430 Bucket Uncurls By Itself

JIMCT · Aug 12, 2003

This is strange. Yesterday my JD 430 bucket started uncurling by itself. If you curl it up, after a one second delay it starts to uncurl by itself FAST and is completely uncurled in about 6 seconds.

I have the backhoe on so I can't check the fluid level but I still added about a pint but this had no effect.

Any ideas from the experts out there?

Jim

TimSullivan · Aug 12, 2003

I had the same problem and had to rebuild the cylinders. It is not an unusual problem.

WCarlson · Aug 12, 2003

I had a similar problem. Ended up replacing both bucket cylinders on the FEL under warranty. Check first for a hydraulic leak in the bucket curl system (red and yellow connectors and associated piping, including the SCV). If you have no fluid leaking, then you have an internal leak in the bucket cylinders or in the SCV. In order to check if the bucket cylinders are leaking, switch the hydraulic hoses on the manifold. Move green and black over to red and yellow and vice versa. If the bucket still uncurls, it is the bucket cylinders that are leaking, if the bucket drops it is a leak in the selective control valve.
Good Luck,
Bill

JIMCT · Aug 12, 2003

William & Tim thank you much you were right on the money, the dealer is picking up the tractor next week - it is still under warrenty.

Jim

WCarlson · Aug 12, 2003

Jim,
You are welcome. One of the great things about TBN is that it is so easy to contact folks who have experienced problems with their tractors and can help others.

If you would rather not lose the tractor for a week or two, just have the dealer order the bucket cylinders and install them yourself. It is an hour long job. The bucket cylinders are only held in place by two shafts with cotter pins. All you need to replace them is to remove the two hydraulic lines on each cylinder and then the pins and shafts. Then reverse the process and grease the four new zerks.
Bill

TimSullivan · Aug 13, 2003

When mine need to be replaced under warrantee, the dealer waited until the parts were in before picking up the tractor. They picked it up at 10 AM and returned it at 3 PM. the same day.

Talk to the powers that be and see what you can arrange. I know I could not be without my tractor for long with all the rain and the growing grass.

swa240z · Aug 18, 2003

JIMCT -

I experienced the same problem as you - THREE times. The first time I had the same bucket curl problem as you. The service manager said that the earlier 430 loader cylinders were junk and that they had either rebuilt or replaced the cylinders on everyone they sold. The dealer rebuilt the cylinders under warranty and they worked fine for another week or so, and then the same thing happened. This time the dealer replaced the two curl cylinders with the new style cylinder (under warranty) and I haven't had a problem with those since.

HOWEVER, the lift cylinders failed about six months later - after I was out of warranty. The dealer contacted the Deere regional warranty person and helped me get a deal on their replacement. I only had to pay $200 towards parts and labor to replace them with the new style cylinders. I haven't had any problems with any of the new style cylinders.

If you have the old style cylinders, make them replace them with the new style - NOT fix them. Good luck!
Steve

GreenMtnMan · Aug 18, 2003

Can you tell us how to tell the difference between the old style cylinders and the new style ones? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

rmonio · Aug 25, 2003

I have a 460 loader and I've seen situations now (under load) where the opening of the bucket doesn't engage completely - it stops - and I need to aggressively push the joystick over and get it to release completely. This seems to occur when I the bucket level and then begin the dump sequence - if I do a complete dump sequence and not stop there, it goes fine. Is this an issue with the cylinders as you describe? Or something in the joystick area that needs replacing by the dealer?

-Bob