Loader Hydraulics Leak Down

ssimmons · Apr 7, 2012

I have a new Kubota B2320 and I've noticed that the mower and front end loader will "leak down" meaning that if I raise the front end loader it starts descending downward on its own fairly quickly. Is this normal? In a quarter mile it will drop at least 6 inches.

devildog1 · Apr 7, 2012

Humn, No I don't think that is right. When I had my BX23TLB I installed a edge guard protector and painted the edge Kubota orange. left the bucket up a few inches overnight, did not drop over night. Check your Hyd fluid level.
DevilDog

ssimmons · Apr 7, 2012

Yeh, the hydraulic fluid level was the first thing I checked.

devildog1 · Apr 7, 2012

Some leak down is to be expected such as backhoes and of course full buckets But if yours is leaking down that fast with nothing in the bucket and it is new, and under warranty, call dealer and have them do a check, I would, good luck.
DevilDog

Ford tractor · Apr 7, 2012

Inch a minute is a rule of thumb for when you need to rebuild the cylinder seals. I think the cylinders in the 'bota's are single seal. Real cheap to repair if you have the time & tools.

Seal wear is from dirty oil or rough cylinder rods. (typically) It can also be from water in the oil that separated out over winter and expanded until the seal was blown. If you've over heated the system that could also be the cause. BUT... if it's a low hour machine, I would suspect the seal may have been nicked on installation. Since you say you have a "new" one, that would be my guess. It may be difficult to get the dealer to repair under warranty. They set the bar pretty low on what is "too much", meaning it has to be a gusher almost before they will call it bad.

namesray · Apr 8, 2012

Ford tractor said:
Inch a minute is a rule of thumb for when you need to rebuild the cylinder seals. I think the cylinders in the 'bota's are single seal. Real cheap to repair if you have the time & tools.

Seal wear is from dirty oil or rough cylinder rods. (typically) It can also be from water in the oil that separated out over winter and expanded until the seal was blown. If you've over heated the system that could also be the cause. BUT... if it's a low hour machine, I would suspect the seal may have been nicked on installation. Since you say you have a "new" one, that would be my guess. It may be difficult to get the dealer to repair under warranty. They set the bar pretty low on what is "too much", meaning it has to be a gusher almost before they will call it bad.

my front bucket on my la402 loader was leaking off, especially with load on bucket. i use forks alot to lift logs and block up for firewood and it would just about dump the log before i could cut it. not good. any way my dealer did fix it under warrenty. mine had quite a few hours on it at the time (500+). dealer said they had to clean valves/control. the bucket does still leak down, but no where near as bad. maybe it will vary between dealers. i have a fantastic dealer i deal with. good luck and hope your hydraulic problem gets fixed.