M8540 or M5-111 using a Steffens accumulator

[Plane37085]

Anybody out there running a Steffens 950 behind a Kubota M8540 or M6-111? The reason for my question is that my 950 has done fine behind my 8540 for a few years but on this last cutting, the tie arm and push arm are drifting out and blocking the bales from entering the body of the accumulator. I spoke with the Steffens boys and they said that the return hose (big hose) was probably restricted and causing my problem. After buying all new hoses front to rear, the problem is still there. So I got back on the phone with Steffens and they said that I might need some sort of external port on the hydraulic system to run the return hose to.
Also switched to the M6 and it is doing the same thing which leads me to believe that it is not a tractor hydraulic issue. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
BTW the boys at Steffens were absolutely great with helping but came up short because they’re not familiar with my tractors.

 

[Russell King]

I have no idea what you are really talking about so take all of this just as information that might help out.

I assume the “tie arm” and “push arm” are hydraulically controlled (double acting) cylinder driven devices. The double acting means both directions of travel are hydraulically controlled and not spring driven back to starting position. I don’t think that really matters though. They could also be hydraulically driven with a motor???

I assume that they are drifting out due to the hydraulic valve leaking or by a leaking seal on the hydraulic cylinder letting it move the arm out of it’s position causing your problem.

If you have a quick disconnect on the lines to the cylinder you can test the cylinder for internal leakage. Get the cylinder into the retracted position and then disconnect the hydraulic lines at the disconnect. That will capture the oil on both sides of the ram piston, effectively locking it in place. If it moves as you are using the implement then there is internal leakage to that cylinder. If you have no disconnects you could plug the cylinder ports.

There are things called double acting pilot valves that effectively locking a cylinder in place until it is operated from the control valve. That might be what was being discussed. But that attaches to both hoses.

To test the theory about the return line being restricted, you might try routing it directly into the transmission fill port on the tractor. There is probably one at the rear end of the tractor. Just seal it up from anything (dirt, chaff, …) getting into it and make sure the hose can’t get pulled out or you will drain the sump quickly. I don’t see this as the culprit since it has been okay for some time.

You can test for valve leakage by removing the disconnect from the line ends and putting them into a clean dry bucket. Start tractor and run it up to operating RPM and let it run for a minute or two. There should be no fluid coming out of the hoses (except what was coating the interior of the lines so you may see that if they didn’t drip it all out). If there is flowing oil there is an internal leakage in the valve. I would discount this test as a last resort since valves don’t usually leak enough to matter.