. The air needs to be purged. I don't think bleeding the system at the fittings is necessary and can be very dangerous. I recommend getting the exact procedure before attempting anything like this.

The air will move to the highest point. The objective is to get the air to move to through the control valve and back to the tank. With the loader in one direction, the cylinder will have all the fluid exhausted on one end and filled on the other. When switched to the other direction, the other side fills and the full side empties. In each direction where the cylinder is exhausted of fluid, the air will be pushed to the hose, but if the valve is lower than the hose, I am not sure how to move it back to the valve.

Does the lift hold? Will it lift the front of the tractor? Will it hold?

timb · Mar 9, 2005

It does sound like air - I got a little bubble in the system when I removed and re-installed the loader once - and had a minor case of the stutters for a bit lifting the boom. But many cycle repetitions of the boom and curl later it did eventually work itself around and out and is smooth as silk again.

I've got the the tech manual on CD - I'll try to look in there tonight and see if they describe a specific process to facilitate the purge.

rockyridgefarm · Mar 9, 2005

I had similar issues, was just sure that I had air, and nothing helped. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

It turned out that I had the returns crossed! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Somehow the colored covers had gotten switched...

mitchdb · Mar 9, 2005

Yes, the front end loader will hold itself up at the very top of the lift, if it can make it up there. Some times it won't even lift itself off the ground, I just drag it around. I'm not sure if it will actually lift the tractor anymore.

I saw somewhere in the owner's manual or the front end loader manual that said to raise and lower the loader and if should get better when the fluid warms up. It was kinda cool but not cold, probably 55-60 outside.

I will definitely raise and lower it a lot more.

Thanks!

mitchdb · Mar 9, 2005

Thanks, I'd really appreciate all the info that I can get. Where did you get the tech manual on CD?

I've never taken my loader off or even disconnected the hoses. I knew I'd be asking for trouble if I did that, it's just my luck!

Thanks

pat32rf · Mar 13, 2005

You mention that you haven't removed your hoses....Take a good look at the quick couplings and make sure that a branch hasn't knocked one loose. I had to back all the way out of the bush one night because I couldn't lift my bucket and didn't have a light with me. The fittings felt like they were OK in the dark but the light of day proved otherwise. Pat

JB4310 · Mar 13, 2005

Mitch,

I'm not that experianced with trouble shooting hydraulic system problems but I have found an interesting site that might help you or anyone else who might want to learn more.

When you get on the site,look down on the left side and click on { HYDRAULICS 101} there is info on terminology, theory and trouble shooting.

I'll try to link you to it here; web page

If that doesn't work it's; www.machinebuilders.net/

Good luck, John B.