Loader FEL control very stiff

[billclarketbn]

I have a 2300 with the Nimco 10339-2s FEL controller on it. About 13 years old with 350 hours total time. Always lived in garage.

When sitting parked for a couple of days, the control is quite stiff for the first couple of moves (up and down). I generally will exercise the control before use. After that, the movement is OK.

If I shoot some lube inside the boot on anything that moves (ball joints and pistons), things are fine for a few days to a couple of weeks (depending on usage).

I also have a small leak coming from the control - drops only, but messy on the shoes after a few hours of use - I have not explored where this is coming from.

Any thoughts before I get too far into this problem? Thank you.

 

[DMW]

The o-rings may be failing/binding. Clean off the valve and determine where the oil is coming from. If from the control lever side, it is a lot more involved than if just from the capped ends. Buy 10 or so Buna-n 13.3 x 2.4 0-rings, shipping will be the majority of the cost. Spares if any are damaged on installation, or future use. You could order the Agco part, but with the age of the tractor, more leaks will develop. They are pretty pricey.

 

[JWR]

DMW is about right. However, unless you are adept at rebuilding things hydraulic, I would find an experienced hydraulics shop and have them rebuild the control valve. They'll not only have the O-rings, they'll find what if anything else may be wrong. Clearances and tolerances tend to be tight in those things. I have found NIMCO customer support pretty accommodating and since you have the exact model number/part number it would not hurt to call them and ask advice first.

 

[DMW]

If the leak is from the capped end o rings, they can be easily replaced. Might get another year or two or three out of it before it starts leaking again from somewhere else. They seem to go first. It will stop the oil dripping on your boots for now. At 350 hours, age not use, is the issue. If you're planning to keep it for a while, a valve rebuild is a good idea as JWR says, then you shouldn't have to worry about for another decade. $60 for a seal kit, plus labor is still a lot cheaper than a new valve.

 

[irvingj]

To get an idea of what it looks like in there, see the thread about "float" position on these valves. Some decent pics there.

 

[billclarketbn]

Did a search - actually several - and cannot find the thread. Gave the control a bath yesterday and will watch to see exactly where the fluid is weeping from. I may take the control off and see if the Mahindra dealer will rebuilt it. My MF dealer is lacking in desire to service the small equipment that they sell. They appear to use the same valve.

 

[irvingj]

"Loader GC2610 float..." Try that thread.

 

[billclarketbn]

Got it - thank you. What is the red grease? I have been using a white lithium grease. Works well, but not long lasting - slide boot off every few weeks.

On the PA-22: History? Any STCs?

 

[irvingj]

Red grease was just what I had on hand -- same as what I use for the zerks on the tractor.

1956 PA-22-150, O-320 700SMOH; dual toe brakes, alternator conversion, Mogas ready, Sullivan tips, Bogert battery box w/Hawker Odyssey AGM, DK fuel selector, fully metalized skin. Still fixing other previously accomplished screw-ups but hope to be back in the air this fall. Been a long process!

 

[billclarketbn]

Closely inspect the frame/welds periodically - as you are comfortable with. Once metalized, they are too often forgotten. Oil in the struts? I have more than a couple of hours flying most everything that had props on it. Even did a few books on the subject - published by McGrawHill. My all time most fun airplane was the PA-11 90hp. Never higher than a couple of hundred feet. Other favs include the C185 and the little Comanche Twin. Bigger stuff - the DC-3 of course. I like utility. Too old to fly now - can't pass the physical. So I have my GC2300.