Need help on loder control valve

bbse · May 1, 2006

I have a Great Bend GB260. I picked it up last year on a kioti LK3054. It works Ok but the dump cycle was really slow. I have been playing with the loader control and if I hold it in just the right place the loader dumps at what I would call normal speed but it is hard to hold it in that exact location. Also it is hard to do one movement at a time, i.e. up, down, roll bucket, etc. It wants to lift or lower as well as roll. The unit is about 11 years old and the tractor was weathered when I got it. I was wondering if I could just rebuild or fix this control valve or should I just buy a new one. I have not tore into it yet. I am not afraid to, I just rebuilt the tractor over the winter...... Or is it just adjustments or fine tuning. I will say NOTHING on this tractor looked like it had been service since 1995 when it was new. Could it be trash in the valve or something like this?

MadReferee · May 2, 2006

Your problem could be many things including the following: <ul type="square"> [*]Low hydraulic flow [*]Worn internal valve parts [*]The actual design of the valve internals [/list] If everything worked at one time it's probably worn parts. However, I suspect that it is a combination of low hydraulic flow and the actual valve design. Replacing the valve might improve things but I would check hydraulic flow and pressures first.

Egon · May 2, 2006

I had some loader control valve problems. The service manger stated that very little ever went wrong with the actuall valve.

They replaced the worn external controls and all worked well. Problem solved.

Egon

bbse · May 2, 2006

Thanks for the replies. Since it moves quickly in some directions and since the bucket will move quicker when I hold the valve in just the right place I do not think it is pressure. I hope it is the valve if I can just rebuild it or I hope it is not the valve if it is expensive and requires replacement. As to the design aspect, I doubt Great Bend did it wrong. I have never heard anything bad about them. I am certain this is either wear or age related, I was hoping someone else had this same experience. When I get a chance I will take a closer look at the valve.

bbse · May 2, 2006

FYI, I spoke with Don at Great Bend (now owned by Bush Hog) and he informed me that the GB 240, 260 series used knuckle joints on the joystick. He was very informative and helpful. I am going to tear into it soon. Just wanted to post this so that future seachers could find it.