First little problem with my 3016

[oldpilgrim]

I've had it about 7-8 months now with no issues at all. 68 hours on it...about 25 moving snow. I noticed a little puddle under the right FEL lift arm, upper end. Turns out there is an adapter screwed into the hydraulic ram to size down the hole to the el for the hose to connect to. The adapter is leaking at the point where it screws into the ram. It's tight, I can't tighten it so it'll have to come off and sealed. Can't figure how something like a pipe thread joint, that doesn't move, can suddenly start leaking. If this is my only problem, I've got no complaints.

 

[arrow]

I've had it about 7-8 months now with no issues at all. 68 hours on it...about 25 moving snow. I noticed a little puddle under the right FEL lift arm, upper end. Turns out there is an adapter screwed into the hydraulic ram to size down the hole to the el for the hose to connect to. The adapter is leaking at the point where it screws into the ram. It's tight, I can't tighten it so it'll have to come off and sealed. Can't figure how something like a pipe thread joint, that doesn't move, can suddenly start leaking. If this is my only problem, I've got no complaints.

Thank Pilgrim for the heads up. I'll look at mine too. Only thing I can think of besides a strike from a branch or something causing the pipe to crack is that perhaps undue stress was put on the joint as it relates to the angle of a tensioned hose fitment when the loader arms get into a certain position? Right now if you cannot spot a crack, is to put some pipe dope on it, screw it back in and see if that fixes it.

 

[oldpilgrim]

that's the plan....as soon as I can pick up a wrench without it freezing to my hand.

It's a very small leak, more of a weep, leaving a 3-4 inch wet spot on the cement over night. I'm not really concerned about it. If it turns out the part of the cylinder that the reducer screws into is the culprit, I'll take it off and bring it to the dealer to handle in warrantee.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Well, I did the fix this afternoon. I discovered something new to me, but maybe not new to some readers.

The 'reducer' that I said screws into the threaded hole in the ram turned out not to be a reducer or adapter at all.

I disconnected the hose and then decided to unscrew the 'reducer' and the el as one unit. When I turned the head of the 'reducer', I was surprised to see it was only a nut and washer threaded over the el, like a lock nut.

I loosened the nut a few turns and found I could easily tighten the el into the ram a full turn. I tightened the nut and reconnected the hose and everything seems good to go.

I cycled the equipment a few times with no leak...so far. If it does, I'll redo it with some sealant.

That's a first for me. I fully expected a pipe thread into the ram.

You learn something new everyday.

 

[arrow]

Well, I did the fix this afternoon. I discovered something new to me, but maybe not new to some readers.

The 'reducer' that I said screws into the threaded hole in the ram turned out not to be a reducer or adapter at all.

I disconnected the hose and then decided to unscrew the 'reducer' and the el as one unit. When I turned the head of the 'reducer', I was surprised to see it was only a nut and washer threaded over the el, like a lock nut.

I loosened the nut a few turns and found I could easily tighten the el into the ram a full turn. I tightened the nut and reconnected the hose and everything seems good to go.

I cycled the equipment a few times with no leak...so far. If it does, I'll redo it with some sealant.

That's a first for me. I fully expected a pipe thread into the ram.

You learn something new everyday.

Glad it's fixed. It never ceases to amaze me how small these lines are (diameter) especially comparing them to my old tractor. I looked at the area again and it seems this all sits on top of a welded bung on the cylinder. Has to be a lot of pressure being built up in this area and could explain that even the tiniest bit of looseness could cause a leak. I check all the bolts holding the loader on but didn't or wouldn't have thought to check the bolts holding the hydraulic fittings. Thanks for the heads up Pilgrim.

 

[Navasot]

Vibration can work just about any fitting loose... I Teflon ones this happens to very lightly and it works as a dampener to the vibration.. "it happens"

 

[oldpilgrim]

Well it turns out that even though I solved that problem, I discovered another hydraulic issue.

With a lot of snow work, it appeared that I had another fitting leak, but upon closer inspection, I found that fluid was leaking from the end of the cylinder that attaches to the main loader arm and dripping off the hose fitting. I couldn't see where it was coming from as it was coming from the top of the cylinder up in between the loader arm brackets.

I pulled it down cleaned it and worked it in and out a few times but couldn't see any seepage. Reinstalled it and worked it in the snow. When it went back in the barn, there was fluid leaking down from the top again.

i pulled it down and wiped it clean and still couldn't see where it was weeping. Apparently it was on the weld that attaches the cast end to the cylinder tube, but I couldn't see it. It also could have been a crack in the casting , but still couldn't see it and and couldn't reproduce it unless it was under max pressure.

I took the cylinder off and took it to the dealer. I told them what I discovered and that over the past month I had lost about a gallon of fluid...that tells you the severity of the still invisible leak.

The dealer said, no problem, it's under warrentee , we'll get you a new cylinder. They ordered one and I had it in about 3 days, with all new hydro fittings, o-rings and grease fittings. I put it on today.

The cylinder is the one that came on the "American Made" ML115 loader. It was made in China.

My Mahindra dealer, Westville Garage and Equipment in Taunton is a great place to do business. But I knew that the first time I did business with them about 25 years ago.

i just wanted you guys in the area to know.