Best place for troubleshooting hydraulics?

[karltinsly]

I have a Mahindra 2538 with the 60B backhoe. Within a month or two of buying it, it developed a problem where the boom swing (left to right) was VERY slow. Under warranty, the dealer replaced the whole gang of valves for the backhoe. A few months later, it did it again, and the dealer once again replaced the valve gang. It is now more than a year since then, and the 'hoe has developed a similar problem, but this time on boom up/down. All other movements are fast and powerful, but lowering the boom is very slow, and it has no digging power - usually it can almost lift the back of the tractor. If I rock the lever back and forth, sometimes it will dig in, but it's sporadic. This of course greatly hampers its ability to dig.

I would like to take the tractor and 'hoe somewhere for troubleshooting, and I was wondering what kind of place would be best? Are there shops that specialize in hydraulics repair, or is it just a basic mechanic job? Would taking it back to the dealer be a good idea? They replaced the valve gang under warranty, but I have no idea if tractor shops are usually skilled in hydraulic repair or rebuilding of valves.

Obviously, I'm not a mechanic or hydraulic expert. I like to DIY things, but I don't have much knowledge about hydraulics. Any advice on what kind of repair shop I should be looking for would be much appreciated!

Just in case someone knows the area, I'm in Seguin, Texas, and my dealer is Bill's Tractor in San Antonio.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Did you talk to the dealer? They seem to have some insight into these issues. Getting information is often key, before touching anything.

 

[karltinsly]

Thanks for your reply - I don't plan on doing it myself. I'm trying to find out if there are better places than the dealer to take it to.

 

[oldnslo]

If problem is just one valve operation that would point towards a problem in the valve. Couple of possible items that could cause this.

1) If just in one direction check the spool travel on that function. With engine off and hoe on the ground so it can't move move the lever that controls that function and measure spool travel from spring loaded home position in both directions. Should be very similar travel distance. If not similar look at linkage to see if something is loose or out of adjustment. If possible maybe even disconnect the linkage and move spool by hand. The centering spring mechanism might have come loose not allowing equal travel in both directions.

2) If the valve has work port reliefs possible the relief on the lower port has stuck open or a seal has failed. If you can safely try and lower and measure heat on the valve section by both ports this would indicate potential leak path in that valve section.

Yes a good hydraulic shop should be able to troubleshoot the system. If still under warranty take it back to the dealer since anything you do could void the warranty.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Still would be good to give anyone you plan on taking it to, an idea of what needs doing or what is wrong. Why pay someone to determine something that is already known. Plus, you know it won't do it when there.

Maybe crappy seals that disintegrate. I can't think of much else that would cause what you are describing. Or relief spring breaking.

 

[rademamj1]

Like much of the advice already given, your Mahindra dealer usually knows your tractor hydraulic issues better than most. Considering this is a continuing problem, getting a backup opinion from a hydraulic specialist is not a bad idea. Check out this shop in Austin, as they have considerable experience in construction equipment hydraulic problems, and also do tractor hydraulics. Give them a call and have a long discussion with them about your tractor history, and see what they recommend.

https://robsequipment.com/

 

[Leejohn]

You might want to check the quick couplers for the boom before taking it someplace.

 

[wdchyd]

Tractor dealers in our area are masters at marketing and sales. That is where most profits seem to come from. But unfortunately they can become parts changers if they do not have competent technicians in their staff that understand basic and technical specifics to their brand of hydraulic equipment.

If the tractor dealer cannot do a load/flow pressure test on your pump (not just a pressure gauge), have them refer you to someone that can to rule out pump delivery issue. Do not let anyone just start taking apart control valves blindly without proper troubleshooting procedures.

 

[LouNY]

With just one spool acting up a load test on a pump isn't where I would go first.
Is you backhoe valve a monoblock type or stack valves,
are parts available for the valve.
If yes then possibly it can be rebuilt.
It seems that many valve manufactures are not selling parts as they are claiming that the spools are matched
tothe valve and are not replaceable.
You may be able to replace seals or load checks.

 

[Industrial Toys]

From my experience and knowing of the inside scoop on some dealerships, I have ZERO confidence in tha ability of "service departments". Most just seem to be dysfunctional on so many different levels. That's why I like to pick their brain and often my BS meter just goes off the scale and I don't pursue anything with that particular outfit. Avoid those that just keep saying "bring it in" but won't discuss anything concrete. If they aren't the least bit willing to help you help yourself, forget them.

Some years ago, I had a hydraulic issue with my Kubota Wheel Loader. Wouldn't go forward anymore. Being such a bulletproof machine, no one knew anything about it. I found one mechanic in a Southern US Kubota dealership that did know the machine. I talked to him once but his manager did not allow further communications, despite me offering to pay for his time.

Went to an established hydraulic shop with hydraulic schematics in hand (which I doubt they understood) and they gave me suggestions of where to try pressure tests and if that didn't work, they would come and look at it. Got the gauges, and when I took a pressure reading in one spot, the machine started working again and never quite again. Air must have gotten locked in there during some very hot operating conditions.

That could be a problem for the op too!