Lumberjack_jeff
New member
Hi to all the experts here - I'm throwing myself on your mercy. I've owned my 1998 NH 1720 w/FEL and BH for about 40 running hours (it has 650 hours). I changed the fluid(s) and filters when I bought it. Now (30 running hours afer fluid change) I'm noticing several erratic behaviors;
1) When I place the fel dump lever in float (dump), sometimes the bucket sticks, or operates "jerkily".
2) Placing the bucket on the ground used to consistently lift the front wheels (BH attached). Now, dumping the bucket with it flat on the ground will usually lift the wheels but lowering the bucket will rarely do the job.
3) The biggest problem - when I try to use the loader for excavating (I know - it's not a bulldozer) the loader bucket will flop without resistance about 20 degrees. The problem with this is that setting the bucket for an appropriate angle of attack for optimum digging is not possible because when driving forward, the bucket rotates to a near-vertical position in which digging is impossible. Also, when backblading with the fel, placing the bucket in a slightly down position enables a smoother grading action. The flop in the bucket makes this impossible.
I have removed and replaced both the fel and BH on the tractor. I find it perfectly believable that I've done something wrong, or that I'm missing something obvious.
My ideas;
1) Is it likely that I've gotten some dirt into the fel hydraulics while removing the bh or Fel?
2) Is there a bleeding/air purge routine to follow when changing the oil or removing equipment?
If yes to either of the above, how should I fix it?
thanks in advance
1) When I place the fel dump lever in float (dump), sometimes the bucket sticks, or operates "jerkily".
2) Placing the bucket on the ground used to consistently lift the front wheels (BH attached). Now, dumping the bucket with it flat on the ground will usually lift the wheels but lowering the bucket will rarely do the job.
3) The biggest problem - when I try to use the loader for excavating (I know - it's not a bulldozer) the loader bucket will flop without resistance about 20 degrees. The problem with this is that setting the bucket for an appropriate angle of attack for optimum digging is not possible because when driving forward, the bucket rotates to a near-vertical position in which digging is impossible. Also, when backblading with the fel, placing the bucket in a slightly down position enables a smoother grading action. The flop in the bucket makes this impossible.
I have removed and replaced both the fel and BH on the tractor. I find it perfectly believable that I've done something wrong, or that I'm missing something obvious.
My ideas;
1) Is it likely that I've gotten some dirt into the fel hydraulics while removing the bh or Fel?
2) Is there a bleeding/air purge routine to follow when changing the oil or removing equipment?
If yes to either of the above, how should I fix it?
thanks in advance