Loader Blowing cylinder seals

[InThePines]

I am new to FEL and want to make sure I do not damage my hydraulics. I read about folks hearing a 'pop' which can indicate seal/cylinder damage. Any advice on how to avoid operations that will cause this?

 

[radioman]

yup- its a easy one. just leave your hydraulics relief settings at factory specs, not higher. They are there for a reason, esp. for a newbie. Also when you hear your relief kick in (high squealing sound) that is when you oughta stop.

 

[repete]

I am not exactly positive nut I believe the relief valve is active only when the valve is in use. IOW, when you have lifted the bucket and released the valve handle the fluid in the cylinders has no way to get out.

If you have a fully (weight wise) loaded bucket and then drive over rough ground you can put an excessive load on the bucket lift cylinders that may cause problems. When I have a very heavy bucket I travel slowly so as to eliminate this possibility as much as possible.

I do not know if what I am doing makes sense but I have done it for thousands of hours and have never lost a lift cylinder.

 

[Transit]

yup- its a easy one. just leave your hydraulics relief settings at factory specs, not higher. They are there for a reason, esp. for a newbie. Also when you hear your relief kick in (high squealing sound) that is when you oughta stop.

Correct, but a false sense of security. Depending on how the system is plumed, the relief valve may be in the wrong place for complete protection.

Example;

Pump --> quick connector--> priority valve --> FEL valve with relief valve--> 3 point hitch.

The system is only protected from the FEL valve and to the right.
If the Quick connect or priority have a problem where will the oil go?

The solution is;

Pump --> relief valve --> quick connector--> priority valve --> FEL valve --> 3 point hitch.

 

[leonz]

I am new to FEL and want to make sure I do not damage my hydraulics. I read about folks hearing a 'pop' which can indicate seal/cylinder damage. Any advice on how to avoid operations that will cause this?

primary: remember that physics will jump out of the hole and slap you if you try to make your machine do more from your lack of experience with a back hoe and in the process move the booms to fast and tear out a dipper cylinder.


1. do not expect to use the full back hoe bucket when dealing with diggng period.

2. no shoving piles with the bucket while the booms are extended.
a. place stabilisers where the ground is solid or use wooden flats nade from
four by fours to aid in stabilty for the stabilisers which increases the surface area of the pad.

3 do not reach to far with the dipping boom in any case while digging-meaning no digging the first hole all the way to the bottom with our prepping with a wider ditch if possible-meaning if you can remove a foot of dirt the width of the tractor and bucket and have no concerns about moving more dirt do it as the reach will be reduced.

Better to use half the stroke of the dipper arm lower boom cylinder than the full stroke- so you have to move more often no big deal.

Remember the cylinders have "NO Relief Valve protection" and take smaller bites only -so it takes a bit longer to do things.

I have several threads here about hydraulics and back hoes and stop tubes and why the cylinders break the way they do and you should read them fot your own sake and under stand why it happens to you as the cylinders do not have stop tubes or flow control valves in the retract side of the valves AND THEY SHOULD.

 

[InThePines]

Thank you for the response. When smoothing a surface with a FEL bucket, in reverse, at what angle should the bucket be? Do different angles overstress the loader while doing this?

 

[repete]

Thank you for the response. When smoothing a surface with a FEL bucket, in reverse, at what angle should the bucket be? Do different angles overstress the loader while doing this?

It depends on the dirt. Soft stuff you can use a fair down force. Hard stuff or embedded rocks not so much. There is no "hard rule" for your question.

If it feels at all resistant, stop dragging, or pushing, for that matter. A couple passes are cheaper than parts. Over time you will get to "know" your machine and you will "feel" when you are stressing it. They are pretty tough though, do not live in fear of hurting it. If you do not abuse it you will be fine if you work slowly at first.

 

[TripleR]

Thank you for the response. When smoothing a surface with a FEL bucket, in reverse, at what angle should the bucket be? Do different angles overstress the loader while doing this?

Very good advice given. If you are just "smoothing" IE not really moving much material, as stated, angle can vary a lot and practice will show which works best. Using the "float" position will work very well and eases some of the stress to your loader.

I have also found that what works well with a small FEL may not with a larger, heavier unit and vice versa; practice and experience are the key.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Look at your dump cylinder when the bottom of the bucket is vertical (dumped). It goes over center on the pivot, giving the bucket a LOT of leverage. So don't push or pull with the bucket in dump position.