Low Hydraulic pressure

powerscol · Nov 28, 2011

I have my dealer

service folks stumped and they have a call into the Colorado rep.

I have a low performance issue on a CT 235 (new last year ) with 40 hours on it.

Break out and lifting performance are greatly reduced, as well a power to move. During heavy use I can smell hot oil, but cannot find any leaks, neither can dealer

Dealer confirmed it is down on power, but waiting on direction on where to look further from state rep. Waiting for him to call back with answer.They did confirm it is a warranty issue though.

Any thoughts? They have had it for over 4 weeks now - getting a bit frustrated with lack of progress. Excuse is they are swamped with other customers, probably contractors paying for work which I can understand to a point as I am retired and use it around the place.

Thanks for any help - Keith

galaxie428 · Nov 29, 2011

Sorry to hear about your problem. I am sure others will chime in that are more knowledgable than I am but I know a few times I have hit the lever for the rear remotes without having an implement attached and can feel the reduced power. Plus, without being able to recirculate, the fluid gets hot.

Do you have rear remotes?

powerscol · Nov 29, 2011

Thanks for the reply. I do not have rear remotes.

Whats frustrating is the communication with the dealer. I left a message for the service manager yesterday, but no call back yet. I guess Ill try later today again.

Keith

SSdoxie · Nov 29, 2011

Weak loader functions and weak drive - the only common items these systems share is the reservoir, suction line up to the gear pump(s). One gear pump unit with 2 sections in it, 1 section pumps to loader & 3 point the other pumps to steering and charge pressure for the hydrostatic drive. If the gear pump has failed it could send hydraulic fluid into the engine which could causing the burnt oil smell you noticed. Did you or the dealer check engine oil level to see if it is overfull? Otherwise, a loose suction line connection or slight crack in the steel suction line could cause the low power, not the oil smell without having an external leak show.

powerscol · Nov 30, 2011

Thanks SSdoxie

I called the dealer late today - finally got through.
They think it is the pressure release valve, but have not pulled it apart yet. I will mention your thoughts too as the pressure relief valve would not explain the oil smell as you mention. They think it is this part, as the motor does not bog down when put under full lifting load - releasing pressure early.

Oil level was normal the last time I checked, but will have the dealer recheck before they service.

The help here is great - thanks again
Keith

PS where is everyone getting their filters for their CT 235. I am fine with online ordering, brand name or certified aftermarket. Also looking for quick connect pallet forks (Christmas present to myself)

galaxie428 · Nov 30, 2011

I buy my filters at the dealer as they are just as cheap as anyone else. Some dealers are cheaper than others. I am not sure anyone has been able to cross reference the hydraulic filters, only the oil.

There are many of us that use alternatives to the hydro fluid though because the Bobcat fluid is expensive. I personally use Connoco Powertran. There are lots of discussions on this topic on this site if you search for it.

As far as forks, get something light so it doesn't hurt your lift capacity too much. I bought some skid steer forks because I got them at a very good price but they are really heavy and limit what I can lift. Again, there is a lot of good info in the attachments forum on forks. I think a lot of people like the ones from everythingattachments.com, they are a sponsor on here. They have a set of compact tractor forks that are only 200lbs but will handle more than your loader will anyway. Here is the link to those. They are a little pricey but I think most people like them.

Construction Attachments 42" Compact Tractor loader Pallet Forks CAL-1PFCMPSM42

catdozer · Nov 30, 2011

PS where is everyone getting their filters for their CT 235. I am fine with online ordering, brand name or certified aftermarket. Also looking for quick connect pallet forks (Christmas present to myself)[/QUOTE]

Try Filter 1 great Wix filters never had a problem, they come from New York and if you order $50 or more free shipping and no tax, they got every filter for anything you got, cars, trucks, atv, utv, and all heavy equipment. Then if you got a problem with anything ship it back and full refund, when you order ask for the ordering catalog every machine and vechicle in their, with the numbers for fuel filters, oil, hydraulic, etc. Try them out won't be disappointed.

J_J · Nov 30, 2011

First thing I would do is install a hyd gage in the system ane it will help you trouble shoot your hyd system.

How many hyd pumps on your tractor?

If the pump is good, and the valve is good, then the pump is pumping and the fluid has to go somewhere, and if the valve routes the fluid to a cyl, the cyl should move. That being said, the flow from the cyl should not be blocked anywhere.

If the relief in the FEL vale is stuck open, your lift circuits can not develop the necessary power, and the fluid will get hot.

Does you 3pt system work correctly? If so, that means that your pump is good.

powerscol · Nov 30, 2011

J J

3 point works fine

Checked back with dealer this morning - service is out again on a call. Seems the contractors and loud owners get service first. I try to be patient.

Hopefully they will make it right, both fixed and cut me a deal on the pickup and delivery charge. I need to get me a trailer to haul the beast around, or find a neighbor willing to let me borrow one.

