L3240 loader question?

[jeconn]

I have a L3240 with 54 hours on it and have a question about the loader bucket operation. At idle the bucket curls back ok but when it is revved up to about 1500 rpm's or more the bucket curls back real slow like it is binding. If I just barely move the curl back lever it does ok but if I want it to curl back fast it acts like it is binding. Nothing is bent or twisted. Also one of my lift arms is leaking a little fluid. Is this normal? When I say a little I mean maybe a drop every 15 or 20 minutes. If this is not normal I would like to get it fixed before my warranty runs out. If it is normal then I won't bother my dealer about it. Thanks.

 

[07 LMM LTZ]

Not being smart but have you greased your loader regulary I believe they call for it evrey ten hours. If it is leaking I would take it to get it fixed if it under warrenty it is only going to get worse as time goes on.

 

[gwdixon]

Leaking and binding is not normal at those low hours. Definitely get it looked at and fixed under warranty. The operation problems sound like a faulty pump or low hydraulic fluid. You may want to ask the people in the Hydraulics forum part of TBN to see what they think.

It is doubtful that going 50 hours on the original FEL grease would cause as much binding as you describe. Certainly, it should be greased as described in the manual but there is a bit of a window of opportunity if many of the hours are not used in FEL operation.

For instance, if the hours were put on mowing and the FEL was just actuated to lift the bucket off of the ground then not much grease will have been squeezed out.

However, if most of the hours were used moving gravel or dirt then there might not be sufficient grease left for adequate lubrication and protection against metal-to-metal contact. Still, the pins are so hard, as are the lands, that they would have to be almost bone dry to bind and gall.

 

[northernjake]

Hi jeconn,
How cold is it when you are trying this? I don't know how cold it is in your part, where I am, it is quite cold. Whenever I use my tractors with loaders,etc., I slowly work the joystick to raise and lower the loader and curl and dump the bucket. I continue to cycle the oil through until it limbers up a bit. Then I just drive it around a bit to cycle the warmer oil before I really "get at it". That oil becomes pretty thick.
I hope that is all it is. You have performed your 50 Hr service, etc.? The leak I would have them fix on their dime.

Jake

 

[jeconn]

Yes, I grease it regularly. It feels more like a hydraulic binding than a mechanical binding. If that makes sense. It is not cold here and it has done this for about 20 hours. I did the 50 hour service myself and nothing changed. I guess I'll let the dealer look at it.

 

[dex3361]

Yes, I grease it regularly. It feels more like a hydraulic binding than a mechanical binding. If that makes sense. It is not cold hear and it has done this for about 20 hours. I did the 50 hour service myself and nothing changed. I guess I'll let the dealer look at it.

A couple of questions, Have you had your FEL connections loose lately? Could they be crossed(Curl/Dump)? The easiest for last with the tractor shut down and the bucket relaxed and the FEL controls moved in all directions to take the pressure off of the connections, take your connections loose(unplug and replug firmly) and re seat them sometimes this can be an issue similar to what you are having.

 

[07 LMM LTZ]

I would let the dealer take look at it be that is that new. They can check all the pressures on the hydralic system and check the flow rate to see if there is a problem with the tractor.

 

[jeconn]

I have never taken the connections loose so I don't think that is it.

 

[Marcussen]

The cylinder should not be leaking, that is reason enough to take it to the dealer. While they are fixing the cyllinder they can investigate the slow curl. Normal operation would be slower curl at idle than at higher speed. Is the curl the only slow operation?

 

[marks146]

My L3240's bucket curls faster in proportion to the RPM. It almost sounds like a reversed pressure valve. High flow shutting the valve, and slow/low pressure allowing flow. At any rate this is a dealer warranty fix. Something is not right and needs to be made right. Don't wait. Get it serviced.