Backhoe boom power loss

[mattphillips18]

I recently purchased my first tractor, a used LS xj2025h with 1104 backhoe installed. I used the hoe a couple times, and the last time noted the boom floating down in a few seconds. Soon I couldn’t get the bucket to penetrate the ground and the boom would barely come back up. Now the boom is up, Keeper” is Goldie up, and I can’t pull back the boom enough to take off the “keeper”. It seems like the other moving parts are working properly, though I haven’t tested under load. Just the boom was super slow and under powered. I checked hydraulic fluid level and it’s at the max, fluid is clean and clear. Any guesses?

 

[ptsg]

Sounds like bad piston cylinders on that cylinder that lifts the boom. Time to pull it apart and inspect.

 

[mattphillips18]

I’m new to hydraulics, I don’t see any leakage, what would I be looking for? Thanks for the attention.

 

[ptsg]

The piston seals are inside the barrel of the cylinder, so it's not an external leak. You can't really see it from the outside unless it was leaking from the rod seal.

It may be a good idea to watch some videos about rebuilding hydraulic cylinders so you get a better idea on what's going on.

 

[mattphillips18]

Thanks, good idea.

 

[Eagle1]

You may just have a linkage problem in the joystick. The valves us a rod and bearing to translate the joystick movement to the valve. The bearing can go bad quite quickly if water get to them. I've seen the bearing come out completely. I converted mine to industrial heim joints since LS does not sell the piece parts. All under the boot.

 

[Eagle1]

This thread may help
BH Joystick Issue

 

[rScotty]

My Kubota did something similar with its boom cylinder... it began after a few years when it could not retract the boom cylinder enough to latch the boom lock.

So...I agree with the previous opinions - the problem with yours could be either the joystick not sending pressurized fluid to the boom cylinder, or it could be that the boom cylinder is getting pressurized fluid, but not able to use it to move the boom cylnder becauxe of an internal problem with the boom piston. Or something else, but those are the ways to bet.

You need to decide which problem you are dealing with. The joystick is easy, sometimes just a matter of some lube. Look it over first. Problems there are pretty obvious. If not sure, the easiest next step would be to insert a a hydraulic "T" fitting in the line that extends the boom cylinder and measure the pressure. It can stay there permanently. I use a 5000 psi gauge with the T. Together they cost about $50. Or you can buy a hydraulic test kit from Amazon that has all the quick change adapters and gauges for about the same price. That's probably how to go.
Your dealer may not be much help. Hydraulics seem to mystify many tractor mechanics. Neither of the two local dealers here has even the most basic hydraulc test tools.

BTW, on mine the problem was the nut holding the piston to the cylinder rod was not attached properly and came loose from the boom cylinder rod. It was a known factory problem and fixed under a replacement boom cylinder recall. I didn't have to do a thing.

rScotty

 

[mattphillips18]

 

[mattphillips18]

This is the boom control. Things seem to feel fine, control springs back, parts all seem there, corrosion at a minimum. I did notice when I pushed forward as if to lower the boom, there was a decent sharp reaction from the piston. But when the control is pulled back, that’s a very soft, slow reaction. Still not enough power to let the boom down so take that for what it’s worth.
Thanks for the valuable insights.