New BX25 left stabilizer slowly going down

[Gee-Pa]

I have a new BX25 with less than 10 hours on it, and I have noticed the left stabilizer slowly lowers itself as the tractor is parked under my shed. It takes several days so I imagine there is a leak somewhere. Before I call the dealership is there any adjustment I can make that will remedy this? Thanks

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I assume your talking about backhoe stabilizers.
It could be a leak, (any puddles?) or linkage adjustment to the spool valve, but most likely it's got a bad seal that's leaking down internally.
If it's under warranty take it back to the dealer and have them fix it.

 

[Kubota_Man]

I have the same issue. 2 different dealers have told me that is normal to have a "Leak down" with all hydraulics (even my bucket on my BH). What I have done is span a rubber (bungee type) strap between the foot pads. I have not had any issues since.

 

[Wildfire]

Ya it's normal. Every back hoe I've ever seen did it including mine. I never gave it a second thought. Kubota_Man got it right. Bungee cord them if parked for an extended time and don't worry about it.

 

[Stubbyie]

Brand new at 10-hrs NOTHING should leak down: should be tight, solid.

If it were mine I'd camp at the dealer until he fixed it to AS NEW specs representative of the price paid for it. Couple thousand hours later your description would be expected, and the bungee cord deal is standard equipment on used iron.

For what it's worth I prowl tractor lots looking for deals. A dealer in my area sells a lot of new green paint. I've seen puddles under new iron right off the truck. Dealer says normal: "All tractors leak." I don't agree, especially when new at premium prices.

If you don't see puddle(s) or wet hoses or fittings, you probably have a piece of trash in the control valve---might work itself out, might not.

Please post back with your experiences so we may all learn--especially about your interaction with your dealer if you choose to go that direction.

 

[Kubota_Man]

According to what both dealers (competing dealers, not sure they even like each other) told me is that brand new there is acceptable leak down. If I remember right (It has been a few years ago) the loader is allowed 1" drop per hour under its own weight.

 

[Wildfire]

According to what both dealers (competing dealers, not sure they even like each other) told me is that brand new there is acceptable leak down. If I remember right (It has been a few years ago) the loader is allowed 1" drop per hour under its own weight.

I agree with you. I've NEVER seen a back hoe not drop an outrigger a small bit when parked. Now if it had a fluid leak well that's a whole different story but a slow fading of the outriggers is perfectly normal. If its not then our Kubota dealer got about 25 brand new BX25D's on there lot that got the same issues fom what I seen yesterday.

 

[Gee-Pa]

Thanks for all the replys & advice. I don't see any fluid or puddles anywhere, that's what is so baffling. I plan on doing some digging this week, I'll see what hapens as I put hours on it. By the way, I am also new to diesel fuel. How long can I let it sit in the tank before I have problems?

 

[Stubbyie]

Do you mean 'let it sit' in the tractor fuel tank or in a bulk tank from which you then fill the tractor as needed?

Realistically, the answer is 'months', maybe longer---look at construction equipment left sit for months the lit and moved to the next job site.

Practically, avoid problems by keeping machine tank full and adding admixture to the fuel.

Organic growth fouling MAY (unlikely) be a problem. If so track down a diesel biocide. May be hard to find but is available. Look for black slime and sulfur odor.

Change filters as you think necessary based on your local fuel condition(s). If you pour from cans and transport and use low-sales-volume diesel sellers expect more problems than if pumping from personally-owned larger bulk tank (inferring more frequent fill-ups).

Find a good diesel cetane enhancer / dewaxer and use it religiously, especially in low-uses machine. I like Stanadyne as recommended by Bosch. Other brands abound.

My opinion is that good diesel admixtures used like clockwork in relatively low-use machines (not 10-hrs a day every day) pays strong dividends.

In summer, due to low-sulfur diesel being produced, even though newer engines are made to use it, I use Stanadyne.

In winter (we see below zero for days on end), I use Stanadyne and Sea Foam together at recommended or higher doses.

Fuel consumption can be erratic due to weather and other (time available) considerations. I buy 150-gals off-road red diesel at the time into my trailer-mount bulk tank. Into each batch I dump one quart of Sta-Bil stabilizer.

I've never had an organic growth problem so don't use biocide.

Some I suspect think my program is overkill. But the few additional dollars spread over many gallons of fuel seems worth it. Personally, I'd rather add a few bucks to fuel rather than fiddle with a down machine and its associated expense and inconvenience.

And, in our winters (severe ice storms repeated frequently) and extreme rural area, the need for a tractor to go on demand can become a major point. Our machines have never failed us.

Please post back with your experiences so we may all learn.

 

[Wildfire]

I went out to the shed Saturday to get the BX and looked at the outriggers. The machine was parked for four weeks and each outrigger was dropped about 3". I'm not worried about it.