Loader 300cx FEL "sinks" when parked

pokerboy57 · Jun 23, 2011

I have a JD 3320 with a 300CX FEL. I parked it with the FEL 4 feet off the ground. When I came back the next day the bucket was on the ground. Tried it again this time locked in the barn overnight, same thing. Is this normal or a sign of a hydrolic problem? Other than that quirk the FEL seems to work fine.

JB4310 · Jun 23, 2011

Mine does the same thing, not a problem IMO.

JB

megaboz · Jun 23, 2011

It happens with hydraulics, there is no stop valve for the fluid from going back into the tractor, gravity still rules.

RoyJackson · Jun 23, 2011

Not only does gravity rule...it's much safer to lower the bucket anyway. There's no good reason to leave a bucket off the ground (that I can think of, anyway).

5030 · Jun 23, 2011

Every tractor I've owned (and that's quite a few) states in the owners manual to lower all implements to the ground when shutting down. No exceptions.

pokerboy57 · Jun 24, 2011

thanks everyone I'm glad this isn't a problem. I sometimes use the bucket as a big tool box, just happened to have left it off the ground when it was "Miller" time.

sunnyside360 · Jun 24, 2011

I won't say all tractors with fel's behave this way but all the one's I've owned (and operated) would drop the bucket 0ver time --- some faster than others. I wouldn't be concerned as long as it functions properly. As mentioned above, it's best to lower the fel and any implements to the ground when parked.

Reg · Jun 24, 2011

pokerboy57 said:
thanks everyone I'm glad this isn't a problem. I sometimes use the bucket as a big tool box, just happened to have left it off the ground when it was "Miller" time.

The safety police would be all over you for prioritizing booze over leaving your equipment in a safe condition.
A bucket 4ft off the ground being high enough for kids to get under.
You may or may not have any, they may or may not see your tractor as an attractive nuisance when passing by.
One under it, one playing with the joy-stick - pushes it all the way forwards to float - Oops.

I'm not the safety police, they may not be reading here, but in any case you should lower EVERYTHING and relieve pressure in all cylinders at the end of working.

RoyJackson · Jun 24, 2011

Reg said:
The safety police would be all over you for prioritizing booze over leaving your equipment in a safe condition.
A bucket 4ft off the ground being high enough for kids to get under.
You may or may not have any, they may or may not see your tractor as an attractive nuisance when passing by.
One under it, one playing with the joy-stick - pushes it all the way forwards to float - Oops.

I'm not the safety police, they may not be reading here, but in any case you should lower EVERYTHING and relieve pressure in all cylinders at the end of working.

Adding to the bolded sentence, small kid under the bucket...small kid on the seat playing with the controls...FEL drops by gravity and you have a severely injured (or worse) child.