My loader won’t stay up?

MAArcher

Active member

Equipment
Kubota B8200
Oct 6, 2022
109
43
28
New England
If I park my tractor with the loader in the full up position over night, in the morning it’s halfway down. The loader also seems like it’s weaker than it used to be. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot and diagnose the issue? Thanks!
 

MAArcher

Active member

Equipment
Kubota B8200
Oct 6, 2022
109
43
28
New England
And I have no experience with hydraulics so don’t know where to even start. Fluid is full and looks clean. No external leaks.
 

TheOldHokie

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And I have no experience with hydraulics so don’t know where to even start. Fluid is full and looks clean. No external leaks.
You are expecting too much. The loader is acting normally.

To evaluate the possible loss of power you need to invest in a 3000 PSI pressure gauge - $20.

Dan
 
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DustyRusty

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If I park my tractor with the loader in the full up position over night, in the morning it’s halfway down. The loader also seems like it’s weaker than it used to be. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot and diagnose the issue? Thanks!
I have a similar problem. I suggest that you see Alice, just don't go to Hellen Waite!
 
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GreensvilleJay

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It's a really,really BAD idea to leave ANY loader 'up' when you're not operating the tractor.
 
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mendonsy

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B7500HST/LA302
May 28, 2012
350
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I just had the cylinders on my loader rebuilt by my local dealer. I parked the tractor with the loader about 2" off the ground to just to test it. When I went back to use the tractor after 4 days the loader had not moved at all.
 
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William1

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BX25D
Jul 28, 2015
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It's a really,really BAD idea to leave ANY loader 'up' when you're not operating the tractor.
++++2
Never store any machine with any component raised. It is a terrible accident just waiting to happen. Even if it does not settle on its' own, imagine a couple of kids screwing around. One under the bucket looking at bugs and another fiddling with the controls. A 1 in a million but that is 10X too many.
 
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MAArcher

Active member

Equipment
Kubota B8200
Oct 6, 2022
109
43
28
New England
++++2
Never store any machine with any component raised. It is a terrible accident just waiting to happen. Even if it does not settle on its' own, imagine a couple of kids screwing around. One under the bucket looking at bugs and another fiddling with the controls. A 1 in a million but that is 10X too many.
Not something I normally do, but I was using the tractor to hold something in place over night. When I normally park it I let all the hydraulic pressure off the loader and 3pt.
 

MAArcher

Active member

Equipment
Kubota B8200
Oct 6, 2022
109
43
28
New England
I just had the cylinders on my loader rebuilt by my local dealer. I parked the tractor with the loader about 2" off the ground to just to test it. When I went back to use the tractor after 4 days the loader had not moved at all.
the video I just watched shows a trick to tell if it’s the bucket curl or lift booms or control valve that’s leaking by swapping line positions into the valve block. It didn’t sound like noticeable leaking over a short amount of time was normal.

When I get a chance I’m going to grab a test gauge and also try the swap trick to try and figure out if some seals need replacement. Hopefully it’s not too big a job.
 

TheOldHokie

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the video I just watched shows a trick to tell if it’s the bucket curl or lift booms or control valve that’s leaking by swapping line positions into the valve block. It didn’t sound like noticeable leaking over a short amount of time was normal.

When I get a chance I’m going to grab a test gauge and also try the swap trick to try and figure out if some seals need replacement. Hopefully it’s not too big a job.
ALL spool valves leak and thats what you are seeing.

Your lift cylinder seals could be blown to hell and it would not change anything. They are not needed to hold the loader up.

Dan
 
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D2Cat

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Kubota has a spec for amount of movement and distance of travel to be considered normal. I don't recall what it is specifically, but it's more then one would think. I'm confident yours is well within that range.

Many moons ago I was helping an older man with some farm work. He had, I think, a Ford 50 Hp tractor with a loader. He quit for lunch, went in the house and ate, when he came back out his dog was under the loader dead! It left an impression on me, never leave a loader up.
 
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Mowbizz

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Bx25d
Aug 19, 2021
513
294
63
New Hampshire
Urologists deal with it as well. My uncle is Dr. Assman.
Tell me about it! I had a bad “walnut” taken out of my lower belly a year ago…had to have a special “bag” installed to catch my leaked down “hydraulic fluid” 🤣 I wasn’t under warranty either!😞
 
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DustyRusty

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Tell me about it! I had a bad “walnut” taken out of my lower belly a year ago…had to have a special “bag” installed to catch my leaked down “hydraulic fluid” 🤣 I wasn’t under warranty either!😞
The good news is you lived to tell the tale. (y)
 
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MAArcher

Active member

Equipment
Kubota B8200
Oct 6, 2022
109
43
28
New England
You are expecting too much. The loader is acting normally.

To evaluate the possible loss of power you need to invest in a 3000 PSI pressure gauge - $20.

Dan
After a little asking around, it kind of sounds like leak down in the curl cylinders is more common than in the lift cylinders. Does that sound right?

Any recommendations for a gauge and how to figure out what adapters I'd need for my machine?

Thanks
 

TheOldHokie

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ALL spool valves leak and thats what you are seeing.

Your lift cylinder seals could be blown to hell and it would not change anything. They are not needed to hold the loader up.

Swapping

Dan
After a little asking around, it kind of sounds like leak down in the curl cylinders is more common than in the lift cylinders. Does that sound right?

Any recommendations for a gauge and how to figure out what adapters I'd need for my machine?

Thanks
Leakdown on the lift cylinders is caused by imternal spool leakage in the valve.

Leakdown on the curl cyinders is caused by internsl leakage in the valve AND by leakage of the piston seals.

Dont spend a bunch of money on a gauge. There.are dozens of 3000 PSI glycerin filled gauges on Amazon in the $20 range.

Adapters are going to vary depending on what part of the system you are checking. A good starting point is a short 1/4" hose with JIC female swivel ends and a female NPT to male JIC adapter to hook the gauge to the hose. Kubota likes. to use #8 JIC fittings on their loaders. Tractor side plumbing is usually BSP.

Dan
 
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TheOldHokie

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windyridgefarm.us
After a little asking around, it kind of sounds like leak down in the curl cylinders is more common than in the lift cylinders. Does that sound right?

Any recommendations for a gauge and how to figure out what adapters I'd need for my machine?

Thanks
Personally I think a gauge is essential equipment for anyone working on actractor. But I am wondering what the problem is that you are planning on using ot on.

Dan