Brand new CB65 backhoe- is this a problem

[plowhog]

I am putting some backhoe time on my new GC1710. Tearing out 35 year old overgrown junipers.

So far, the digging part works great. But I noticed something that does not seem right. The backhoe arm will move on its own.

When I extend the bucket straight out, sort of at eye level behind the tractor, if I let go of all of the controls the boom/arm will slowly lower. Is this right? It's not real fast, but it does move. Maybe an inch a second downward, perhaps a little more.

It would seem to me that the arm should stay in the place I leave it, not slowly move. It's almost like its bleeding hydraulic pressure or something, but I'm not sure. It operates in all directions just fine, and seems to have no other problems. I was running the engine at the top of the green arc at the time, right at the green/yellow dividing line.

I first noticed this in some other digging configuration, and so I put the boom/arm all the way extended as a test. Sure enough it moves on its own!

 

[Billrog]

If the engine is running or off nothing should move if the controls are in neutral position. I would start with the boom control valve & if that's OK next it may be the cylinder packing. Sorry I'm not much help not being familiar with your back hoe but some one here I'm sure can give you good advice how to trouble shoot.

 

[ch1ch2]

You said it was brand new.
Contact your dealer.

 

[ray66v]

That cylinder seems to have what is called, an internal leak.

If so, a simple replacement of some seals inside, will take care of it.

 

[plowhog]

Thanks for the advice. I'll check with the dealer tomorrow and see if I can get the seals replaced.

 

[plowhog]

Dealer said maybe the control was not returning 100% to the neutral position. I will check that and see what I learn. If its not that, then it sounds like a replacement seal is needed. btw here are *some* of the junipers getting torn out!

 

[thclimer]

Wow, what view. How far off in the distance are the mountains?

I'll bet the junipers are pretty root bound, probably like digging in very rocky soil.

Hope your dealer can fix the leak.

 

[Ooklaa]

Does it move when its off or on?

 

[plowhog]

Thanks. That's a small mountain range to the east of Reno, NV, about 8 miles away. The BIG mountains are behind the property and not in the picture-- our new property backs up to the Sierra Nevada range. If you look closely at the photo there is a white vertical spike above the red building on the left. That's the control tower at the Reno, NV airport. About 3-4 miles away.

The backhoe will move (drop) about 1 inch per second (estimate) even while the engine is running. I also noticed when I park the tractor the backhoe is in one position, but overnight it will drop lower than what it was when it was parked. The dealer said that is normal (overnight change) but being able to watch it visually drop on its own while the engine is at high rpm is admittedly not.

 

[Gary Fowler]

All my cylinders on m B26 backhoe will leak down overnight/over days. The boom leaks down the quickest, but you shouldn't have any noticeable movement in minutes. It could be the control valve or the seals but the dealer should fix it free of charge.