Front-End Loader FEL bucket won't tilt down

[oslaton]

My 2 year old 6525's FEL bucket just instantly stopped being able to tilt down. It is now in the most upward position. It was working just fine and after the last bucket load, it would not tilt. When operating the controls it sounds like it is pressuring up just as it would at any maximum position. I disconnected the bucket from the cylinders but they still would not extend. Joystick seems to be working. Removed boot and all is still new and greased. All other hydraulics work fine. I just can't dump the bucket. Any suggestions?

 

[oldnslo]

Try disconnecting and reconnecting the quick disconnects in the tilt circuit. Possible of them has been slightly disconnected from a hose being pulled on.

 

[TSO]

Does this have quick connects for the loader (mid point, removable loader? If so, Check to make sure they are all connected properly by disconnecting and reconnecting them. Make sure to turn the machine off and relieve system pressure first.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm with these guys, a hose coupler has failed or is partially uncoupled.

 

[Qapla]

When that happened to us that is exactly what it was ... one of the QD popped lose.

 

[nikdfish]

Unseated quick connect did that to me, too...

Nick

 

[oslaton]

Thanks for the replies but I have already checked all connections, switched some around trying to identify a bad coupling and even reversed some hoses. It seems that the return line may not be releasing. When I reversed the two bucket lines lines, the problem was it would not tilt back. Opposite of what it did before. That line also held pressure even after killing engine and working joystick to relieve pressure. I do not have much experience with hydraulic control units. How would one check the releasing circuit? If that is what it is called.

 

[ovrszd]

Not saying it's not your valve..... But that's rare. Usually a coupler.

How about swapping the bucket tilt hoses with the boom lift hoses and see if the problem is still the tilt???

 

[TSO]

Thanks for the replies but I have already checked all connections, switched some around trying to identify a bad coupling and even reversed some hoses. It seems that the return line may not be releasing. When I reversed the two bucket lines lines, the problem was it would not tilt back. Opposite of what it did before. That line also held pressure even after killing engine and working joystick to relieve pressure. I do not have much experience with hydraulic control units. How would one check the releasing circuit? If that is what it is called.

If pressure isn't releasing back into the system, it's still likely that the hose cooler is the issue. On that disconnect (the one for the circuit that is apparently malfunctioning) check the coupler itself. I had the issue once and the spring inside the male coupler tip was malfunctioning, and the tip wasn't returning to center. It didn't do it every time, so it was actually tricky to figure out at first. I went to my local dealer and picked up a new coupler, screwed it on, and everything was fixed.

 

[ovrszd]

If pressure isn't releasing back into the system, it's still likely that the hose cooler is the issue. On that disconnect (the one for the circuit that is apparently malfunctioning) check the coupler itself. I had the issue once and the spring inside the male coupler tip was malfunctioning, and the tip wasn't returning to center. It didn't do it every time, so it was actually tricky to figure out at first. I went to my local dealer and picked up a new coupler, screwed it on, and everything was fixed.

Yep. I'm leaning toward coupler. If so, by switching the boom lift and bucket tilt circuits he'll figure that out pretty quick.

 

[joeyd]

I had a similar problem but I could not curl my bucket up or down. It turned out that I broke the cable that went from my joystick to the valve. A quick trip to the dealer for a new cable then a few hours of trying the correct combination of adjustments to get it all back together. I had to remove both cables from the joystick to get it back on the central pivot point.

 

[bamboozled]

My bucket tilt was acting weird a couple weeks ago too.

The quick-connect had come undone at the valve. My curl worked but only the gravity dump would work. If I went over to regen then the bucket would curl again. I thought I blew out some internal seals until I finally noticed the coupler had come undone.

 

[Leejohn]

Didn't he say the engine was loading down? Bleed some oil out of the line going to the rod end and see if it well drop down then.

 

[ch1ch2]

I had a similar problem but I could not curl my bucket up or down. It turned out that I broke the cable that went from my joystick to the valve. A quick trip to the dealer for a new cable then a few hours of trying the correct combination of adjustments to get it all back together. I had to remove both cables from the joystick to get it back on the central pivot point.

I also had that problem but my cable was only loose. After 5 minutes of trouble shooting it took 1 minute to repair.

 

[LD1]

Ditto what has been said.

My money is on a coupler. But swapping lift and curl hoses will confirm weather its the valve or hoses.

 

[JWR]

The suggestions the guys have already made are good ones. Reseat every single one of the quick connects. Some may be buried where you have never had them apart before. They also suggested swapping hoses to see if the tilt was really hung up or else the (unlikely) loader valve issue. OK. What dealer mechanics usually do with this sort of problem is insert a set of gauges into the various quick connects and take pressure readings. You might get that diagnostic service done pretty cheaply. Since the loader valve CAN cause such issues, take a look at the small (inch or so diameter) spool end covers on the loader valve. Should find 4, 2 on one end and 2 on the other. Typically they are secured with long 1/8" screws with Allen wrench heads to loosen or tighten. Since the tolerances are so tight on those spools , if any ends are loose that could cause your issue (though not likely.) Control cable connections to the loader valve spool ends are usually threaded and offer adjustment too.I would not dick with those until/unless you have exhausted the connectors for sure. Best of luck and let us know what finally fixed it.

 

[texascedar]

Does this have quick connects for the loader (mid point, removable loader? If so, Check to make sure they are all connected properly by disconnecting and reconnecting them. Make sure to turn the machine off and relieve system pressure first.

2 years 8 months after this post.......My LS XG3032 FEL stopped dumping. I spent six hours on the Internet today reading about joysticks, cables and controllers trying to figure out the problem then I ran across this post.

Thanks to this post I remembered two months ago my dealer installed a new clutch in this tractor and had to remove the FEL. I went out to check how cables were disconnected for the removal. Guess what one of the mid point Quick Connectors had disconnected. Bam! Problem solved.

 

[TSO]

2 years 8 months after this post.......My LS XG3032 FEL stopped dumping. I spent six hours on the Internet today reading about joysticks, cables and controllers trying to figure out the problem then I ran across this post.

Thanks to this post I remembered two months ago my dealer installed a new clutch in this tractor and had to remove the FEL. I went out to check how cables were disconnected for the removal. Guess what one of the mid point Quick Connectors had disconnected. Bam! Problem solved.

 

[alvadude]

hey all!I have the same problem on an L4740,checked connectors and hoses,found nothing,resated as well all couplers to no avail,replaced a leaking seal in one cylinder and still wont tilt down hydraulically,getting ready to look closely at the control valve,any suggestions would be appreciated.also the pump labors when down is actuated.

 

[oldnslo]

Alva
Quick disconnects can fail due to a internal springs getting weak.

Try curling the bucket slightly and then feather the control very slowly try to dump. If you can dump slowly and fails faster one of the quick disconnects is most likely the problem.