John Deere 5520 Hydraulic Problem

[glcaines]

I have a 2003 John Deere 5520 cab tractor with less than 500 hours that I use a bucket and also forks on, but mostly forks. The tractor has recently developed an issue that is especially aggravating when using forks but occurs regardless of what implement is on the front. When I go to raise the forks, the whole assembly will drop from 6 - 10 inches before rising. If I try to tilt the forks back, they will tilt forward about 10 - 15 degrees before tilting back. As you can imagine this make it almost impossible to move pallets of material and can be dangerous. I've accidentally dumped several loads by accident. I have checked the hydraulic fluid and it is right on the full mark on the dipstick. Changing the filter didn't help. The rockshaft operates correctly and doesn't drop. All hydraulics operate at a reasonable speed, the drop on the front end is the only issue. I can leave the forks raised with a heavy load and there is no drop until I try to raise the load and then it will fall momentarily before starting to rise. It also doesn't matter how long the load has been on the forks - same results. Also, the problem exists in both hot and cold weather and regardless of whether the tractor was just started or has been running for hours and the tractor and hydraulics are thoroughly warmed up. Any ideas?

 

[Leejohn]

It's the load checks in your valve. Broken spring. I well show you a picture and you can see about where they are at. This is NOT your valve but the load checks are in about the same spot on most valves.

 

[Stimw]

It's the load checks in your valve. Broken spring. I well show you a picture and you can see about where they are at. This is NOT your valve but the load checks are in about the same spot on most valves.

Can you describe hat they do when working normally?

 

[oldnslo]

Load checks prevent oil flow from the cylinders to the pressure port of the directional valve.

 

[glcaines]

It's the load checks in your valve. Broken spring. I well show you a picture and you can see about where they are at. This is NOT your valve but the load checks are in about the same spot on most valves.

Thanks for the information. I'm out of town tomorrow, but I'll check this out when I return.

 

[glcaines]

I ordered the load check kits over a week ago from John Deere, but they haven't come in yet, although they told me I would have them in two days. I believe Christmas has slowed down shipping. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of some decent weather and it would have been nice to go ahead and install the load checks.

 

[glcaines]

I finally have success! My local JD dealer supplied incorrect check valves. Finally, I received the correct check valves today, after looking up the part number myself on the JD corporate website. The correct JD part number for a JD 5520 Cab tractor is RE222161. They are made slightly different from the originals. The originals had a hard rubber poppet, while the replacements had metal poppets. The originals had the poppets stuck in the plug and I had to pry with pliers to remove them. Now, there is no drop when raising or tilting. I want to thank everyone that helped me with this problem.