Rear remotes troubleshooting question - BX 2380

[tractorshopper]

Finally went and picked up my parts to use the hydraulic top-link. I added the rear remote option when I bought the tractor, but haven't had a chance to use it or even finish setting it up yet. Had trouble finding the right male adapters to match, but we got all that resolved and hoses made up yesterday.

So, I have a rear remote series of 4 females on the machine to tie into lined up vertically, so I'll refer to them here as #1, 2, 3, and 4 from the top down. They are on a plate that is tied into the ROPS for stability. I have two levers in the panel on the fender. My assumption is 1 and 2 combine to the first lever closest to me and 3 and 4 combine to the 2nd lever.

If I can't figure this out, I can take back to dealer for troubleshooting no problem, just don't want to waste his time if I can fix myself. This is my first set of remotes on any of my tractors, so it could easily be my limited understanding of operation.

I hooked my top link up to #3 and 4 initially based on the geometry of my quick hitch and the fact that I did not add elbows to my male quick connect (which i will do). One hose it tight because I didn't think about not having a 90 there and the hose has like 3" of metal going straight out the back.

Anyway, what I am seeing is #3 pushes great, but #4 moves very very slowly. If I reverse 3 and 4, then #3 pulls great, but #4 pushes very very slowly. So I tried 1 and 2 with the same outcome.

Any idea why one series works quickly and can be feathered in one direction, while the other series moves very slowly as if under great strain?

 

[oldnslo]

when You connected the lines did moving the same lever try and extend and retract the cylinder? If yes then you had it connected correctly.

Possible cause for slow movement is an orifice or restriction built into your link

 

[tractorshopper]

when You connected the lines did moving the same lever try and extend and retract the cylinder? If yes then you had it connected correctly.

Possible cause for slow movement is an orifice or restriction built into your link

Yes, the same lever extends and retracts for the top 2, then another lever does the bottom two. I reversed the hoses on both 1 and 2 and then on 3 and 4 with the same results each time. When configured one way, the ram extends quickly but will pull back very very slowly. When hoses are switched to the same 2 ports, the ram pulls back very quickly, but then takes a long time to extend.

I believe you are correct that there must be a restriction in the orifice. I say that because both sets of remotes have identical issue in one direction.

Talked to mechanic at dealership Friday; he said if I can't resolve it, just bring it back in and they'll correct.

I couldn't resolve it this weekend so will be taking it back in.

 

[LD1]

Define moving slow?

oldnslo is correct that alot of toplinks are built with a restrictor to slow the movement intentionally

 

[tractorshopper]

LD, I haven't timed it, but basically could take a minute or more to fully extend (or retract depending on which hose is in which port). This is a small actuator on a small tractor; probably only moving about 8 inches. It is under strain to move in the one direction, but not under any strain to move in the other. One way moves just like you'd expect; full extension or retraction in a matter of seconds with the ability to feather that and slow it down.

 

[oldnslo]

Yes, the same lever extends and retracts for the top 2, then another lever does the bottom two. I reversed the hoses on both 1 and 2 and then on 3 and 4 with the same results each time. When configured one way, the ram extends quickly but will pull back very very slowly. When hoses are switched to the same 2 ports, the ram pulls back very quickly, but then takes a long time to extend.

Tractor,
What you are describing here does not sound like an orifice issue since it will move rapidly in both directions. I would lean towards one of your quick disconnect ends not mating correctly since you stated that you had difficulty in finding the correct male ends. On the direction where it does not move try featuring the control to slowly start moving the top link and see if you always have restriction or will travel unto a certain speed smoothly and then stop. Also look at the hoses, do both of them get stiff with pressure when the link is moving slowly? This would also point towards a restriction in the outlet QD assembly.

Can you just loop a hose between ports 3 & 4 to see what happens?

 

[tractorshopper]

Just to update this old thread:

I received a PM recently from GordonE on here who had the exact same issue and was looking for some input. Regretably, I've just been dealing with it and have never taken it back to the dealership for a fix. It's been aggravating, but since it would eventually get where I wanted it, I just kept telling my dealer I'd get it in at some point to be fixed and didn't do anything else, therefore, I wasn't any help to Gordon at all.

Well, Gordon didn't sit idle. I think I got another PM the next day after telling him I never did fix the issue that he figured it out himself. He made sure then to give me the fix he found (which is why this site is awesome; people helping each other). The levers weren't set perfectly to center in the slots they are to run back and forth in and there is really no extra room there, so when moving in one direction, there was just enough room to actuate the valve properly, but in the other direction, the lever would run out of travel just shy of what it needed to fully actuate. Therefore the fix was to line up the levers and adjust them to perfect center in the slots, leaving just enough room in both directions to get proper travel. Truth be told, the slots could probably stand to have another 1/2" or more of travel allowance and they may even work better still and give you a little grace/slop room in the event this keeps happening. If there had been another little bit of travel allowed, this issue wouldn't have crept up. I had to look closely after knowing what the fix was to even notice my levers weren't centered perfectly because they were close to center already.

Thanks again Gordon.