B2650 sticky loader lever/valve mechanism

[nbryan]

With the loader valve body cleaned and lubed, tractor warmed up, I find there's almost always a little "hump" to push the lever past, however firmly i hold the lever, as i move it left or right to operate the dump/curl. This results in the bucket or forks jumping uncontrollably at least a short distance, and is hazardous. Only with both hands clamped on the lever and firm full body pressure can i somewhat reliably ease the transition from zero to a gentle curl or dump motion, or for boom raise/lower for that matter.
It feels and looks like the valve spool binds slightly as it is very slowly moved in and out of the valve body from neutral, and jumps when the slight binding releases.
Anyone else run into this and know of a way to smooth this off/on jerky loader hydraulics issue?
It's not the 2 stage dump indent, or the forward boom float setting indent that's the issue.
It's just when I need fine control from neutral. Like raising or lowering a load a 1/4 inch instead of it jumping 4".
Experience? Thoughts?

Btw 410 hrs on machine. Kept inside and well maintained.

TIA!

 

[oldballs]

Although it may not be your problem, my FEL controls the best when the engine rpm is slowed down for fine movements.
cheers,
Mike

 

[nbryan]

Although it may not be your problem, my FEL controls the best when the engine rpm is slowed down for fine movements.
cheers,
Mike

I agree, and i reduce rpm when i can as it really helps. But when I've fully loaded a pallet crate of firewood to be close to the tractor's lift limit but still quite manoeuvrable the rpm has to be up there 2000+ to lift the loads. It's the easing into place control, or lack thereof, that i want to solve if possible.

 

[oldballs]

Surely someone on TBN can identify your problem. But I can sympathize with the need for control in delicate situations.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[troopr31]

I’d be interested in finding an answer to this, also...I went from a B2601 with 100 hrs to a new B2650. One of my biggest gripes is the lack of being able to “feather” the loader controls like I could with the 2601. This one definitely feels like a noticeable threshold that you have to muscle past to move the controls. Thus typically turns into jerky movements which is no good when you have pallet forks on and carrying something that can tip over.

I just thought that maybe it would free up after putting more hours on the controls (it only has 20ish hrs.). It’s sort of disheartening to hear that you are still having this issue with over 400 hrs...

 

[oldballs]

Where are the B2650 FEL users when we need them! The OE manuals offer no help as I re-read them. I don't even see a lubrication comment for the joy stick (valve body). At this point, I'm wondering if reaching the load limit of the FEL has something to do with the lack of precise control for this model.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[skipperbrown]

I have noted this as well. I lubricated the loader stick valve housing with Boshield T9 (a coating type spray on lub and corrosion inhibitor) and it helped a lot.

 

[nbryan]

I have noted this as well. I lubricated the loader stick valve housing with Boshield T9 (a coating type spray on lub and corrosion inhibitor) and it helped a lot.

I have used Fluid Film as the valve mechanism lubricant, then cleaned with WD40 and wiped down, tried lightly greasing, and it still has that little tight spot when trying to engage the hydraulics.

I tried looking really close at the valve area while slowly moving the lever various ways, with and without the engine running. I don't think it's related to the levers and swivels involved in moving the spools in and out, as the resistance begins only when all the play in the mechanism has been taken up and pressure is mounting on the valve spool to move. I seems to resist a little before moving into the valve body to begin pressure flow. It wants to "jump" slightly before any flow starts.

Any hydraulics gurus on here that can tell me if there's normally this engagement resistance with a valve like this? Is there normally a little play in those spool pins that would have them shift or bind a little as one tries to begin operating them?



I am wondering if there's any way to adjust the spool engagement mechanism to avoid that "bump" or stickiness when attempting to feather the action.

 

[East30]

I've owned my B2650 to two years, and I think I understand what you're talking about. I'm new to tractors so I only have limited knowledge. I noticed it first when testing how high I could get the bucket, determining if I could lift something to a high of near 7 feet should I buy forks. Those small changes in leveling create a jerking of the bucket. I think I know understand what people mean with feathering. So yes, I see that, it's a definite push to open that valve, but creates too much initial movement. Sitting here thinking about it, though seems like I don't notice it most of the time, just when close to fully extended. But, I'd have to test this weekend when I'm there. Somewhere I thought someone mentioned a restrictor to ease those types of conditions, but would slow down all aspects of use.

 

[oldballs]

Yes, this sounds like a question for the hydraulic experts.