FEL Leakdown

[woodlandfarms]

Just so I know what is right and wrong.... I put my mower up high just to take a look to see if anything is jammed under it. (Float and draft are off). Kill the engine and walk around to inspect. The mower slowly starts to creak down. I would say from 5 ft up it would take an hour to hit the bottom.

I remember on our old farm stuff that it would take weeks to leak down. But that was heavy machinery.

Just wondering if this is right or not or if I need another seal kit...

Carl

 

[Bob999]

Just so I know what is right and wrong.... I put my mower up high just to take a look to see if anything is jammed under it. (Float and draft are off). Kill the engine and walk around to inspect. The mower slowly starts to creak down. I would say from 5 ft up it would take an hour to hit the bottom.

I remember on our old farm stuff that it would take weeks to leak down. But that was heavy machinery.

Just wondering if this is right or not or if I need another seal kit...

Carl

What you are experiencing is similar to my 1845. I think it is normal for PT hydraulic cylinders. The rate of leak down is a function of manufacturing tolerances, seal design, and wear. There was discussion a couple of years ago about this and I think the end point was that the PT hydraulic cylinders have a highter leak rate than many manufacturers products.

 

[MossRoad]

Yes, Everyone agrees that the PTs leak down. My pt425 does it, too.

 

[NJBill]

The heat is keeping me from any ouitdoor activity, I think Thursday we get a break, then I can check my PT.
I'm expecting a problem because my lifting arms have been at full height for three days now. I was expecting to go out and do some work in the front area and forgot to lower the arm, hope I'm thinking wrong!

 

[jfh28]

I hope it's normal because mine have done that since day one. Both fel and the backhoe...I've just gotten into the habit of dropping them when I park. I also have to bring the hoe back up occasionally during work, otherwise it looks like I've got a tail on the back!

Jack

 

[J_J]

The heat is keeping me from any ouitdoor activity, I think Thursday we get a break, then I can check my PT.
I'm expecting a problem because my lifting arms have been at full height for three days now. I was expecting to go out and do some work in the front area and forgot to lower the arm, hope I'm thinking wrong!

If you don't have a load on the lift arms, they may stay up days or up to a week.

Yes, just about all hydraulics will leak down over time. Even with check valves, the cylinders will try and equalize. You may have heard about load checks, but they are in the valves, to prevent the load from dropping suddenly, when changing positions.

Always try and lower any hydraulics for safety reasons. Anyone could touch the joystick, and the load will drop expectantly