Can't reattach backhoe to BX23S

[nourishablegecko]

I have a BX23S that I took the backhoe off of to attach a box blade, which I've been using for a few weeks. I went to go reattach the backhoe today and everything was going fine; I was able to reconnect the hydraulic lines, use the backhoe to lift itself back into position, and as I was trying to lock the pivot points back together, I pretty much lost all hydraulic power in the backhoe. The pump whines and I can feel the lines move, but the actual function on the boom, bucket, or lifters is very weak to the point it can't do anything. I tried bringing up the RPMs, disconnecting and reconnecting the hydraulic lines, and nothing. Now, when I try to reconnect the hydraulic lines, I can't even reconnect them (I'm guessing due to the heat/pressure of the fluid in the lines).

Any ideas whats going on? The FEL works fine, I see no leaks in any lines, and my hydraulic fluid is at a good level. It was working fine until it just... stopped.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I have a BX23S that I took the backhoe off of to attach a box blade, which I've been using for a few weeks. I went to go reattach the backhoe today and everything was going fine; I was able to reconnect the hydraulic lines, use the backhoe to lift itself back into position, and as I was trying to lock the pivot points back together, I pretty much lost all hydraulic power in the backhoe. The pump whines and I can feel the lines move, but the actual function on the boom, bucket, or lifters is very weak to the point it can't do anything. I tried bringing up the RPMs, disconnecting and reconnecting the hydraulic lines, and nothing. Now, when I try to reconnect the hydraulic lines, I can't even reconnect them (I'm guessing due to the heat/pressure of the fluid in the lines).

Any ideas whats going on? The FEL works fine, I see no leaks in any lines, and my hydraulic fluid is at a good level. It was working fine until it just... stopped.

Connecting and disconneecting the hoses with the engine running is a big no-no!!! Shut the engine off and make sure the 3pt control lever is in the full down position.

Dan

 

[nourishablegecko]

Connecting and disconneecting the hoses with the engine running is a big no-no!!! Shut the engine off and make sure the 3pt control lever is in the full down position.

Dan

Sorry, I should have made it clear that the engine was not running anytime I was connecting/disconnecting hoses. I can't recall if the 3pt control lever was fully down though, so I will try that. Thank you!

 

[TheOldHokie]

Sorry, I should have made it clear that the engine was not running anytime I was connecting/disconnecting hoses. I can't recall if the 3pt control lever was fully down though, so I will try that. Thank you!

And double check that loader. If the hoses are not connected how is it working?

Dan

 

[Donystoy]

I also make a habit of running the loader controls through all functions to release any residual pressure after I shut the engine off.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I also make a habit of running the loader controls through all functions to release any residual pressure after I shut the engine off.

Those hoses are open to tank - no residual pressure in them.

Dan

 

[John T]

I have a BX23S that I took the backhoe off of to attach a box blade, which I've been using for a few weeks. I went to go reattach the backhoe today and everything was going fine; I was able to reconnect the hydraulic lines, use the backhoe to lift itself back into position, and as I was trying to lock the pivot points back together, I pretty much lost all hydraulic power in the backhoe. The pump whines and I can feel the lines move, but the actual function on the boom, bucket, or lifters is very weak to the point it can't do anything. I tried bringing up the RPMs, disconnecting and reconnecting the hydraulic lines, and nothing. Now, when I try to reconnect the hydraulic lines, I can't even reconnect them (I'm guessing due to the heat/pressure of the fluid in the lines).

Any ideas whats going on? The FEL works fine, I see no leaks in any lines, and my hydraulic fluid is at a good level. It was working fine until it just... stopped.

I would check the hydraulic filter screen ..... sometimes sh*t happens for no reason.

either that or the pump gave up the ghost.

as far as reconnecting the lines, make sure the backhoe has not sagged.... if so, crack the fitting with a wrench to release pressure. this will allow you to reconnect the lines.

 

[John T]

Connecting and disconneecting the hoses with the engine running is a big no-no!!!

as far as I read, he never did that.

 

[John T]

..............

 

[TheOldHokie]

as far as I read, he never did that.

Depends on what you think this means.

"I tried bringing up the RPMs, disconnecting and reconnecting the hydraulic lines, and nothing."

When questioned he clarified it.

His pump is working fine - he can't get the hoe fully connected and he is deadheading the system.

Dan

 

[BAP]

And double check that loader. If the hoses are not connected how is it working?

Dan

He Never said that the loader was not connected. You are reading Too Much into he post just like you did with JT

 

[TheOldHokie]

He Never said that the loader was not connected. You are reading Too Much into he post just like you did with JT

Nobody said or even implied anything about the loader being disconnected Now you are reading things into what I wrote. Thats very easy for most people to do.

