Backhoe L3200 and backhoe capacity/power and operating temperature

[petroliapete]

I have about 15 hours on my new machine (much with the backhoe). Absolutely love it!!! But, if I use the backhoe continously for a while (45 minutes +), the cylinders get very hot - so hot that I can't touch them. I noticed after an extended period that I had to be careful because the grease started to get soft. Is that normal?

Also, in other machines I looked at, I could use the boom to lift the back of the tractor off of the ground slightly (in the event I was stuck and needed to reposition the tires). I neglected to check the Kubota before I bought it. But it doesn't seem to come even close to being able to do this. Is that normal??

I suppose I am little paranoid because when it was delivered to the dealer, their was an issue with the actuator for the boom. It was stuck in the up position slightly and fluid would cycle through it continously (much the same way as if a relief valve were stuck open). The delar fixed it, but I am wondering if they missed something, or there is another problem that was not obvioous at the time, or ???

I used to run an really old Case 530, which granted is a much heavier machine, but the cylinders never even came close to changing temp, even when I ran it hard. I could also lift the back of the machine onto a trailer with the boom (when I was showing off )

Two biggest enemies of hydraulics are dirt and heat. And I seem to have alot of heat, so I am concerned.

Any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated..

Thank you very much.

 

[Carl_NH]

Welcome to TBN Pete. I was born in PA - Kane and still have some land up that way - nice country.

Is the the 4690BH? What is the BH connection 4 Point i presume with a subframe? Does the 3200 have hydro cooling in front of the radiator? Are your tires loaded?

My B21 has 8 gallons of hdyro fluid, a hyd cooler, and two pumps and is about the same digging capability I think to your L3200 BH and I have ran it pretty hard and while the lines and cylinders get warm never too hot to touch - maybe 105-110 max - warm but not hot. I can lift and move the tractor around with the BH.

Something doesnt sound right - I would ask the dealer to check the pressures and maybe if the oil is bypassing somehow its heating up.

Carl

 

[LD1]

It is not uncommon for hydraulics to get 140-150 which will see too hot to touch, but still not harm anything. But since I dont have a set-up like yours, I dont know what is normal and what is not. I am just speaking to hydraulics in general.

Any chance you got a temp gun and can get an actual temp of the cylinders when they are hot???

And not having the power to lift the rear does seem to be a problem though.

 

[TractorTrooper]

My brand new (4 hrs) L3200 cylinders also get very hot after use. It's probably normal since I haven't had any other issues with the tractor so far.

 

[JoeBuyer]

Sounds like maybe you have fluid leaking past the boom cylinder piston? What is the speed of that cylinder? Does the does the dipper or bucket cylinder get as hot given approx the same use?

 

[petroliapete]

Thanks Carl!!
Been to Kane a number times!! (still remember a cold snowy high school footbal game there when I was a kid ). Tires not loaded. I thik I am goign to approach the dealer . thanks!

 

[petroliapete]

Thanks. I love mine. I hopeyour right.

 

[petroliapete]

Thank LD1. I thought about a temp gun. Don't have access to one anymore. based on my experience I may in the temp range you are talking about. It is hot enough that I feel it immeditaley and can't hold my skin to it at all. a little singed armhair. Maybe I can find a temp gun?? Thanks for your help.

 

[petroliapete]

Joe
I wondered about fluid leak like you suggeested. The boom and dipper cylinders definitely get hot at same time. It seems that cylinder speed is alittel sllower that I wold expect, but I am not very experienced with this unit so I may be wrong and it may be normal.
I will check with dealer and post their repsonse so we all know

 

[LD1]

Yep, time to consult your dealer with your concerns. They should look at it under warranty. DONT FORGET to post back and let us know what they find. All too often new members post a problem, get it fixed, and never report back. It helps ALL of us to help future members:thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

Here are 3 sources for temp guns.

Non-Contact Infrared Laser Thermometer

Amazon.com: HDE Temperature Gun Infrared Thermometer w/ Laser Sight: Home Improvement

Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer-IR001 at The Home Depot

James K0UA

 

[badapplefab]

I have the same machine, with about 30hrs on it, alot with the backhoe. My cylinders on the hoe get hot, but nothing i can't touch and hold onto. As for the ability to lift the machine, I can do that easliy, been able to reposition the tractor with the backhoe, so i'd call the dealer. I too love the machine.

