L3540 HST/LA514 Hydraulic issue

[bxchapm]

Hey everyone. New Tractor owner (1 yr) and pretty new subscriber here. I have reviewed many threads for various tips/tricks and appreciate all the knowledge and helpfulness here. Soliciting a bit of help here. Lost the loader down function about a week and a half ago. Tilt, Curl and up functions work. I have replaced two QD couplers (including one male side on the lowering line) that seemed to have frozen nipples. All QDs are connected. I did have to release pressure on the lowering line to disconnect the coupler. Swapped lines and that did not help. I then removed the detent plug, cleaned and replaced. No luck. I did have ability to lower, raise, tilt and curl (at one point) without the cover on the linkage. I then replaced the detent cover and lost lowering function. I could not repeat the ability to lower with it off again. I checked the joystick and linkage there and do not see anything loose or missing. The joystick acts like it is stuck in float position and does not appear to engage and feels loose when moving to lower position. I do have the Detent Kit Plug coming but am struggling to see how to remove the Valve assembly in order to check the linkage going from the detent to the underbody section connecting the joystick. Sorry for such a long post but I see putting out as much info as possible can lead to a quicker solution. Any suggestion or help is greatly appreciated.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sounds like you have a broken spool inside the valve or you have a cable or linkage issue.

 

[200mph]

Swapped lines and that did not help.

Can you better describe what lines were swapped and the results?

Perhaps:
Swap the up/down lines first. What happens? Return the lines back to original after done testing.

Swap the up/down lines with the tilt/curl lines. What happens.

Report back what happens during each test sequence.

 

[bxchapm]

Thanks, Wolfman. I am hoping that is not case. Trying to move through the simpler and lesser expensive solves first.

 

[bxchapm]

Thanks, 200MPH. Sorry for the delays. Winter coming and a ton of firewood to prepare.

I have done as suggested and saw the following results.

Swapped up (white) and down (yellow) hoses; Lost function to both

Swapped up and down with Tilt (blue) and curl (red); had Lift function in both. No lowering capability. (However, after turning off the tractor and wiggling joystick, was able to lower bucket.)

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks, 200MPH. Sorry for the delays. Winter coming and a ton of firewood to prepare.

I have done as suggested and saw the following results.

Swapped up (white) and down (yellow) hoses; Lost function to both

Swapped up and down with Tilt (blue) and curl (red); had Lift function in both. No lowering capability. (However, after turning off the tractor and wiggling joystick, was able to lower bucket.)

If you've swapped the 2 tilt lines for the 2 lift lines and still do not have drop then you have a QD issue on the line side or maybe even a collapsing or otherwise failing line issue.

But double check your results as REgen on the valve dump can give odd results if the loader control was not moved completely.

 

[bxchapm]

If you've swapped the 2 tilt lines for the 2 lift lines and still do not have drop then you have a QD issue on the line side or maybe even a collapsing or otherwise failing line issue.

But double check your results as REgen on the valve dump can give odd results if the loader control was not moved completely.

Thanks, Wolfman. I should also mention that I did need to bleed the Yellow line of pressure to get the coupler to release. Forgive my newbee ignorance, which would be the "line Side" ?

(not sure if this attachment works)

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks, Wolfman. I should also mention that I did need to bleed the Yellow line of pressure to get the coupler to release. Forgive my newbee ignorance, which would be the "line Side" ?

View attachment 46148 (not sure if this attachment works)

The line side is the side that's attached to the loader.
So from the pictures the female coupler side.
It's either the Quick disconnect or the Hose or maybe even an internal issue with the cylinder, I've seen broken pistons that act very strange under pressure.

 

[bxchapm]

The line side is the side that's attached to the loader.
So from the pictures the female coupler side.
It's either the Quick disconnect or the Hose or maybe even an internal issue with the cylinder, I've seen broken pistons that act very strange under pressure.

Thanks again, Wolfman. Gives me additional to track. I’ll come back and report what I find.

 

[bxchapm]

Hi all, wanted to circle back and let everyone know what the final resolution turned out to be. After chasing the hydraulics, turns out that the hydraulic load lever (Joystick) cable was operating on a single or minimal internal wire strands. Did finally completely break and lost lift function as well. Part has been ordered to replace. Did some temporary repairs (ie..soldering and strengthening cable) and got all working. Happy that it was not the Valve. Appreciate all the help and assistance.

 

[200mph]

Glad to hear it wasn't anything major (internal).

Thanks for completing the thread with your findings!