FEL won't go down

[EddieL]

I think there is a problem with the valve. I lifted the bucket up, cleared the snow from the driveway and when I tried to drop the bucket the lever wouldn't move forward, moves back (up) just fine. I thought there was something wrong with the linkage but there is nothing binding up. This is a Woods BH6000. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Ed

 

[/pine]

Did you remove the cap on the bottom of the spool?...it sounds like the float detent mechanism may be the culprit...

 

[EddieL]

Did you remove the cap on the bottom of the spool?...it sounds like the float detent mechanism may be the culprit...

The only thing I did was ask what to do here. If I remove the cap will that release pressure and the bucket fall down and leak oil all over? By tomorrow the bucket may be an the ground so I can take a closer look.

 

[EddieL]

This is a Woods BH6000.

That should have been a Woods 1009

 

[oldnslo]

Eddie with the engine off I would suggest looking at the spool movement for lift vs curl / dump. The lift spool should move travel approximately the same distance as the curl dump when shifted from the spring center position. If the distance is different this would point towards either a linkage problem or the centering spring assembly falling apart or their is ice , crud etc. in the can that covers this assembly The centering spring assembly is located on the opposite end of the spool from the shift linkage.

Is their any name plate on the valve? If yes post that information and someone might be able to provide information on how to remove this cover and what the components should look like. Some assemblies are held on with a bolt others via snap rings, etc.

 

[/pine]

The only thing I did was ask what to do here. If I remove the cap will that release pressure and the bucket fall down and leak oil all over? By tomorrow the bucket may be an the ground so I can take a closer look.

No, baring a catastrophic failure in the valve body...removing the cap on the bottom of the spool will not cause any fluid loss...what you might find is some moisture that has condensed in the cap and caused the float detent mechanism to rust to the point that some of the rusted or corroded detent parts are blocking the spool from moving...If there are any loose parts in the cap...it (the detent mechanism) needed to be addressed anyway...

It's prudent practice to occasionally remove the caps on SCVs to check for moisture and lube any detents etc...

 

[EddieL]

..what you might find is some moisture that has condensed in the cap

Thanks, I'm thinking it is the moisture that froze. I keep it in a heated garage and it worked fine this morning. I'll take a look at it when I get home from work.

 

[/pine]

Glad to hear it...FWIW...some guys drill small weep holes in the bottom caps...

 

[oldnslo]

Thanks, I'm thinking it is the moisture that froze. I keep it in a heated garage and it worked fine this morning. I'll take a look at it when I get home from work.

If it works after being warmed back up I think you will have your answer.

 

[Gator6x4]

Take the wife’s hair dryers and SET it on high heat and aim it at the caps on the spool valve. Sounds like you have water in your hydraulic fluid and this has frozen inside the valve due to cold weather.