To mdhughes: Great video! Thank you. I found exactly what you found in the video and tightened the linkages and to prevent issues used cotton swab of hydraulic fluid on the top of each piston / dip stick, along with some WD40 on the arm joints. Certainly improved the feel of the controls, but the problems remains. In fact, the reduced arm pull back power became more apparent (when it occurs). It is only this one motion/function (arm retraction); no other functions of the hoe are affected. Anyway, thank you and I welcome other suggestions. PS. I liked and subscribed!
To rentthis: Easy to do, so I will do what you recommend. From what I know, there is only one quick disconnect for the BH77. Since only the one motion/function (arm retraction) is affected, I question if the quick disconnect is the issue. I'l check it and let you now if I find anything.
Today's update: (Just focusing on arm retraction, as all other functions work correctly). With the linkages tightened (thanks mdhuges), I tried digging again. Normally, when I retract the arm with a firm bite in the soil, it will pull the tractor backwards, often times with the stabilizers firmly planted. The problem presents itself this way: pull back on the joy stick (arm retraction) and the arm will start to pull for a microsecond, then feels like it goes limp. I can always lift up and retract the arm, but not with a load. I can then extend the arm and on the next joy stick pull back the arm may have full power or it will repeat the failure. I'd estimate that the failure occurs more than 50% of the time. It's early yet, so I cannot (for sure) say the problem is getting worse (more common), but I suspect it is.
Ideas appreciated!