He said the loader works and he cant get the backhoe hoses connected. That is not possible and I asked for clarification but used an ambiguous reference to hoses. Hence your interpretation.

Now I am going to mount my soap box.

I try hard to not read things into what people write. I parse it and identify ambiquities or inconsistencies most people dont even see. I made my living authoring, editing, and reading technical documentation and I am pretty good at identifying bad structure. I work hard to avoid ambiguities in what I write. I often restate the subject of a previous statement rather than use antecedents like "it" or "they". I avoid combining unrelated thoughts in a single sentence or even a paragraph. People think I am being needlessly wordy or repetitive. Thats because people (repeated subject) are accustomed to casual conversation that is rife with ambiguities that can be deadly in technical descriptions. I dont always get it (ambiguous reference) right as in the example above but after decades of practice I think I am better than most. Call it OCD if you like. It drives my wife crazy.

Dan

 

[John T]

He Never said that the loader was not connected. You are reading Too Much into he post just like you did with JT

Interpretation of non descriptive posts is not easy...
I've been publicly chastised for flaming people for not explaining things properly....

I think it was Jiminy Cricket that sang "if you can't say something nice"

I never cared for crickets.... They make a lot of noise and spit tobacco juice...

 

[TheOldHokie]

Interpretation of non descriptive posts is not easy...
I've been publicly chastised for flaming people for not explaining things properly....

See my response to BAP. The english language and common conversation in particular is horribly imprecise.

Dan

 

[hagrid]

A couple of times I, Spraynard, had trouble reconnecting teh backhoe to my lawn mower.

In both instances the weight of the hoe caused the boom cylinder to bottom out over time. That condition prevented me from connecting the couplers of one of three hoses. I had to use a floor jack to unload yon cylinder. Now I leave a cat piece under the boom pivot.

 

[TheOldHokie]

A couple of times I, Spraynard, had trouble reconnecting teh backhoe to my lawn mower.

In both instances the weight of the hoe caused the boom cylinder to bottom out over time. That condition prevented me from connecting the couplers of one of three hoses. I had to use a floor jack to unload yon cylinder. Now I leave a cat piece under the boom pivot.

Sir Spraynard,

I applaud that excellent description of your experience. You covered the essential elements with splendid precision. Of course we expect no less from a Wizard of your rank.

Would it be to much for a lowling to heg of you an explanation of the evil sorcery that allows a sagging load to cause such unpleasantness?

Your Humble Apprentice

 

[William1]

Once, putting my BH back on, I did not fully engage one of the hose couplers. Assuming it was right, I fired up the tractor and attempted to get the BH on. No Bueno. After a few minutes, I discovered my 'oppssie' and had to release line pressure. After I resolved it, the BH functions returned and I was able to get it back on.
As an aside, I eventually got a BH dolly that 'contains the BH' nicely and does not allow it to further settle. I have also firmly ratchet strapped the outriggers up.
Best of luck to @nourishablegecko and keep us updated. One persons problem becomes another's solution.

 

[nourishablegecko]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I tried again this morning with a clear head and rotated the hydraulic sticks around like @Donystoy suggested, made sure the 3 point control lever was fully down (like @TheOldHokie suggested), disconnected each hydraulic line, cleaned it thoroughly with a clean rag, reconnected each hose (which was much easier today, I'm guessing because the pressure was a little released and everything was cool?), and my hydraulic pressure was immediately resolved. I was able to use the boom to lift the backhoe back into position and lock it in place.

Thank you again to everyone here, I appreciate everyone who chimed in.

 

[hagrid]

Sir Spraynard,

I applaud that excellent description of your experience. You covered the essential elements with splendid precision. Of course we expect no less from a Wizard of your rank.

Would it be to much for a lowling to heg of you an explanation of the evil sorcery that allows a sagging load to cause such unpleasantness?

Your Humble Apprentice

Honestly, I'm not sure why it's such a PITA when the boom cylinder is bottomed. That cylinder has a special property during operation: when raising the boom the cylinder(?) throttles it's own rate when approaching the collapsed position.

Without further evidence I can only assume that's where the issue lies.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Honestly, I'm not sure why it's such a PITA when the boom cylinder is bottomed. That cylinder has a special property during operation: when raising the boom the cylinder(?) throttles it's own rate when approaching the collapsed position.

Without further evidence I can only assume that's where the issue lies.

If you will allow me.

With the hoses disconnected the BH hydraulic system is closed. Any residual pressures in the cylinders are initially held by the spools in the valves snd reconnecting the couplers is no problem. But spools leak and pretty quickly that pressure bleeds back into the neutral circuit of the backhoe valve. With no place to go that pressure is seen by the backhoe couplers and reconnection becomes difficult.

Or so I speculate...