Thanks

DK35vince · Nov 30, 2011

powerscol said:
Checked back with dealer this morning - service is out again on a call. Seems the contractors and loud owners get service first.

I'm sure they do.
But there is no excuse for taking over 4 weeks to fix that tractor!

SSdoxie · Nov 30, 2011

powerscol said:
J J

3 point works fine

Checked back with dealer this morning - service is out again on a call. Seems the contractors and loud owners get service first. I try to be patient.

Hopefully they will make it right, both fixed and cut me a deal on the pickup and delivery charge. I need to get me a trailer to haul the beast around, or find a neighbor willing to let me borrow one.

Thanks

After 4 weeks, sounds to me like you need to become one of the LOUD customers. If you can;t get any satisfaction form the dealer, go to Bobcat.com in their contact information and either call the 800 number or send email to voice your concerns. The local service rep will either be in contact with you or the dealer within 24 hrs.

DKXJ · Dec 1, 2011

Back when I bought my CT230, it took 5 months to get delivered. After 4 months of getting the run around, I called Bobcat directly and they contacted the dealer who in turn called me 2 hours after my initial contact with bobcat. My tractor was bumped in priority and I got regular updates from the dealer after that.

I was concerned with upsetting my dealer, but there comes a point when you just don't care. Whats the worse that can happen? it takes him 4 more weeks to fix your tractor? Seems like that would be status quo from the sounds of it.

Canada_CT230 · Dec 1, 2011

Wow...my dealer in Morden, Manitoba got my tractor in 2 weeks after I ordered it. When I had the oil cooler crack problem I had a replacement cooler taken off another dealership machine to keep me going (snow storm coming). Even ordering implements has only been a week or two. Sounds like bad dealers...I doubt that Bobcat wants you to have a crappy experience.

I always follow this motto...A happy customer goes away happy. A dissatisfied customer goes away angry and tell 30 people about their bad experience.

As a business owner...what do you want? Your dealer may have broken glass up his wazzu and too much business. Those places need a reality check and a bankruptcy.

lilranch2001 · Dec 1, 2011

J_J said:
First thing I would do is install a hyd gage in the system ane it will help you trouble shoot your hyd system.

How many hyd pumps on your tractor?

If the pump is good, and the valve is good, then the pump is pumping and the fluid has to go somewhere, and if the valve routes the fluid to a cyl, the cyl should move. That being said, the flow from the cyl should not be blocked anywhere.

If the relief in the FEL vale is stuck open, your lift circuits can not develop the necessary power, and the fluid will get hot.

Does you 3pt system work correctly? If so, that means that your pump is good.

Question, what part of the hydraulic circuit would be a good location for the gage?

I have often wanted to put one in, but isnt different pressure circuits different pressures?

SSdoxie · Dec 1, 2011

To test the loader, rear remote, 3 pt circuit put a male QD on the guage and unplug one of the couplers going to the loader plug the guage in and run that function. If you have rear remotes just plug guage into 1 of those couplers and run that function. The 3 pt runs off the same pump circuit but has a lower relief setting there is a plug for testing in the rocker shaft housing next to the MLS (position control valve).

wdchyd · Dec 1, 2011

Keith,

Your dealer should be doing a flow/pressure/load test to rule out possible pump problem...(They SHOULD have the equipment to test the pump)........if it passes the test OK, then look for the trouble downstream from that point (relief valve in FEL?)....

Although, being the dealer, they should've already tested your unit like this anyways.......

Kubota Flow/Load Meter Test - Tractor Videos - Kubota, John Deere, New Holland and More

Bill

J_J · Dec 2, 2011

lilranch2001; said:
Question, what part of the hydraulic circuit would be a good location for the gage?

I have often wanted to put one in, but isnt different pressure circuits different pressures?

About pressure gages.

If the circuits have QD's, then you make up a 3000 psi hyd pressure test set like these two. The gages are only about $15.

If you have a single pump system, then you can mount a pressure gage on the FEL valve IN port so you can see it and monitor the hyd system.

By knowing the flow rate and pressures in your hyd system you can do some logical trouble shooting.

powerscol · Dec 3, 2011

Update
Dealer actually took it to another dealer because they were swamped with work. They are doing full flow and pressure tests on all systems. Hopefully I will know more Monday. They are still focusing on one of the several pressure release limiting valves

powerscol · Dec 13, 2011

Well....what can I say - were close to 6 weeks now and I still do not have my tractor. Now it is waiting on the 50 hour service......but he hast to get room in his shop, so once again I am on the list.

I called Bobcat Customer Service. They seemed very concerned with my situation, so we shall see what happens. Its snowing too, so I need the unit back.

I asked for a service quote, but service manager could only guess at the $500 mark. Seems a bit stiff to me, but Ill look here to see if that is fair.

I now have the dealers owner cell number - Ill wait to see if customer service can resolve before calling.

Thanks for the help so far