4115 FEL Issue - Won't stay up

V8DAK · Dec 29, 2006

I have a 4115 with FEL and 72" MM Mower. When I remove the mower, I use the loader to lift it when moving it for storeage (actually I hang it on my carport wall), I also use the loader to just let it hang on a chain while cleaning / painting the deck. This is a BIG mower deck, I belive it weighs about 800 lbs, I'd much prefer a 60" deck, but my machine has a Curtiss Cab, so the 72" deck allows the tractor to be farther away from trees etc so the cab doesn't prune everything in it's path. I used to do this very same procedure with my JD 755, it had a 60 inch deck.

My issue: If I leve the mower deck hanging on a chain off the loader with the enjine off, in about 3 minutes the loader has dropped the deck on the floor. So, I tried doing it with the motor running to keep the hydraulics powered up, it still drops on my, not as fast, but it slowly creeps down and requires constant adjustment of the loader to keep the deck just touching the floor so that I can complete my mowerdeck service. This is a PITA to me, my 755 could be left overnight with the mowerdeck hanging off it, yes it did creep down, maby 5-6" overnight, Am I expecting this tractor to do something it is not designed to do, or is it a problem that is unique to mine?

ducati996 · Dec 29, 2006

Im not sure of the weight of that 72" deck but 800 lbs seems like a lot !!
You should be able to hold the weight much longer than that, and especially while the machine is on. I suspect you have a leak somewhere, its not the end of the world and it tends to be a rather easy fix for the dealer. How many hours on the machine? Maybe the loader seals or elsewhere in the hoses. Check fluid level just to be sure, otherwise have the dealer do a pressure test. Is the FEL a 410 loader ? you should be able to hold a full bucket for a few hours or more (at least I was able to), and especially when the machine is on.

V8DAK · Dec 31, 2006

Yes it is a "410" loader, hydraulic fluid levels are OK. There are no visible leaks. I feel it is the loader valve or some other internal componet on the machine. The machine has a tad over 120 hours on it. The dealer has not been very helpful, I would like to trade it in for something that would work better for me.
Bill

ducati996 · Dec 31, 2006

V8DAK said:
Yes it is a "410" loader, hydraulic fluid levels are OK. There are no visible leaks. I feel it is the loader valve or some other internal componet on the machine. The machine has a tad over 120 hours on it. The dealer has not been very helpful, I would like to trade it in for something that would work better for me.
Bill

I would give the machine a chance first - its probably the SCV valve...have the dealer fix or find another who will. If you had to sell, it will go very quickly -especially with the low hours

What would you think would work better for you? the 4115 is a very capable machine (once its operating correctly)

HillbillyFarmer · Dec 31, 2006

Front end won't stay up, eh? Well, there's a joke there that could be exploited thoroughly, but since there doesn't seem to be a real acute sense of humor around here. . . .
You've got a hydraulic leak. Look for leaking fluid. I might also be internal to the system which, unless you're fairly trained in hydraulics, you'll need a dealer or someone who is to figure it out.

jcmseven · Dec 31, 2006

I think also that you have a leak, but, I will say that even my 3720 with a 300cx loader will lose height and pressure when the tractor is off. It takes nearly a day, but if I leave the bucket up and cut the machine off, it will go down 3-4 feet. It will not do it when running, as best I can tell. The other problem is that for a 410 loader a 72" deck which weighes around 400 pounds or so, would tax the loaders ability to hold it, perhaps uncovering a small problem such as this. Loaders are really meant to be dynamic, not static, so the hydraulic inadequacies might be uncovered more when there is a heavy load attached to them in the static position. 400 pounds is not much for that loader when lifting, but holding,well that is another story.

John M

GATOR445 · Jan 13, 2007

YOU HAVE A LEAK IF IT'S NOT LEAKING EXTERNAL THEN IT'S INTERNAL. YOU CAN TEST WEATHER IT IS THE LOADER, OR THE TRACTOR BY PUTTING A FLOOR JACK UNDER THE BUCKET RAISE THE BUCKET UP SO THE JACK CAN JUST LIFT BUCKET AT THE TOP OF THE JACKS LIFT TURN OFF THE TRACTOR DISCONNECT THE GREEN AND BLACK COUPLERS LET THE JACK DOWN IF THE LOADER HOLDS IT'S SELF UP THE PROBLEM IS IN THE DSCV ON THE TRACTOR. IF THE LOADER LEAKS DOWN THEN THE BOOM LIFT CYLINDERS HAVE A PROBLEM. ANYONE OF THEM WILL NEED THE DEALER TO FIX IT. WHEN YOUR DONE JACK THE BUCKET UP TO TAKE PRESSURE OFF THE HYD LINE SO YOU CAN RECONNECT YOU COUPLERS. REMEMBER THIS LOADERS WILL LEAK DOWN SOME.

JerryG · Jan 13, 2007

V8DAK,
If you will go to the JD site, they have or did have a page that showed how fast loader drop was allowed for each series of loader.

JDGREEN4ME · Jan 13, 2007

V8DAK said:
I would like to trade it in for something that would work better for me.
Bill

Sure wish I was in the market for a tractor. We have property on Seneca Lake and at some point want to get another tractor. I had a 4115/410/46 set up and it as the perfect size for our needs. Did not have a place to store it up there and at the time needed the money for some other things.