Loader Hydraulic Control Lever difficult to move

[Twice]

Hi Folks, We have a Kubota B 8200 HST with a BF 300 Loader. We've owned it over 14 years and it has served us well. Recently, the Loader lever is difficult to operate. We lubed the only zerk fitting located there and had no change, also the fluid reservoir is full. Any ideas on where we go next? Thanks!

 

[ritschner]

The lever pivot mechanism is probably gummed up. If yours is like mine you will see four 6mm bolts(10mm heads) on the bottom of the lever assembly. Two of outer bolts hold down the cover and one outer and the inner bolt hold the lever assembly. Remove the cover bolts, pull the knob off the lever, and slide the cover up and off. Now get some carb cleaner and hose down the pivot assembly between the lever and the hydraulic assembly while working the lever. This should free it up.

 

[Twice]

Thanks Ritschner! We will give that a go tomorrow morning! I will post our results.

 

[oosik]

My control lever started feeling "funky". I pulled up the rubber cover, washed out all the dirt & ash with a standard nozzle on a garden hose, wiped it all dry and then hosed the internal mechanism with WD-40. Smooth as silk now. For whatever reason - the internal mechanism was loaded with dirt and volcanic ash. I still have to deal with the ash from the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. You should see(pun intended) what it looks like, around here, when we get a wind storm.