Broken curl function?

[VashonFarmer]

I was trying out my new grapple mounted on my Bobcat CT225. The grapple was against a small tree and I pushed it forward with the tractor. There was a SNAP and I lost the curl function. I can curl the cylinders back by using the ground, but they don't hold as soon as I lift the arms.

I took the grapple off and tried again. With the arms in the air I get a quick drop of the curl. Using the curl motion on the stick only increases the drop rate. Dump still seems to work, but I think it is weak. I also rechecked the quick connects. They are fine.

I hate to ask, but how bad is it?

 

[VashonFarmer]

One other item, which may be a red herring: Over the last week or so I had begun to notice a drop in the bucket curl when sitting. Seemed to be new.

The machine has 380 hours on it, but I have only had it for the last 15 of those.

 

[kennyd]

Sounds like you blew the seals in one or both cylinders, the piston came off the rod, or a rod has broken.

 

[VashonFarmer]

Thanks KennyD,

So I guess something inside the cylinder makes the most sense. I'll open them up and start there.

 

[oldnslo]

Test to isolate the cylinders from the valve
Lower the FEL to the ground with the bucket flat, unhook the quick disconnects for the curl function. Raise the FEL, does the bucket dump?

If yes some is wrong in one or both of the cylinders is leaking internally

 

[VashonFarmer]

Thanks for sending me in the right direction. I pulled the pin on the bucket end of one side and the whole rod slid right out of the cylinder when I pulled on it, leaving the piston nut inside. I took apart the other side and found that nut backed off half way. The only noticeable damage is some stripped threads on the nut that popped.

I have new seal kits coming to put it all back together and will use some red LocTite on the piston nuts.

My only question now is should I be concerned about the lift cylinders? I have not noticed any leak down. I will also pull off one end and see if there is any slop. It's bothersome for this to have happened with relatively low hours, but I'd rather not disassemble them if it's not an issue.

Thanks again

 

[wdchyd]

yes, you should be concerned.......factory didn't torque the nuts properly or didn't use Loctite......do the other cylinder too (new nuts/seals too if you can)

 

[VashonFarmer]

Yes, wdchyd, I had that thought but it's good to hear someone else say it.

I have seals and nuts for both the bucket cylinders and they will be all new when they go back on.

Thanks