BX23 seems slow and weak

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

My BX23 seems to work in slow motion when using the backhoe and the FEL doesn't seem as strong.

I checked the hydro fluid and the level was perfect. The oil was changed during a few months ago during a full service check at my Kubota dealer.

One day this summer I was digging holes for a deck during 90 degree weather and after a couple hours of work I thought the machine was not going to make it when the back hoe was moving so slow.

I have about 150 hours and when I look back from when I first bought the BX23 new, the backhoe use to move very fast.

Any thoughts

 

[Ken_CT]

Are you using SUDT?

 

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

Hi Ken - I haven't been at TractorbyNet in a long time - see your still here - good timing.

I had the fluids changed and nort sure what I have for hydro fluid. I would say UDT

 

[638]

You need to put a pressure guage on it and check your system pressure. Mine as low and had the same symptoms.

ron

 

[TractorTodd]

Make sure your 3pt hitch control lever is returning to neutral.

 

[Ken_CT]

Hi Jim,
I hope you're enjoying the dry weather we're having here, I hope it rains soon. Being a fellow BX23 owner, I am very interested in any problems and solutions dealing with that tractor, so please post what the fix was when it's solved. I remember reading about using UDT in the BX23 affecting operations when it was hot, but I can't find any info about it now. I'm aproaching 300 hrs and except for having to weld the air filter bracket, there have been no problems. Have you installed a block heater yet? It sure helps on those very cold snow plowing days.

Ken

 

[Volfandt]

Make sure your 3pt hitch control lever is returning to neutral.

Ditto.....

 

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

Thank-you everyone. I have never used the 3pt hitch control lever as I have never used the 3pt option. Is this a lever I might have moved getting on an off the tractor? What happens and what would I look for beyond the lever position - example would something be spinning or heard? I've only used the BH and FEL so sorry in experience.

Never did the pressure guage check and not sure how to do it and what to look for. It was in the Kubota shop and I haven't worked it that hard.

Ron - what did you do when you found your pressure was to correct the pressure?

Hi Ken - no solution yet as you can see. Will check the lever. Any other thoughts out there would be great.

 

[Volfandt]

I have never used the 3pt hitch control lever as I have never used the 3pt option. Is this a lever I might have moved getting on an off the tractor? What happens and what would I look for beyond the lever position - example would something be spinning or heard?

The 3PH lever is on the right side and needs to be in the middle position.
It is very easy to accidentally move it when trying to shifting between Hi and Lo as they are side by side.

In most all tractor hydrauic systems, all of the hydraulic implement and tractor controls are in "series" with one another. Meaning fluid passes through all controls all the time. The valves are designed to permit full flow through them when they are in "neutral" so as to not effect the next implement/control inline. If one valve is partially actuated it will restrict flow through it meaning less pressure gets to the next implement.
On a BX, the most common reason why an FEL or BH or even the steering gets very slow & sluggish is because the 3PH is partially actuated which restricts flow throughout the entire hydraulic system.

Normally you'll hear a squealing sound as the fluid pressure is trying to get past the partially actuated 3PH valve.

There is an adjustment on the 3PH rod that forces the 3PH lever back to neutral once the lift reaches full up/down and yours may be out of adjustment.
You can simply manually return the 3PH lever to neutral to see if this is your problem.

 

[tommu56]

Tractor_Jim_CT

I had the same issue a couple of times.
I made a Gage with QD's and plugged it in to one of the loader lines and pushed stick till cylinder was at the end of stroke and red the Gage and it was in spec.
It hasn't done it since.
I priced the test fixture for hydraulic pump system test and it was out of sight!
Hence my Rube Goldberg test I could see were reliefe valve tripped off.

tom

 

[drtydeed]

Folks,

I've been having the same issue. I noticed it since I just changed the hydraulic fluid and filter 2wks ago (yes, I used SUDT and cleaned the strainer). I also adjusted the 3pt hitch control so that it would return to neutral setting after lifting (it has never worked properly). Now, I may have to turn it back to where it was.

Has anyone "tweaked" the pressure relief valves to goet some more umph? Please post any resolutions to this issue you find. Thanks

 

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

I checked the 3 pt hitch control lever on the right - it appeared to be in the middle position. I moved it forward and hear it work - moved it up and then it seemed to rest fine in the middle neutral postion. I observed the movement of the bh bucket in the air and it opens out fairly fast - but the scoop back seems a great deal slower. No sure if the direction of slow means anything.

I filled tank with diesel and didn't do any work today. I still thinks it's something else. I have no idea how to put a test quage on or interpret the the guage results.

 

[638]

T J CT,

I cut a shim and put it under the pressure relief spring. Raised the pressure to about 100 psi over factory spec. I figured the spring would take another set (get weaker) as time went by and be back to spec before long.

ron

 

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

638 - Where is the pressure spring located and has anyone else done this?
Does any fellow TractorByNet viewers have a picture?

 

[638]

Its been a while since I adjusted mine, but if I remember correctly, the pressure relief valve is located behind the left rear tire. Specs. call for 1778 to 1849 psi. I went to about 1950 psi. By the way, I used a business card for the shim stock and placed the card shims between the existing shims. They're not going to get out into the system. My pressure guage set up is the same as tummu56's.

ron

 

[Ken_CT]

Tractor_Jim_CT,
Have you solved the problem yet? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ken

 

[Tractor_Jim_CT]

Thanks for asking Ken. I've read some of the replies and I don't think this is something I can handle myself. I thinking of maybe having my Kobota dealer look at it - it puzzles me since they just had the machine 4 months ago.

Looking back to when you first got your BX23, didn't it seem went you moved the controls, the BH zipped around or is it we got good on the bH so it just seems slow? I think it's the first - being it zipped and was faster.

If anyone has pictures of what you need and how you do it - I can give it a try or it's another $300 to Kobota.

 

[Berniep]

As I got better at the controls I tended to try to use more functions at a time thus slowing down the individual cylinders. My swing, for instance will still zip around, but not if I am trying to exdtend the dipper and/or boom at the same time.

 

[tommu56]

I finally got a chance to take picture of my test gauge i made to check hydraulic presure

its just one female QD one male QD one tee one elbow and a nipple and gauge all high high pressure guage is 5000lb per square inch
Tom

 

[ultrarunner]

I want one!