 

[Carl_NH]

Pete,

Based on the replies to date and others I think you have a good case to bring up to the dealer - you might want to put some of these replies in a note to him..

Good Luck and as LD1 said let us know how you make out - somethings not right..

Carl

 

[JoeBuyer]

Another thing to check is the general temperature of the hydraulic fluid line as it returns back to the tank (transmission). Is that too hot to touch? It should be nice and warm but not hot. This might give you an idea if you have an overall hydraulic cooling problem.

 

[petroliapete]

Thanks badapplefab!! love the name by the way.

 

[petroliapete]

Good idea Joe.And k0ua apprecaite the links, didn't realize there were some that were so inexpensive. I Ordered one and am going to collect some data!!

 

[petroliapete]

Good idea - I am going to guage my dealer 's interest/knowledge to see what they come back with, but I already ordered a temp gun, and with the measurements I take and the postings here, I will be in a better posistion to have an intelligent discussion with the service manager. From speaking with him , I am not sure he ever got these questions before and I am not sure he really knows the answers yet. The more I know, the more he will know when we are done talking, and I will have a stronger case for asking for some warranty work.

 

[1savoy]

Petroliapete,

I also only have a handful of hours on my L3800 w/ BH. Been to busy on non-tractor needed projects. Anyways, I noticed when using the BH my boom cylinder also got very hot. Do not think I could hold my hand on it. It was a 100 + degree day though. I was a little disappointed with the performance of the BH. I have been planning on checking the hydraulic relief setting for the tractor, but not sure if this will make too much difference with the BH. I had the time last night to check mine and after cycling the boom for a few minutes, the boom cylinder was getting quite hot. Might need to get a temp gun. But as yours, the BH is unable to pick up the back of the tractor Definately is not right. Be very interested in what you find out. Thanks, Russ

 

[Landryk01]

I too have the B3200. The cylinder does get hot also. I was thinking this was normal. Interested in what the dealer says. However, I can pick up the back of the tracker with no problem.
I did have a leak in one of the check valves. Been at the dealer twice for a total of 7 weeks. Was pretty upset. He did attach my new snow blower for free, so he did try to make up for it.
Used the bh for the first time today since the repair. At on point, after picking up a big rock, the boom would just fall on its own. Drive it to the house tried playing with it some more and it seamed fine. Hmmm, I'll play with it more tomorrow. Hopefully it was just air in the lines.

 

[boggen]

double check hyd cooler. errr hyd oil radiator. some place up in front of tractor. and can be hidden by main radiator of the tractor. requiring shields or hood or possible main radiator itself a couple bolts undone on it. and tipped forward to find access to the hyd cooler. and use an air blow gun to plow out all the fins on it. have had the hyd oil cooler plug solid and then end up getting cylinder extremely hot. have had hyd filter "by pass" come on a few times due to filter plugged up. and as a result hyd oil over heating and causing cylinders to get hot. when i run things to point i am kicking on the "pressure relief valves" of backhoe and FEL hyd oil will run hot. with machine and backhoe being so new, have you made sure of double checking hyd oil level. after running FEL and backhoe some, and re-topping off the hyd oil as air was worked out of the system / cylinders / hoses? with machine and backhoe being new, i have to wonder about some sort of metal shavings or other muck some were getting stuck in a valve and allowing fluid to by pass. or more likely a seal / 0-ring is messed up and allowing oil to by pass. if there are any QD "quick disconnects" between tractor and backhoe, you might want to pop them loose and re-connect. some times they do not seat correctly. are you running the tractor at PTO RPMs? or running at lower RPMs? does it make a difference besides how fast the FEL and backhoe move? higher RPMs will cause more GPM of hyd oil to flow. and any sort of restriction from a clog will cause hyd oil to heat up quicker, if hyd oil is some how by passing / leaking through a valve. at higher RPMs / GPM this will also cause hyd oil to heat up quicker. "friction" = heat.