FF12 mini-ex hydraulic issue?

[jbernal]

I have a brand new FF12 mini excavator. It seems to have a problem with strength-of-hydraulics, most especially in the treads. It started out super herky-jerky powerful like it wanted to buck you off, and now after about 6 hours of use, it barely wants to move its own treads on a flat surface even at 3/4 or full throttle. It will go full forward or reverse but not strong, not up a steep incline, and definitely not opposing directions. In order to turn it I have to get it going forward and then stop one side, letting the momentum carry it around a few inches at a time. Digging wise and in the other functions it seems to do fine but I have sandy soil that is easy to dig, so it's hard to tell if the arm is bogging down or not. I already bled out and replaced the original fluid with AG20, then bled it out and tried 46 weight, no difference. Engine runs great, hydraulic fluid tank is full, scratching my head here as to what might be going on. Any advice?

 

[drawthree]

I wonder if the jam nut on your hydraulic bypass adjustment could have been loose allowing the adjustment screw to back out. In any case the next thing I'd look at is getting a hydraulic pressure gauge and seeing what your bypass is set at.

 

[D'oh]

Heat. Nothing more.

Take the Rear Cover off. Wrap the Muffler with Exhaust Tape, and work away.

My FF12 was prone to Walking Motors becoming weak as the first sign of Overheated Oil.

20 made it even thinner than 46, or what ever was really in there when it was new.

 

[mike0000]

I’m thinking heat too, a lot of these mini ex’s, mine included do not have adequate cooling. Mine came with a hydraulic cooler/fan but it wasn’t enough cooling. I added a second fan and an exhaust extension. Machine is much more useful now.
Get a cheap infrared thermometer to test temperatures, it’s best to keep the hydraulic oil under 140F.

 

[drawthree]

Jbernal - are you seeing the issue immediately even when the machine is cold or only once it's started to get hot?