joystick not smooth

[xrbbaker]

Hello

I have a New Holland Boomer 24. 2016. Has about 30 hrs on it. I bought it used a couple months ago. The loader on it works great, but lately I feel "play" in the joystick. It used to spring back to center after push up, down, left, right. Now I notice some loosey goosey in it on left to right. Everything still works but I don't like it.

I took the boot off of it and what seems to be happening is that when I move it to the right, the cable thingy (technical term) seems to catch a little bit on something. When it plunges it isn't smooth.
It's almost like it needs a lubricant. Does one lubricate these things? I have about zero mechanical experience but with this thing, I'm learning fast.

I've tried several times to upload a picture but it won't let me. I took a vid of it, but I can't post a link either. Frustrating.

Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Might be crud inside the cable sleeve / housing. You can try lubing that. Is there any adjustment screws on the cable? Any tension adjusters?

30 hours on a 5 year old tractor is quite rare.... there is probably thick / hardened lubricant in the cable tube (aka crud). It is sticking due to lack of use...

You cannot post any pics or videos until you have either 5 or 10 posts.... I cannot remember which it is.

 

[skipperbrown]

I'd hit it with penetrating oil and work the stick in a circle and see if that helps.

 

[xrbbaker]

Dang I wish I could paste a pic but I understand the rules. I'll try lubricating it.

Yes - the tractor was kind of a steal. The guy's dad had bought it for him as he bought an extra lot beside his house. He only used the tractor a few times / year to basically tame the weeds and brush. Eventually he just mowed it with his lawn mower. The bucket had never been used. So it has very low hours but did sit around a lot. I've still ended having a few things to do to it:

1) I just swapped out all of the filters for good measure.
2) Changed the oil.
3) Tracked down a tiny leak that was coming out of where a hydraulic line elbow joined the tractor case. Learned what a "jam nut" is and why it needs to be tight.
4) First day bumped into a bush and Hydraulic fluid started squirting out of a line. Learned to check and tighten all the fittings.
5) I ran over a stick that speared the underbelly of the tractor - right into the hydraulic cooling fan.
6) Learned how to take apart the hydraulic transmission shaft enough to replace the hydraulic cooling fan.
7) Learned that if you put too much gear oil in the very low front wheel gear oil case, that it will find a way out and you will think you have a leak until you realize that you put in too much gear oil.
8) Pushed the brake to the floor with no resistance and figured out that a cotter pin had popped out.

It's kind of like the tractor is the teacher and I'm the pupil. It teaches me lessons but it's up to me to figure out what the lesson is. It is absolutely the most wonderful, fun, yet productive, toy I've ever had. Next I want to get a rear scrape. I HOPE we get a lot of snow this year!!

 

[xrbbaker]

Thanks skipperbrown. I'll give it a try. It would be sweet if that did the trick. I don't see any kind of cable adjustment screws or anything, but I'm going to hold my camera underneath to see if I'm missing anything.

 

[ericm979]

If the cable housings are lined with PTFE they don't need lube. Unfortunately it can be hard to tell from the outside if they are lined or not. Once you lube those, they will need lube in the future. The lube also attracts dirt and pulls it into the housing.

I'd try to lube the lever pivots and other parts outside the cables first. If that does not do it, then lube the cables themselves. I use a light lubricant like CRC powerlube for the cables. WD40 and penetrating oil are not lubricants. If you can't get lube down in the housing, there are cable lube injectors for motorcycles.

 

[xrbbaker]

Thanks ericm979. I am a tad hesitant to shoot things into a void when I don't know whether that is really acceptable. Then again, I have to do something. I like your idea to proceed cautiously. Hey - I think it maybe let me upload a picture?