Bouncing attachments

[Red_rider]

Branson 3510 with > 30 hours.
I recently started noticing that my York rake was "bouncing" when I raised it all the way up. It raises and lowers fine, but when you raise it up all the way it slowly drops a couple of inches and then raises back up. It is a rhythmic thing and isn't changed by adjusting the lift speed. I can't find any leaks anywhere in the hydraulic system. The fluid level is fine. It will likely be worse when I put the blade on for snow, etc. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Air in the system?????

 

[KubotaSteve]

On my old man's massey fergusson if you pull the handle all the way back, the pump keeps pumping. There is a spot you have to put it back at so that it does not keep pumping. It is pumping and then releasing through the pressure relief. It is really a good thing to keep it doing that for a long period.

 

[beenthere]

"a good thing" or NOT "a good thing" ??

redryder
I think the rocker arms need adjusting, and it has something to do with the mechanical linkage that tells the control valve that the rocker arms are all the way up to where they need to 'stop'. The manual should tell you what to adjust. Its pretty simple and straight forward on my Deere 4300, but not sure what this one is like.

 

[frank_f15]

NOT SURE ABOUT YOUR TRACTOR. BUT ON MOST THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. Think you need to make an adjustment or talk to the dealer.

 

[Red_rider]

It just started doing it the other day - never a problem before. Thought maybe it was because the tractor was on a fairly steep downhill incline (maybe fluid level low), but still does it on level ground. Called the dealer today - their primary tractor guy went home sick - should hear something from them tomorrow or Friday. Hope it is just something simple - like adjusting the arms.

 

[KubotaSteve]

It should have read: "It's NOT a good thing".
Didn't get it in time to edit it.

 

[Red_rider]

Gotcha! To be honest I read it the way you MEANT to send it.

 

[RockyMtDan]

Hello Red rider. I have seen this problem on more then one tractor, it has to do with the draft control. Your dealer should be able to walk you threw a simple adjustment.

 

[Red_rider]

Talked with the dealer - adjusted draft control, etc. Took the York rake off last night and put the 5ft. blade on. It's the weirdest thing - with the blade on it sits rock-solid when up and doesn't waiver at all. Took the blade off, put the rake back on - it bounces! It drops about 3 in. (slowly) and then bounces back up - very rhythmic, about every 5-6 seconds. Took the rake off, put the blade back on - nothing! Works like it was intended. The guys at the dealer are scratching their heads - so am I. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif The rake is lighter, but is longer. Could that have something to do with it????

 

[hwew]

It could be the seal on the hydraulic ram for the three point hitch leaking or a valve.
Bring the attachment up all the way then shut the tractor off and watch to see if it drops.
If the dealer checked everything out that I wrote I don't know what it is.
I believe it will be rectified there are alot of smart people here on TBN that are willing to help.
Let us know when you find out what it is.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Talked with the dealer - adjusted draft control, etc. Took the York rake off last night and put the 5ft. blade on. )</font>
When you have the rake on, did you try changing the draft setting to see if you could get it to stop. You said you adjusted it, but was that a one time thing or during the rake experiment? If you have position and draft controls, you may find a combination that works. John

 

[JerryG]

Red_rider,
It sounds to me like the unloading valve or the holding check valve inside the lift. Run that past your dealer and see what he has to say.

 

[Red_rider]

The latest in the saga. Finished with all the holiday hoopla and decided to get some road work done the other day. Felt that familiar "bump" and sure enough the blade was bouncing in that now-familiar rhythmic motion. Put the blade all the way up and shut the tractor down - 90 seconds later the blade was on the ground. Call the dealer and he sent someone out to pick it up and take it in to his shop. We had to remove the blade since it wouldn't stay up (plus it made it a little too long for the trailer). One of the mechanics called yesterday evening and said it was working fine with an aerator hooked on it. He called Branson - possible "crap" in the fluid causing intermittent problem. I'm headed to the dealer this morning to see if we can figure this one out. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I'll keep you posted.

 

[Red_rider]

The end of the day and it is working fine - at the dealer. Went by this morning. Had a box scraper on the back - I believe everyone there graded the parking lot - including me - and it worked like it was supposed to. Hasn't had a glitch since we loaded it on the trailer yesterday. Since I'm not going to use it this weekend /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I told the dealer to keep it until Monday. Left it sitting with the "box" all the way up - three hours later went by to check it and the box hadn't dropped an inch. Should have brought it home today - that would have made it act up. Go figure.

 

[Red_rider]

Got the tractor back day before yesterday and so far, so good. I put the blade on and it worked flawlessly. Left it in the "up" position overnight without a waiver. I plan to put the rake back on next week to do some work. Hopefully I will never experience this problem again. Maybe I should buy a trailer and just "ride" the tractor around town once in a while. Thanks to all for your suggestions!

 

[gsgator]

Sorry for being so late on this, I haven't been on in a while. I have a Branson 2910 with the same problem. It happens with the box blade, but not the bush hog. Did the dealer ever give you a definitive answer for the problem?

 

[Red_rider]

Since we couldn't get it to do it at the dealer I don't have a definitive answer. One of the 4220s at the dealer has also started doing it. Mine was fine the first few days after I got it back. I've had the blade on since I got it back. I was out the other night doing some road work and it started again. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Minimal movement (1/2 inch or so), but disturbing enough that you notice. It was fairly cold (20's), but that hasn't seemed to matter in the past. If I drop the blade 3-4 inches it quits. Branson has a show in Fishersville the next few days - hope to catch up with the guys from Branson and my dealer there this afternoon. So far I know of 3 others on the TBN site with a similar issue - 1 Century, the rest Branson. I'll keep posting here with updates!

 

[Red_rider]

Forgot to add this. It has been sitting for two days now with the blade in the high position and hasn't dropped at all. The funny this is, when you start the tractor it drops a 1/2 inch or so and bounces back up. Shut it off and it stays up. Gotta be a valve sticking or something!

 

[KiotiJohn]

Yep, it sounds as though when you put it up all the way,the pressure is hitting the relief valve, dropping down a little and the relief closes again, raises, and hits the relief again.
I don't know why it would be doing it, but that seems to be what's happening. I just can't imagine why it wouldn't do it with other implements. John

 

[Red_rider]

I talked with the lead mechanic at the dealer yesterday and told him I would stop by the shop this morning. I got real energetic last night and tried both the blade and rake on it. Both bounced - not much, but enough. I adjusted everything! Since it was doing it at full height I adjusted it to stop a couple of inches lower than full height - while it still bounced, it was less pronounced.

I even went as far as video taping it. Took the tape with me to the dealer this morning and everybody watched it. The mechanic agrees with you - probably the relief valve. Hope to get it to them the first of the week. I'm hanging on to it for the weekend since we may be in for a little of the white stuff. I hate nuisance problems. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif