L3830 with BH-90 questions

[jmc]

A standards committee in my industry was trying to set design standards for certain medical devices. When manufacturing tolerances were being resolved, one Doctor asked "Why should we allow tolerances? Why can't they just make them right?" !

If we insist on tighter than reasonable tolerances, those $30,000 tractors will cost $35,000.

 

[texbaylea]

I do not have a back hoe on my 3 mos old L3130 but I had occasion to leave the FEL and a bush hog elevated for 72 hours. Because of severe weather and problems I was having I did not touch the tractor during that time. Any sag was not perceptable to the eye over that period. I am sure there was a small amount but without before and after measurements there was no way to know.

Really, I was susprised at this since I expected noticeable sag nor do I expect this state of minimal leakage to NOT change as I use the tractor. In this day and age of mass production, sometimes the tolerances go one way sometimes the other.

I do not think it realistic to expect that ground metal mating surfaces and also flexible seals not to have some leakage.

Vernon

 

[rswyan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Are the rest of the BH owners experiencing the same drop? )</font>

I have a BL4690B on a B2910 and yes, all the cylinders relax or sag - it's worse the longer the time, but noticable after a day. The bucket uncurls (the worst), the dipperstick relaxes (less pronounced), and the boom sags (since it's locked in position it's hard to tell how far it would go) I'd agree with those who say it is normal.

 

[grandad]

As others have said, some minor leakdown of your cylinders and/or valving when the unit is not in operation is normal. The stabs on my BH droop a little also, and the boom, dipper and bucket all gradually relax when the unit is stored. All of this is totally irrelevant to the performance of a backhoe when it is actually in operation.

The fact that there is slight leakdown does not equate to poor quality. A backhoe with totally leak resistant valves and cylinders could probably be designed, but you and I wouldn't be able to afford it. I would rather see a manufacturer engineer a product with features that more directly translate into value and productivity.

Finally, we all know there is bound to be some wear on hydraulic parts as a backhoe is used (don't we?), and 99.99% of whatever loss of performance you may have after 5 years wear and tear will be due to your operating the BH, not because it leaked down very slightly when new.