Loader Cannot articulate bucket while in Float Mode

[SPYDERLK]

Is this typical? I am pretty sure I can both curl and dump my bucket when the arms are floating.

As is the case with my 7520 as well. ... I did have a problem similar to what the OP states on my wifes kubota tho. Turned out the hyd fluid was low.
larry

 

[J_J]

Float mode does not put the whole valve in float, just the lift spool.

 

[kneedeep]

My 3510 will operate the bucket functions while in float. Its a KMW loader

 

[Shift4200]

Hey guys, seems i've been away and have quite a bit to catch up on.

Arrow: Seems that most everyone that has a Mahindra FEL can do what i'm asking of mine. I think about the guys that use blowers on the front.... would Mahindra really expect you to pull the blower from float to change the angle of discharge? I think not.

Josh: From what i can tell this is a typical use thing that we're doing here. What you "quoted" was what the dealer told me. Obviously a brush off to see if i would just go away.

Spyder: I have, but will again check the level of my hydrolic fluid. I'm not ruling anything out, not even the obvious at this point.

Knee: Seems what you're saying would rule out any limitation of the Mahindra brand loaders. Not that I was suspicious of the loader itself at any point, but any info is good info.


Now for what i have, or actually haven't heard from the dealer. I explained the situation twice now and have had no feedback. The only communication was the brush off that i posted back on 1/27. I do plan to follow up with them today. So far this is my second interaction with the dealer for service and neither has been a breeze.

More to come... I hope.

-J

 

[oldnslo]

Shift4200,
Ask your dealer for a hydraulic schematic of your tractor. I have been doing some research and have seen two different spool types used for float.

One style connects all of the ports to tank. I.e. P, A & B are all connected to tank.
This style would typically not allow any other function to operate while in float since all the flow is going to tank unless your valve does NOT have power beyond. With no power beyond the curl would work but it may also cause the loader to lift slightly since you are now attempting to lift the loader with a regenerative type circuit.

Second style connects ports A & B to tank.

This style would allow all other functions to operate while in the float mode.

 

[aczlan]

Is this typical? I am pretty sure I can both curl and dump my bucket when the arms are floating.

I know that our Kubota B7500 will curl/dump while in float mode. I do it all the time when clearing snow.

Aaron Z

 

[Shift4200]

Hey guys,

Thanks again for all the feedback.

OldnSlo, I will ask the dealer for the schematic. I am also interested in learning more about how my tractor works. This new rig is about 100x more complex than my last tractor. (no hydros on that guy)

Aczlan, you're now about the 10th person to confirm that this feature works on our size/style tractor. In fact I even received a reply from the dealer saying he tested the feature on a new Max and it works as well.

So, an update from the dealer....

He went ahead and tested the bucket "curl" feature while in float mode. Except not on a loader.... He used a snow blower and found he was able to change the angle of discharge while the blower was in float. This confirms that this feature is/was available on my tractor at time of purchase. The next step is a call to Mahindra USA to see how they are going to proceed. I'll likely have a scheduled maintenance done while it's in there. It'll be a little early but figure better to do early than late.

More as it happens....

-J

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I was told that articulating the bucket with float mode engaged is not possible. The valve is not capable of doing it. It was recommended that i get the bucket level before engaging float. I was then reminded that the bucket does not float, just the arms. ....
-J

I've got a Bobcat CT230 with the Bobcat FEL. Bucket can be tilted up and down while in float mode; which is precisely how I use it when clearing snow and ice.

 

[Shift4200]

Well, another chapter to my story.... this time the plot gets a twist.

Went out to clear snow last night, and low and behold... the bucket has decided it wants to work the way it's supposed to. Last time i tried it was Sunday afternoon and it wasn't working properly. Last night, not a single hesitation. Thankful for that as having to stop and engage/disengage float to articulate the bucket was a real time drain.

So thinking maybe some gunk in the hyrdos, or maybe a sticky valve? Still going to follow up with the dealer, but if it keeps working i might push it until I'm ready for scheduled maintenance.

I'll post more as this continues, but for now it's looking like we're entering halftime.

-J

 

[jimpen]

Went out to clear snow last night, and low and behold... the bucket has decided it wants to work the way it's supposed to. -J

Did you move the 3PH handle down? Or was it still at the top?

 

[Shift4200]

Did you move the 3PH handle down? Or was it still at the top?

I was able to articulate the bucket both up and down while in float mode. I was also able to do this with the 3ph up, down or half-way without any issue at all.

Loader arms still raise about 8 in if the loader is in float, and I raise the 3ph.

I had intended on testing all the tricks you guys sent my way, but the bucket worked right away.

-J

 

[J_J]

The lift arms will raise because the 3pt causes back pressure, into the loader lift arm cyl.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Well, another chapter to my story.... this time the plot gets a twist.

Went out to clear snow last night, and low and behold... the bucket has decided it wants to work the way it's supposed to. Last time i tried it was Sunday afternoon and it wasn't working properly. Last night, not a single hesitation. Thankful for that as having to stop and engage/disengage float to articulate the bucket was a real time drain.

So thinking maybe some gunk in the hyrdos, or maybe a sticky valve? Still going to follow up with the dealer, but if it keeps working i might push it until I'm ready for scheduled maintenance.

