FEL valve problems

[Carroll DuVall]

I recently had an issue with my 2010 L3540 loader.
The joystick would operate correctly when raising or lowering and when dumping but wouldn’t curl the bucket at all. It appeared to be stuck and wouldn’t budge.
After removal and disassembly, I found a broken bypass valve in the dump/curl spool portion of the valve. The stem portion was broken in two pieces and was lodged in the valve body.
Unfortunately, the repair kit for that particular valve (#YW368-00100) was discontinued and a new valve was $1200.
After lots of discussions with two different dealers, I found a replacement rebuild kit that would work on my valve.
The rebuild kit (#YS020-93100) comes with both bypass valves, springs, orings, and caps.
The new bypass valves had substantially larger stems and should hold up much better. Note that you will need to use the new supplied caps.
After reassembly, the loader works almost as good as before. I do notice the bucket won’t hold the curl position unless I operate the joystick occasionally to return it to the curl position.
This is probably due to some scarring on the spool or bore.
I’ve included pics of the original bypass valve and the new one and an invoice for all the orings and sealing washers needed. Total cost for parts was around $200.

The repair required removal of the seat base assembly, right rear tire and fender.
The only “specialty” tool I needed was a 27mm line wrench.
A schematic of the valve will help with disassembly and reassembly.

 

[Carroll DuVall]

 

[TheOldHokie]

View attachment 113147 View attachment 113148

"Bypass valves" had me confused. I think you will find those are called load checks.

Dan

 

[Carroll DuVall]

I’m sure you’re right
There wasn’t a description of them in the rebuild kit

 

[Smokeydog]

Nice write up and details on a major repair issue. Good job.

Wonder if the valve replacement would have had the upgraded parts?

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I’m sure you’re right
There wasn’t a description of them in the rebuild kit

I was a little confused, too. Thanks for posting that, it may save someone else some bucks.

 

[Carroll DuVall]

Nice write up and details on a major repair issue. Good job.

Wonder if the valve replacement would have had the upgraded parts?

I’m not sure that it would
My impression from the what the dealer said was that the kit I bought might have been for a different valve

 

[n1ncha]

I have a B3200 with LA504 loader. Came across this post when I searched for “YW368-00100” and the parts site said my only option was the $1200 full assembly. I went to my dealership and showed them this post. He spent 15 minutes or so looking around and we came to the conclusion that the “YS020-93100” kit should fit my loader if it fit yours. Have you had any issues with it since you installed?
For the next guy this happens to:
My loader handle got stuck in the float position first. It worked for a moment and I was able to get the boom cylinder to lift, but then the handle got jammed. I sort of moved it in a circle then the boom started working but the curl position was now jammed. I thought maybe at first it was the lever lock mechanism getting in the way, but I removed it and noticed the curl spool could not be pushed in at all. I removed the plugs (37) on the valve body and noticed the load check (40) for the bucket spool was totally missing. I got the boom spool out and it looked fine. For the bucket spool I had to be a little rough with it and was finally able to bang it out. I found a broken o ring (23) but no check valve. I had to take off all the hydr lines, remove the whole valve assembly, fill it with brake cleaner and swish it around until the broken pieces came out.