B26 Repairs

[Toolguy]

To test the control valve for proper float operation push the lever forward to float, with the engine running of course, and see what happens. If the front end starts to slowly lift then you have a valve problem. If nothing happens then the float is working as it should.

 

[JsJs]

I'll be contrarian to the other responses. Doesn't sound like it's working right to me. I use float on my BX25 for snow plowing all the time and as long as it's in the detent position, the bucket floats up and down with no hydraulic pressure up or down. Sounds like something is wrong with your valve. Might be worth opening it up and cleaning it out to make sure there's no microscopic foreign matter preventing it from going into full float mode. Maybe your stick is in float, but the valve is not fully closing off the pressure side. Have you spoken with a service tech at a Kubota dealer?

And its a contrarain I'm looking for. My first try was calling the service teck at the dealership I bought it new from. He had recently attended Kubota school and that is how I came by the answer " that is the way it should work " So for you to say yours works correctly gives me more ammo to get it fixed. I'm an hour form the dealer so self repair is best. No chance I'm opening up the hydraulic system but if there is a mechancial adjustment on the control somewhere I'm all ears ?

 

[JsJs]

It works as you state in the test suggestion BUT as I drive forward, and only when driving forward, the down pressure starts. If I stop and reset the detent control it relieves the pressure again.

 

[Toolguy]

Very strange that it only applies pressure when going forward. Does not make sense. The HST and the loader hydraulics would need to be connected for that to happen. I think you need to take it to your dealer. If they can witness the action you describe in person it should help them understand what is going on and then let you know if it is normal or not.

 

[JsJs]

My B3030 does the same thing once a significant amount of material builds up in front of the bucket. If I stop going forward however, the front end comes back down. It would not do that if there was down pressure on the arms. Does your B26 come down if you stop going forward? Perhaps the extra weight of the backhoe makes the front end light enough that the lifting comes without much material in the bucket. Was your JD a heavier tractor than your Kubota. That could be the difference. If I am pushing something heavy and using float I have to pull the FEL lever out of float once I feel the front wheels start to lift. Otherwise, I loose traction and steering with the front wheels. It is a technique I had to learn from experience. Again, good luck.

Again thanks for the response. My B26 does not come down when I stop going forward. Dealer claimed the same thing regarding backhoe, which I found hard to believe as it is a factory unit. Removed the hoe and no difference. Yes my JD is heavier but that does not effect a true float. Float means the oil is free to come in and exit on both sides of the lift cylinders. There should never be any oil forced to stay in. I use the same technique as a work around so if you have the same problem that tells me its a design flaw and not some adjustment. Thanks anyway.

 

[Toolguy]

The reason that the front end lifts when pushing a load in float is because all of the force is directed to the top of the loader frame. The leverage gained by pushing up high is what causes the front end to come up. When not in float the loader arms and lift cylinders form a triangle creating a rigid structure that becomes part of the tractor. In order for the front end to come up under load the bucket would have to lift as well. The only thing odd about your situation is that you say that the front end does not come back down when you stop going forward. Does it stay up if you go in reverse? If it does there is something wrong. If it goes down when you back up then that is normal and how it is supposed to work. Hope you get it figured out.

 

[JsJs]

Yes, when it goes up , it stays up. Its going up by hydraulic pressure , as opposed to the bucket lifting it. I agree there is definately something wrong. Now , how to fix it ? No one has answered if there is a mechanicial adjustment on the control arm side. I'm not tearing into the valve assembly for sure.

 

[skyhook]

Yes, when it goes up , it stays up. Its going up by hydraulic pressure , as opposed to the bucket lifting it. I agree there is definately something wrong. Now , how to fix it ? No one has answered if there is a mechanicial adjustment on the control arm side. I'm not tearing into the valve assembly for sure.

Does it go back down when you reverse the tractor.
If it does, then it's a design flaw, all B26's do this, even larger tractors, but not all.
It all depends on the design of the loader arms, (the angle) and the weight of the machine.
IMO, you have no problems with your hydraulic system from what was stated.

