Help with 400x Leakdown

trook · Apr 27, 2012

I have a JD4320, 370hrs, with the 400x FEL. I noticed when disking last week, that the curl portion of the fel seemed to be leaking down as i was disking. The overall height may have been leaking down as well. I found myself increasing the height on the fel every few minutes.

Tonight, I left the FEL approximately 4ft high and returned about 4 hrs later and the fel was on the ground. Obviously, this is not right. Can anyone give me pointers on how to find the problem? The fluid level is fine and I don't see obvious signs of leaking fluid on the ground.

trook · Apr 27, 2012

Oh yeah, I changed the hydraulic fluid and filters about 10 hrs ago. I didn't notice an immediate change in FEL leakdown, but it was probably there... After changing the fluid, are you supposed to "bleed" the system somehow?

Edward. S · Apr 28, 2012

Not even a few drips of oil? Somethings wrong with the cylinders? But for that young of a Deere nothing should be wrong...

megaboz · Apr 28, 2012

Many people complain about the 200 and 300 series slowly leaking off when running as well. While I done like that myself, apparently it is normal.

I don't know if there is supposed be something special about the 400 series but for the FEL to drop down is normal in most equipment when not running.

megaboz · Apr 28, 2012

Also many people complain about the 200 and 300 series slowly leaking off when running as well. While I done like that myself, apparently it is normal.

jd670 · Apr 28, 2012

In my opinion, I don't think they should leak down at all. My neighbor has an Kubota tractor and his loader will stay up all day long. During deer season, he will hang his deer from the bucket and gut and clean it with no loader leak down at all. Hate to say it but, it must just be with JD loaders. The 300x on my 4210 would leak down fairly quickly. Dealer told me that was normal. Now the 300cx on my 3320 doesn't seem to have this problem. I can leave the bucket up overnight and the next morning its still up. Makes no sense to me.

megaboz · Apr 28, 2012

I had a bx24 before, it didn't leak down for the first year, but it started after that.

I wouldn't expect such a feature in a CUTS.

trook · Apr 28, 2012

One problem I may have caused, but not sure, occurred last weekend. I have a "thumb" mounted on top of my bucket and the top of the bucket has flexed some due to the torque of the thumb. The only way I have found to bend the top of the bucket back to its original position is to "dump" the bucket, place it against a tree, and drive forward in A1 to push the top of the bucket back into its original shape.

I know this has some risks, but it is the only way I have found to bend the bucket back to its original configuration because of the nature of the bend and the shape of the bucket.

I know some leakdown is normal, but I've never experienced leakdown like this, especially when the tractor is running.

Could I have busted a seal or something?

If so, how to I inspect it, and what tools do I need?

Rockgod · Apr 28, 2012

You may have an "internal" leak in one of the cylinders. I had a problem with my steering ram cylinder a couple weeks ago, the tech said the leak was internal. Said he could have rebuilt it but switched it out instead. Been fine since.

jimjo2 · Apr 30, 2012

I had a 1963, 2010 and the FEL would stay up off the ground all winter long. My 2006 CX200 dropped from day one, both raise and curl. I complained to my JD dealer and was told that Deere accepts up to a 7" drop per hour leak rate through the cylinders.