Loader 7308 Lift arm problems

   / 7308 Lift arm problems #1  

Tazz

Bronze Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Messages
89
Location
Texas, Montgomery Co
Tractor
TC29D
Hello again everyone. I can't believe it's been about 15 years since I posted in here about anything with my 1999 NH TC29D. With some routine care it's been 100% trouble free. I know this place always has the answers to any problems so here I am.

My lift arms can lift anything I need without any problems and I know there's not much of a downward force when lowering the arms. I could always lower the bucket so it's resting flat on the ground and then curl the bucket outward (dumping) and the lift arms would stay locked so the front wheels of the tractor would come off the ground. Not safe, I know, but just saying that's the strength it has with both lift and bucket hydraulics.

Well last week I noticed when I tried this and curl the bucket out the lift arms will rise and not stay locked in place. They still have power to lift the bucket with a small load with no problem.

I did some troubleshooting because at first I thought it was a bad controler valve but having searched this forum I think it's one or both of the lift arm cylinders have a bad seal that works in one direction but not the other.

To test them I lowered the bucket to the ground so the base was flat and disconnected the two lift arm quick connects. This should lock the fluid in place in those cylinders. Correct? Next I tried curling out the bucket but once again the lift arms raised up so I'm thinking fluid is getting past the piston somehow.

There are no external leaks anywhere around the two cylinders, the fluid reservoir is full of clean fluid, and I did cycle all motions of the FEL 4 or 5 times all the way to bleed out any possible air.

I believe the cylinders are the Ognibene type with the two large flat spots on the endcaps for a large wrench.

So old wise ones, am I correct that it probably needs a new seal kit for the lift cylinders?

Thanks all.
 
Last edited:
   / 7308 Lift arm problems #3  
I’m far from being wise on hydraulics however your explanation of the issue says your correct. And thanks for posting how to troubleshoot it.
 
   / 7308 Lift arm problems
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Thanks, I don't use the FEL much during the winter so I may wait on fixing it. It looks like the supply for an O-ring kits are limited since they're 20 years old now.
 

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