 

[Toolguy]

If you are on flat ground and have the bucket down in float position with the cutting edge up it should just slide along and not lift the front wheels off the ground. If it lifts the wheels as you say it does then that is certainly not how it should work. If it lifts the wheels when you push a load in float and does not come back down when you stop or reverse then that is not right either. If it does stay up then it seems that the float position is only allowing the oil to flow freely in one direction and restricting the flow in the other direction. That is not right, either. If you can figure out exactly what it is doing and when, that will go a long way in helping a hydraulic expert correct the problem. I don't have a B26, nor have I ever driven one but I can't believe it operates any different than any other loader I have operated. Just because one tech at a dealer says it operates normally does not mean it is necessarily so. You need a second opinion. I hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction.

 

[JsJs]

Does it go back down when you reverse the tractor.
If it does, then it's a design flaw, all B26's do this, even larger tractors, but not all.
It all depends on the design of the loader arms, (the angle) and the weight of the machine.
IMO, you have no problems with your hydraulic system from what was stated.

Does not go down when I reverse. Cylinders are under pressure so no way it is floating. I like the machine, BUT if I were a competitor of Kubota I'd make hay outta this design defect.

 

[skyhook]

Does not go down when I reverse. Cylinders are under pressure so no way it is floating.

Then you do have a problem, most probably in the spool detents but I'm by no means an expert when it comes to hydraulics.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Not familiar with B26 details. But, there might be an external adjustment for the float detent, and there might be external crud affecting valve operation that can be cleaned out. Maybe this thread will be useful. I would go look at my B21 but it is 4 hours away.

Bucket float position - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

 

[JsJs]

Not familiar with B26 details. But, there might be an external adjustment for the float detent, and there might be external crud affecting valve operation that can be cleaned out. Maybe this thread will be useful. I would go look at my B21 but it is 4 hours away.

Bucket float position - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

Thanks for that, but nothing helpful on that site. Hey does anyone have access to a service manual for the loader controls ?

 

[dfkrug]

I don't have a B26, nor have I ever driven one but I can't believe it operates any different than any other loader I have operated.

One difference the B26 FEL has that most other FELs do not, is a self-leveling bkt. My B21 had that,
and I think it carries over to the B26. On the B21, it was a mechanical system, which I disconnected.
I have never operated a B26, but it may have the same system.

Also, there are mechanical and hydraulic self-leveling systems out there.

JsJs may want look into whether or not the SL-bkt is working correctly. I have never had or seen
any adjustments for the float function on an FEL valve. I am also puzzled by his symptoms.

 

[JsJs]

One difference the B26 FEL has that most other FELs do not, is a self-leveling bkt. My B21 had that,
and I think it carries over to the B26. On the B21, it was a mechanical system, which I disconnected.
I have never operated a B26, but it may have the same system.

Also, there are mechanical and hydraulic self-leveling systems out there.

JsJs may want look into whether or not the SL-bkt is working correctly. I have never had or seen
any adjustments for the float function on an FEL valve. I am also puzzled by his symptoms.

Yes it does have self leveling and that is often another frustration. I know its a saftey feature built for those that don't understand gravity but there should be a temporary override. I have had many an event cursing that feature. I don't see how it creates the down pressure problem but anything is possible. Any one with schematics for the hydraulic system ?

 

[skyhook]

If you follow the self leveling rod on the right side of the loader arms,,
near the end of the loader support frame, you'll see a cable operated valve that controls the self leveling,
disconnect it and you will no longer have self leveling.

 

[troutsqueezer]

FWIW, my B21 works as it should in float mode. Looking at the FEL hydraulic diagrams for mine, I'd say there is a valve problem.

 

[JsJs]

FWIW, my B21 works as it should in float mode. Looking at the FEL hydraulic diagrams for mine, I'd say there is a valve problem.

Can you scan and post those diagrams ?

 

[JsJs]

Hey now thats an idea. It will prove if that apparatus is the float culprit , if so, then its a matter or getting rid of it for good.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Can you scan and post those diagrams ?

Negative. Currently don't own an operating scanner. Sorry. They aren't easy to decipher anyway. From the written description of which valves are open when in float mode, it's apparent the fluid flows freely in all directions, thus no lockup.