Other Bob
Member
One of the lift cylinders on my FEL is leaking at the rod seal, also one of the hoses on the same cylinder has a drip. Fluid doesn't squirt out but it does have a pretty steady drip every few seconds. Also the quick connects have a slow drip, not enough that you see it but enough that the rear axle is oily. I've had the tractor for a few months and hadn't had any hydraulic problems other than the leaks. I'm mostly using it to move bales with the 3pt every couple of weeks so it hasn't been used much.
A couple of weeks ago I started up the tractor, lifted the loader about a foot and started driving off. I got to a hill and needed to raise the loader higher but it wouldn't raise. Tilt worked fine and it had power when lowering, just wouldn't raise. After setting and trying for several minutes it started working again. The only other symptom I could remember was it was jumpy, I was assuming that was because the leaking cylinder wasn't keeping up with the non leaking cylinder causing uneven pressure but that was just my guess.
Started it up a few days ago and couldn't raise the loader at all. Assumed it was due to being low on hydraulic fluid since it's been leaking. Added a couple of gallons yesterday and tried again. Still couldn't raise the loader, bucket tilts up and down, and down pressure was good. So, I was thinking maybe the leaking cylinder was mostly full of air since the lower end of the cylinder was leaking. Tried lifting for around 1/2 hour, I could hear the change in engine load when I tried to lift but loader didn't move. Finally when I was about to give up I throttled the tractor back to low idle and just before giving up gave it one more try. This time it lifted, just raised it about 3 feet and left it while I moved bales.
So now I'm confused is there some reason that trying at low idle vs 1400 rpms would matter? Is it not working likely due to air in the cylinders or is it possible the leak on that cylinder had allowed moisture that is freazing a hose on that cylinder? It was wekk below freezing the last several days. Just trying to get an idea of what it may be so I can move bales again next week.
I did order new seals for the cylinder but haven't had the time or weather to attempt that repair yet. Just hoping to get throught the winter in it's current state.
A couple of weeks ago I started up the tractor, lifted the loader about a foot and started driving off. I got to a hill and needed to raise the loader higher but it wouldn't raise. Tilt worked fine and it had power when lowering, just wouldn't raise. After setting and trying for several minutes it started working again. The only other symptom I could remember was it was jumpy, I was assuming that was because the leaking cylinder wasn't keeping up with the non leaking cylinder causing uneven pressure but that was just my guess.
Started it up a few days ago and couldn't raise the loader at all. Assumed it was due to being low on hydraulic fluid since it's been leaking. Added a couple of gallons yesterday and tried again. Still couldn't raise the loader, bucket tilts up and down, and down pressure was good. So, I was thinking maybe the leaking cylinder was mostly full of air since the lower end of the cylinder was leaking. Tried lifting for around 1/2 hour, I could hear the change in engine load when I tried to lift but loader didn't move. Finally when I was about to give up I throttled the tractor back to low idle and just before giving up gave it one more try. This time it lifted, just raised it about 3 feet and left it while I moved bales.
So now I'm confused is there some reason that trying at low idle vs 1400 rpms would matter? Is it not working likely due to air in the cylinders or is it possible the leak on that cylinder had allowed moisture that is freazing a hose on that cylinder? It was wekk below freezing the last several days. Just trying to get an idea of what it may be so I can move bales again next week.
I did order new seals for the cylinder but haven't had the time or weather to attempt that repair yet. Just hoping to get throught the winter in it's current state.
