JD 1050 problem with bucket - doesn't stay firm, flips up

[farmer marx]

Symptom 1: with the bucket flat down, 1 inch from the ground, if i try to get under a pile of snow or sand, the bucket will start lifting upward. I cannot get it to stay flat.

Symptom 2: let's say I raise the loader half way and I flip the bucket downward all the way. The goal is to 'cut' a pile of snow and drag it going backward. As soon as the bucket meets some resistance, I can't push the loader further down. Then, when I start driving in reverse, the bucket flips upwards.

Symptom 3: lift the loader all the way, flip the bucket 90% of the way down. The bucket dangles, it doesn't stay fixed in that position. HOWEVER, if I flip the bucket all the way downward, at that point it locks in that position, and if I lower the loader all the way to the ground, at that point I can lift up the front wheels.

A friend says it could be the pins. Another one says it's the hydraulics. What do you think, and in case it's the hydraulics, which components need replacing?
Thank you very much for your advice.

 

[suburbanfarmer]

I was having somewhat of a similar issue but havent been able to confirm it yet.

Loader - CX200 Hydraulic Cylinder

Hi All, So we had a bit of snow and I used the loader to clear it up but quite a few times noticed that the curl function went weak or limp. There is no oil leaking anywhere. I did the full raise and curl to get any air out but seems the functioning is intermittent at best. The dump is loud and...

www.tractorbynet.com

Wondering if you are doing the same as what I was doing regenerative valve to kick in.

If its not that then it could be hydraulic cylinder seal repair time.

 

[Tx Jim]

I think bucket cylinder piston retaining nut is loose or bucket cyl piston seal has failed

 

[Rick Gent]

I had a 1050 for many years and never experienced what you describe. I agree with Jim, I think it's a problem with one or both bucket cylinders. I would test the cylinders by raising the loader boom about midway of its travel and curl the bucket either all the way up or down. Drive the tractor up against something solid like a tree until the bucket just contacts it. Put the transmission in neutral and uncurl the bucket. It should have enough power to push the machine backwards. If it moves it, lightly push the brake pedal to give some resistance and see if it continues to move. Try this again with bucket in the opposite position. If it fails this test I would rebuild both bucket cylinders.

 

[CobyRupert]

Once you get it fixed, I’d go easy on back-dragging with the bucket curled all the way down like you describe in symptoms #2. There’s a lot of leverage doing that, it’s an easy way to bend the cylinders or blow their seals when something has to give.

 

[farmer marx]

I was having somewhat of a similar issue but havent been able to confirm it yet.

Loader - CX200 Hydraulic Cylinder

Hi All, So we had a bit of snow and I used the loader to clear it up but quite a few times noticed that the curl function went weak or limp. There is no oil leaking anywhere. I did the full raise and curl to get any air out but seems the functioning is intermittent at best. The dump is loud and...

www.tractorbynet.com

Wondering if you are doing the same as what I was doing regenerative valve to kick in.

If its not that then it could be hydraulic cylinder seal repair time.

Thank you. I read the entire post and replies and I think my problem is different, although it also involves the functioning of the bucket and loader. I learned a lot, especially about regen valves (I had no idea that their purpose was.)

 

[farmer marx]

I think bucket cylinder piston retaining nut is loose or bucket cyl piston seal has failed

Thank you. I will start there. I hope the problem is limited to the seal and the cylinder is not bent and doesn't require rebuilding/replacing. Somone replied that curling the bucket all the way down and scraping the ground puts a lot of pressure on the system and can damage it. I will try avoid doing that in the future. Unfortunately the problems were already there when I bought the tractor but I didn't know.

 

[farmer marx]

Once you get it fixed, I’d go easy on back-dragging with the bucket curled all the way down like you describe in symptoms #2. There’s a lot of leverage doing that, it’s an easy way to bend the cylinders or blow their seals when something has to give.

Thank you for the advice. Right now back-dragging with the bucket curled down is the only way I can get any kind of action moving loose material, dirt, sand, snow, anything. I hope I didn't bend the cylinders.