I'll post more as this continues, but for now it's looking like we're entering halftime.

-J

Ice obstruction interfering with the pickup. You just had a warm day didnt you?

 

[Shift4200]

Ice obstruction interfering with the pickup. You just had a warm day didnt you?

I had thought of this as well. Unfortunately the loader was having the same issue ON the warm day.... and the day that it worked it was 12deg out. Yesterday, mid 20s and the problem started AFTER the tractor was warm.

So, cleared about 8-9in of heavy snow last night. About half way thru the job the problem starts again. Intermittent but it's there. By the end of the 2nd clearing I was back to not being able to curl the bucket while in float. When i finished i gave her a good once over during cool down. Found a little bit of hydro oil collecting down near the valve block. Thought maybe a loose fitting... but there was nothing obvious. There are a few fittings that I didn't have wrench for. Most of my metric wrench experience has been on dirtbikes and quads.... none of those seemed to go over 12mm. Going to try to get out today and snag some bigger crescent wrenches to rule out loose fitting.

Heard back from the dealer again. I've now been put in contact with the service manager John. Great crew down at Dubay Tractor. We've had several exchanges of things for me to look for... right now we're waiting on me double checking for loose fittings. I should have that info for them tomorrow. Mahindra USA replied and suggested several adjustments to the hydro valve. Guess this is something that they plan to do in on site. I'll be sure to report back when/if it happens.

But for now, I'll be headed to a hardware store on lunch to buy some big boy wrenches.... LOL

-J

 

[Shift4200]

Update....

Dealer reached out to Mahindra and they suggested an adjustment to the valve. Dealers service manager pulled a max25 in from their stock to see what they were talking about and found no adjustment. So he's back at Mahindra on that topic.

Next dealer is ordering a part for a small leak that i seem to have in the hydro system. Not sure exactly what part, but he said it was an easy fix. Washer or something.

Yesterday toward the end of clearing the snow on the drive the loader seemed to have gotten worse as time went on. First, no scoop function in float... .but by now i'm almost used to that. Then, after a while i was unable to do any 2 functions at the same time without a brief pause between them. For example.... to lift and dump. Pull up to bank.... stop.... lift arms.... pause.... dump bucket.... pause.... curl bucket... pause.... lower arms. Rinse and repeat.... This made what normally takes 1.5h take over 2.5h. At times even a pause wouldn't give the results I'm used to.

To add to the loader being a f'ker.... toward the very end, the stick would (no pun intended) "stick" in whatever position i put it in. For example.... i would bump the lever up to lift the arms a few inches, turn around to check my rear blade, turn back around and arms are nearly at max height with the lever still stuck in the raise position.

I checked for leaks and pulled the boot on the joystick to see if it might be an icing issue. It was cold and wet, so i didn't want to raise a flag if it was something so simple. But everything looked good. A little moisture under the boot, but no icing or anything that looked to be causing restriction.

I've forwarded this info to the dealer and am waiting on a reply. I'll be sure to keep this updated as we go along.

Happy Valentines day all....

-J

 

[J_J]

If your loader cyl are moving with no lever movement, then i would suggest the centering springs need replacing.

You might disassemble the valve and remove the spools and inspect all parts of the valve.

 

[Shift4200]

If your loader cyl are moving with no lever movement, then i would suggest the centering springs need replacing.

You might disassemble the valve and remove the spools and inspect all parts of the valve.

Seeing as it's a brand new tractor and still under warranty, i'm hoping the dealer will take this task on vs me doing it. However, you might be on to something here and i will surely mention it during my next call with the dealer.

thanks!

-J

 

[Shift4200]

A new twist.... goes along with what i was originally thinking was the problem.

Clearing Snow yesterday... right at the last bucket to toss on the pile. I felt some tension on the loader handle. Next thing i know, i feel a pop... and the handle goes limp. The Linkage to the bucket valve snapped. The bolt side of the link appears to have snapped off inside where it attaches. When it broke off it tore half of the threads out along with it.

Dubay had already started the process of replacing the whole hydro valve under warranty, i guess they need approval from Mahindra USA before they can do the repair. I spoke with the dealer this morning and he's going to expedite the process, and pick up my Max on Thursday. Figure it's a good time to have my first service done (about 10h early or so) since it's already going to be in the shop.

With any luck this broken linkage is going to be the solution to all of this guessing. I can only hope that we will get a break from the snow until i get her back..... yea, i say that as I'm watching the white stuff fall as i type.

-J

 

[Shift4200]

Max is at the dealer, picked up last Thursday. They've completed my 50h service and are waiting on ordered parts to complete the warranty repair for the hydro's. Mahindra USA has approved the replacement of the complete loader valve unit, along with the linkage/handle. So, basically everything between your hand and the lines are going to be new.

As of now, if parts arrive when expected I should have it back by mid day Saturday. More then...

-J

 

[Shift4200]

The conclusion.

The dealer changed out the whole FEL hydro valve under warranty. Got the Max home on Saturday, and had some stick time moving wood to test her out. Smooth like buttah... in fact significantly smoother than when I first got it. Bucket now both dumps and curls while the loader is floating!

Tractor was in for a total of a week, this included my 50h service.

-J