Cylinder Won't retract all the way

[Belarus572]

I just bought a 1993 Belarus 572 and I'm going over it to fix all the problems I can find before the winter. I've fixed a few little things so far but I don't know too much about hydraulics so this one has me stumped.

One of the cylinders on my loader will not retract all the way. It is always extended about an inch more than the one on the other side which is identical, so the loader is always a little crooked. I tried moving the loader up and down, and lifting the machine off the ground with it. I tried putting a block under one side and lifting the front off the ground to force them to even out, but after several hours nothing budges.

One thing I did notice is that when the cylinder that retracts all the way is retracted it rubs on the frame, so mayeb my problem isn't a cylinder that won't retract, but the other that retracts too far?

Thanks. This is my first post, so I hope it isn't too foolish.

 

[KennyV]

Something is bent
If the loader boom arms are bent or twisted or if the mounts for the loader are not mounted square to the tractor frame or tractor frame is twisted, you will end up with the problem you are having.
Start with tractor frame dead level and work your way through. KennyV.

 

[3RRL]

Welcome to TBN and Not a foolish question at all.
I agree with what Kenny said and also, I'm wondering if you've checked the curl stops? Those are pieces of steel that physically limit the amount of curl and dump. On my fel, the are welded in place so that there is always about an inch or so left for full retraction and extension. The stops keeps the bucket from rotating too much in either direction, possibly allowing the cylinder rods to hit the fel arms.
So check to see if the stops are the same on both sides.

On edit, I don't think you're talking about the bucket curl but more the fel arms?

 

[Belarus572]

Thanks for the tips. I think what I'll try is unhooking the cylinders at one end and see how they opperate like that.

Yes, I was talking about the arms, but thanks for the info on the curl.

 

[rdbrumfield]

just for my 2cents, unhooking both cyl and checking full length and retracted, just wonder if someone changed one out and they are different by a small amount.

 

[Belarus572]

I was able to retract both cylinders all the way. They were the same. I found some loose and missing and so that has things a bit crooked. I'm going to try and find some metric bolts and see if that helps.

 

[Belarus572]

Just wanted to give you all an update. I found some bolts and tightened evertyhing up, but that was no help. I am going to take it in to a welder to see if he can straighten it.