FEL arms won't go down when cold

barfdog · Jan 18, 2012

I am having an issue with a Kubota B2400 with an LA351 loader. Lately, when I start it up, the FEL arms will go up but don't go down. It starts squealing when I try to lower the arms.

Here are the symptoms:

1) Cold - arms won't go down, squeals when you try, other FEL functions work
2) Cold - if you simultaneously tilt the bucket up or down, you can lower the arms
3) Warm - seems to work fine.

I am a hydraulic idiot, thanks for any advice.

J_J · Jan 18, 2012

Unplug and re-seat the QD's.

Perhaps you have some water in the fluid and it is freezing.

What color is the fluid?

Maybe try a thinner fluid or a fluid made for your climate.

barfdog · Feb 25, 2012

J_J, thanks for the info, I haven't been on the tractor until today. I tried what you suggested, but that didn't work. I then realized that it had nothing to do with the cold, but wasn't working when the 3 point hitch was up. The 3 point hitch was making the squealing noise when it was all the way up. I adjusted the stop nut on the three point hitch lever so it wouldn't go as far. That solved the problem. The nut must have loosened up and was causing the 3 point lever to go too far.

Thanks for your help.

J_J · Feb 26, 2012

Your 3pt was probably in relief, and that will cause problems with the loader.

If you put a gage in the hyd circuit, you will know when and how much pressure and whether there is no pressure so the loader will work normally.