430 loader problem

[txhawg]

Ok, I got my 4310 w430 loader, and the bucket leaks down rather fast. I have about 13 hours (2 weekends) on this thing, and have been quite impressed so far. I would wait until the 50 hour service to take it back, but it leaks down fast. Real fast. Even empty, dragging a box blade, I have to curl the bucket up every couple of minutes. It's a real PIA. So, I will take it back to the dealer tomorrow for the first warranty visit. (I hope it's not an omen) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I saw some other threads about leak down, but it doesn't seem that common. Has any of you with 430's had similar issues?

 

[beenthere]

There is a procedure in the manual to check the 'leak down' rate, and it might be helpful to know that rate if you are taking it back to the dealer for a check-up.
I don't recall off-hand what it is, but there is an "acceptable" rate over which is in need of fixing (probably had to have some criteria to warrant repair of whatever needs a fix).

Mine leaks down pretty slowly, maybe a foot every hour or two. Not a problem, for me anyway. When I was removing shingles from my shed, and standing (yes, a no-no) in the bucket for a scaffolding, I could notice it creak down a bit every so often. Yours sounds more serious than that, and I wouldn't like it.

 

[Jim_Fisher]

txhawg,

Here is the link to the leakdown info on Deere's web site. Loader and backhoe boom/bucket lower slowly while parked

The page lists the acceptable leakdown rate and instructions on how to determine if your loader's leakdown falls within the acceptable range.

 

[txhawg]

Well, the dealer is not balking at fixing it. When I took it back today, we unloaded from my trailer, left the bucket off the ground and curled. I went inside with the service guy, he wrote my phone number down, and we walked back out. By the time we got outside again, the bucket edge was on the ground. I knew it wasn't right, and knew it was way past unacceptable even by Deere's terms. There is obviously an internal leak somewhere. I was wondering how many others had a similar problem.

 

[Bird]

I had a similar problem with my 1995 B7100. It can be the valve or the cylinders, or both, of course. In my case, they tested and eliminated the valve as the problem, replaced the seals in the boom cylinders, which didn't help, so they simply replaced all 4 cylinders and that fixed the problem. All under warranty, of course.