L3430 loader valve sticking when cold

[dane6165]

Hello everyone....

Has anyone had the problem with thier loader valve sticking when it is cold, say about the mid 20's or colder?

Here is the strange part... the loader moves up and rolls the bucket back with no problem and at normal speed as soon as tractor is started but plunger in the loader valve sticks and will not move in the directions to lower and dump the bucket.

After the tractor has warmed up about 10-15 minutes the loader valve will slowly start to move slightly in the stuck directions and after another 5-10 minutes be fully functional.

This happened last winter too, but works flawlessly in warmer weather.

Any idea what is going on????

 

[Milo Holroyd]

My first guess would be water in the return spring housings. At the front of the spools, there are spring covers, and detent balls for the float position.

Milo

 

[eserv]

Milo is exactly right! be sure to catch those balls when you remove the cap. Clean it all up and pack it with lubriplate when you reassemble it.
Ed

 

[dane6165]

Thanks guys....
That sure makes sense.

Can a small hole be drilled in the housing to prevent this in the future?

I'm not sure where the return spring housings are on the valve but I think I can figure it out. I looked online for a parts diagram of the loader valve but found nothing.

The tractor has always been garage kept and has never been left outside in the rain. The water must have been from washing?