Outrigger slowly creeps down

[Alan7s]

One outrigger on my LBH won't stay up. Takes a few days but it creeps down, and quicker when in use.
No leaks anywhere but I rebuilt the cylinder anyway. Seals were all fine and inside cyl smooth.
Back together, no change. So I thought it must be the control valve, but the hyd shop guy said
probably not. Other side is fine. Any ideas? By the way it's a Terramite T5C. Thanks

 

[T_e_r_r_y]

If not too much trouble, I would move the creeping outrigger cylinder to the other side. Just to see if it is the cylinder or not.
By the slow creeping down of the cylinder, air or fluid is starting to get by the seals.
I don't mean to sound callous, but did you actually check the valve yourself? Everything tight ,no cracks, levers move easily, both ways, dothey return to center by themselves.
Is there a schematic for the hydraulic system?
Could a seal have gotten worn, ruptured or torn?
Spring getting weak and not returning valve to center position?

T.J.

 

[txdon]

The outriggers on my BH90 Kubota also leak down - from day 1 - it's considered normal and I keep them tied together when not in use. Your machine might be different but it might also be normal.

 

[4570Man]

I keep a ratchet strap across the outriggers when not in operation to prevent them from leaking down.

 

[Alan7s]

I keep a ratchet strap across the outriggers when not in operation to prevent them from leaking down.

Thanks to all for replies. TJ great idea to change the sides. The levers on the valves have good spring, return to center OK. I do have a
good schematic for the hydraulic system. I have not opened the valve to inspect; wasn't sure that was within my abilities, but having rebuilt
all the cylinders without problems, maybe I could do it. Is it possible to remove a single valve, or does the whole assembly need to come apart?

When you refer to a seal getting worn or torn, I assume there are similar seals in the valves that control the cylinders and you are referring to those?
On the other hand, if it's normal, don't want to create problems. Just concerned by the slow "let-down" on only one side while digging.

Thanks again

 

[sea2summit]

I keep a ratchet strap across the outriggers when not in operation to prevent them from leaking down.

That^^

 

[4570Man]

If you lift up the back wheels of the tractor with the stabilizers does it leak down a noticeable amount in like 30 minutes? Leak down is normal on all hydraulics, but it sounds like it is happening pretty fast. My stabilizers leak down a couple inches over a couple weeks. I don't notice any leak down while in operation.

 

[Alan7s]

If you lift up the back wheels of the tractor with the stabilizers does it leak down a noticeable amount in like 30 minutes? Leak down is normal on all hydraulics, but it sounds like it is happening pretty fast. My stabilizers leak down a couple inches over a couple weeks. I don't notice any leak down while in operation.

If it was only a matter of tying it in the up position while parked it would be no problem. But while the outriggers are in use during digging,
the tractor begins to tilt which is a constant reminder (every couple minutes) to hit the lever to raise it back up again. That seems too fast,
especially when the other side will not go down an inch in a month.

 

[4570Man]

There is definitely something wrong. They shouldn't leak a notable amount in the time spent digging.

 

[IceStationZebra]

Normally outriggers have a counterbalance valve, which is the most likely cause. Spool valves do not have positive seals and will always have some leakage. And assuming you have good CB valves, you could leave the seals out of the cylinder and it would only droop a little due to differential area. ISZ