Floppy Bucket

[Walt P]

Leejohn, that spec is not in the books I have. I will need to pull the connectors to find out. As far as I know there is not a check valve in the loader control.

 

[oldnslo]

Appreciate all the replies, I'll try to answer in order.

Oldnslo, the tractor does have 2 cylinders on the bucket. The counterbalance valve sounds like something I need to look into, if it will work with 2 cylinders.

Walt

Walt,
Yes the counterbalance will work with two cylinders. The installation might be slightly more difficult since you will have to install the valve where the hoses tee to feed both cylinders. Counterbalance will cost significantly more that a flow restrictor & require more plumbing since it also requires a pilot signal from the dump side of the cylinder. You only need one restrictor installed in the rod end line to the dump cylinders. I would recommend a version that restricts in one direction and free flows in the other. The reason for this is that a restriction that slows the curl will also reduce the curl force and speed.

Yes the valve is the culprit. Some valves have almost no metering capabilities which causes the uncontrolled drop of the loader and is also the problem of floppy bucket. A good loader valve will meter the oil out of the curl cylinders while allowing oil to fill the other end. Seems like some of these lower cost valves do not do this very well. The original valve on my Branson was terrible, replacement is better but still not even close to what a true loader valve will do when sized and designed for that application.

Hopefully a little wrenching and a simple flow control will get you operational.

 

[Walt P]

Yes the valve is the culprit.

Thanks for the information, funny, the only things I don't like about the tractor all revolve around the loader valve.
I wonder if that is a hint?

 

[Avenger]

I have the same problem on my tractor. I put a flow restrictor on the return line and adjusted it to a happy medium between lugging the engine down and moving the bucket, while reducing the floppyness. All my research thus far has indicated that I need a better control valve. However, I am not 'good enough' to figure out which one will work for my tractor.

Running the engine at higher RPM does seem to reduce the amount of floppyness, but not eliminate it.

If your joystick moves while bouncing over things, you might want to look at your linkage or retention system inside the joystick. That seems odd to me. Mine stays put, and I drive over some pretty incredible terrain. The 'neutral' position should not move like the stick shift in your manual transmission truck. It should be centered and not floppy there.

After a while, with my tractor, I have gotten used to the floppy bucket. Still rather annoying, but I have adapted. However, if someone recommends a better control valve that will work, I am willing to pay out the $$ to replace it forthwith!

 

[Dave M7040]

Take the time to call Cross Manufacturing and talk to one of their tech people. 620-324-5525

I have found their advice friendly and understandable.

Cross Manufacturing

Dave M7040

 

[Walt P]

I finally had a chance to talk to an AGCO rep. He said that the hydraulic pump just cannot keep up with the demand when dumping the bucket. His only suggestion is to up the RPM's and make the best of it. Not the answer I was hoping for, but not surprised by it either. I will admit, I was babying the tractor, looks like that is not the best thing to do. I was told to run it hard, it's built to work, not cruse Main street on.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and advice. I am going to add an adjustable flow restrictor, just to see it it will help.

Walt

 

[oldnslo]

Avenger, Walt,
increasing the engine RPM increases the pump flow. The increased pump helps offset the poor metering in the valve by creating a larger pressure drop when the valve is partially shifted. I have installed a Prince valve on my Branson due to the original Nimco being dangerous to operate. It is better but still did not solve the floppy bucket.

First you need to find out what the flow rate if for you FEL. Then start looking for loader valves rated for similar flow. NOTE: you Must have load checks on both functions.

Brand, Prince, Cross, Bucher, Husco all make valves for front end loaders. I suspect Husco would be the highest quality but they are also expensive. Several members have both Brand & Prince with very few complaints. Have not read much on Bucher valves.

 

[ddbackhoe]

Take the time to call Cross Manufacturing and talk to one of their tech people. 620-324-5525

I have found their advice friendly and understandable.

Cross Manufacturing

Dave M7040

:thumbsup: They've been helpful when Ive needed parts and such.

 

[Leejohn]

The way it looks to me is the mfg. put 25 gal valves on a 10 gpm tractor.

 

[kthompson]

Do check your hydro oil level. FEL cylinders can pull good bit of oil. I have a 90 hp JD and it has very good pump capacity. However running too low rpms, running loader in hot weather find the steering will suffer at times making hard tight turn.