fel problem

19th_VA · May 27, 2003

The last time I used the loader, it seemed to be losing some power when curling the bucket. I thought it might be due to fluid loss (looked and thought it was low but the darn fluid was just too clean to see /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. I added a bit of fluid before realizing it was nearly full. Yesterday when trying to curl the bucket, it started to make an awful squeaking sound (kind of like fingernails on a chalkboard on a grand scale) when I tried to curl the bucket. It also has little power compared to before I noticed the problem. All the other functions of the loader seem to be working fine. So what sayeth the experts?

markie61 · May 27, 2003

When overloading the hydraulics, there is usally a loud, disconcerting noise that could be described as "sort of nails on a chalkboard."

Let's start with the easy stuff:

Have you had it off the tractor (connections are on completely and to proper connectors?)
Nothing stuck/jammed keeping the bucket from moving freely?
Any recent incidents/shocks to the loader?
Follow your hydraulic lines - any dents in the metal lines/kinks in the flexible lines?

Mark

19th_VA · May 27, 2003

( Have you had it off the tractor (connections are on completely and to proper connectors?) )
No
( Nothing stuck/jammed keeping the bucket from moving freely? )
If there is, it's only preventing this one particular action. Have to admit, I'll need to check this more carefully.
( Any recent incidents/shocks to the loader? )
I don't think so. Just normal use.
( Follow your hydraulic lines - any dents in the metal lines/kinks in the flexible lines? )
I did do this as thoroughly as possible without having the tractor on a lift of some sort and didn't find anything.

19th_VA · May 27, 2003

Almost forgot, Mark--Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous Poster · May 27, 2003

Uh Oh, we can't have this with a Branson!

Jonathan, when you say little power, are you refering only to the bucket curling function or to all functions?

Have you greased the loader? The loader manual calls for greasing 18 fittings every 10 hours. Could be a dry grease point, perhaps one that didn't get lubed properly in the first place.

SnowRidge

CTyler · May 27, 2003

My loader manual states 8 hours of use. Usually it gets several pulls of the trigger(grease oozing). This last time I just gave one squirt. After about 4-5 hours of loader use it started to squeek a bit. This was right about the time the bucket started dumping slow.

Grease all the loader points until grease is oozing out the sides slightly. Also check to see if you have any rocks and dirt packed into anything causing a bind. I've never had any problems curling when stuff gets really packed in there just the dump side.

19th_VA · May 27, 2003

Snowridge,

Just the curling function. I have greased once and have about 30 hours on it. It's hard to imagine that's the problem but I'll regrease next time (was going to anyway). Also going to check on some obstruction.

gator · May 27, 2003

I would shut off tractor, relieve all pressure in FEL by wiggling joysticks, then disconnect then reconnect hydraulic quick connects. Had that happen to mine once, you'd be surprised what tree branches can do to the quick connects. That squeal is probably your relief valve because it can't push the hydraulic oil through a loose fitting. or could be a defective quick connect. Hope this helps.
P.S. If reseating don't help, try swapping lines and see if it stays with the female fitting or moves with the male.

Pks · May 28, 2003

IMHO:

Here's a little background: Greasing with zerk fittings really doesn't work well if the journal surfaces are too tight or unevenly loaded. Or in extreme cases, unevenly filthy.

A FEL will have unevenly loaded journal bearing surfaces when the bucket is sitting on the ground or when in the air. If grease is applied during this condition, the uneven loading will cause an uneven distribution of new grease. To illustrate this, raise the bucket into the air and grease the lowest pivot on the lift cylinders. Watch where the grease comes out. Most likely it will come out of one spot on the pivot.

To get past this problem, I raise the bucket about 3 ft and then place it into full dump positioin. Then I lower the bucket until it just kisses the ground. Then as it is lowered a little more, I watch for slack in the joint I want to grease. Once I see the pivot move a little, I know it is now floating. When a pivot floats (neutral loading around the pivot pin) it can be easily moved by a human just by grabbing the nearest FEL structural member and leaning on it.

At that point, I grease the journal.

One thing I have noticed, is that with all the digging I do, the bucket pivots get loaded with 10 times the dirt. Even though I recently regreased the bucket, it squeaks when it dumps. The only thing that can be done now is to remove the pivot pins and clean out the dirt by hand.

I am considering the thought of wrapping those bucket pivots in rubber to keep out the dirt.