bx24 backhoe squeal

cubowner · Apr 17, 2011

I was using my bx24 backhoe today to dig a trench when all of a sudden the hoe was making a squealing noise when moving the hoe from left to right and right to left. I shut the machine down and let it sit for a few and tried it again same noise. After about ten minutes the noise stopped but it seems the side to side movement is slow now.

Tompet · Apr 17, 2011

Just in case. Have you greased the main boom pivot? The part of the boom at the base where it attaches to the plate.

cubowner · Apr 18, 2011

I have. The noise sounded like a bearing squeal/grind it sounded like it was coming from the manifold that all the hydraulic lines connect to in the backhoe.

radioman · Apr 18, 2011

did you check your hydraulic oil level? It would be the first thing I would check while its cold if you are having issues. If it really low, it would make bubbles and air is bad.
Check the upper and lower grease fittings hinge pivot for grease, if there is a small rock or something and hydraulic is trying to moving against higher then the relief valve kicking in, it will make that noise.

Make sure the left/right DA ram is not bent.

cubowner · Apr 24, 2011

I checked for anything bent nada. Also checked the hydraulic fluid it is full but after running the hoe for a few minutes there were bubbles in the hydraulic fluid. Loader seems fine but the hoe seems a little slow still.

cubowner · Apr 25, 2011

Also after running for several minutes I checked the hydraulic level and found it to be very foamy. Any help would be appreciated.

radioman · Apr 25, 2011

A little bit of bubbles is normal. alot of bubbles means air is getting in the system. did you check the level when it was cold? if level is good cold and still getting foam when running the BH, perhaps your BH lines is letting air into the system. I would disconnect all the quick disconnects hoses and inspect o rings and reconnect. chances are a bad o ring inside coupler OR unseated couplers. Sometimes it looks connected but its really not.

cubowner · Apr 25, 2011

I did check the system whan it was cold. Should I do it withthe backhoe on? Also even if I don't run the hoe I get the bubbles and foaming. But everthing else works ok.

bird1968 · Apr 25, 2011

Disconnect & reconnect your hyd lines (back of tractor). I had the same sound, the factory fitting are not the best on these (restricted hyd flow makes the noise)

Deano · Apr 25, 2011

Next time it does it, reach down and move the lines around. Mine did that once and I thought the pump was eating itself. Found out it was one of the fittings vibrating at high frequency against the backhoe frame that was causing the noise. My neighbors did the same thing and he re-adjusted where the hoses were lying and it fixed it!

Deano

ibnxe · Apr 25, 2011

cubowner,
Because your hydraulic fluid is getting foamy, you have an air leak. Air cannot enter the system on the pressure side of the system, so be looking for the leak on the suction side. If your BX24 is like the BX23, there is a rubber hose in the plumbing between the resevoir and the pump. This is the most likely place that air will enter the system. These hoses have been known to crack.

cubowner · Apr 26, 2011

I am being told by the dealer that the bubbles and foaming is due to cheap hydraulic fluid being used and or water in the fluid. I explained it is the original fluid that came from the factory. Machine only has 198 hours on it. I bought new fluid so I am going to change it tonight to rule out water in the fluid and just to be on the safe side since I am the 2nd owner. Asked him about the air leak he said he has heard no such thing and swers it is fluid or cheap fluid causing the bubbles and foaming.

CHDinCT · Apr 26, 2011

cubowner said:
I am being told by the dealer that the bubbles and foaming is due to cheap hydraulic fluid being used and or water in the fluid. I explained it is the original fluid that came from the factory. Machine only has 198 hours on it. I bought new fluid so I am going to change it tonight to rule out water in the fluid and just to be on the safe side since I am the 2nd owner. Asked him about the air leak he said he has heard no such thing and swers it is fluid or cheap fluid causing the bubbles and foaming.

If you're the 2nd owner and have never changed the fluid, then I would do as he says and put in some SUDT or SUDT2 since you really have no other way to know for sure what's in the system. Let us know if it helps. There have been numerous reports of more whine and poorer performance with aftermarket brands of HST oil so this could be the issue.

radioman · Apr 26, 2011

that comment from the dealer is really weak. I would not accept that. They should have known that you bought the tractor from them. You know its shipped dry and the dealer will install/top off fluids before delivery. I would've asked what did they put in it as they are the ones who supposed to check the fluids before delivery.

I concur that you gotta be getting air in somewhere. I dont know where though. Perhaps you could try taking the bh off and use it for the day and examine the fluid again. If you still have foamy look, perhaps either water got into the fluid or you have air getting in somewhere and its time for the dealer to take a look. afterall its still under warranty period.

638 · Apr 26, 2011

Suction screen stopped up, sucking air around the pump shaft??

cubowner · Apr 28, 2011

Thanks for all the help. I checked the hoses all looks good waiting on some nice weather here in ct to change the fluid. If there is water in the fluid, what do you do about the fluid that is in the loader and backhoe? Drain if so how? Since I would not want to recontaminate the new fluid.

cubowner · May 2, 2011

Well I replaced the hydraulic fluid,filter and cleaned the screen, also greased all joints but the hoe still seems slow. The left to right movement takes about 5-6 seconds. Not sure what else to check any sugestions.

radioman · May 3, 2011

whats the rpms are you running at ? did you try reseating all hoses disconnects?

cubowner · May 3, 2011

I am running at full throttle and I reseated all hoses / connectors. Not sure what else to do

ayelvington · May 3, 2011

I'm thinking that the over-pressure valve is stuck open, shunting fluid that would be moving the arm.

One thing you can do to validate that the pump and the like are fine is to take the backhoe off, reinstall your 3-point hitch, and hook up something heavy. The raise and lower arms should work at the usual speed.

If the arms are running slow, then you have a bypass problem that you'll need to tackle.

good luck! I was on my BX for 4 hours in the rain digging trenches to drain flooded fields...