Hydraulic Leakdown Bad??

[jinman]

I think if you look at a lot of equipment dealers, they leave FELs and such raised to indicate how good their hydraulics are. I saw one dealer who left a round bale on a 3PH spear lifted for 2 or 3 weeks. However that same dealer had a FEL up and the brand new bucket sagged. I see quite a few tractors sitting on people's places within eye view of the highway with rotary cutters on the 3PH and fully raised. It's sure not brand specific and I always think that they are leaving the implement up as bragging about their tractor. I always lower implements. I also extend my FEL bucket curl cylinders and turn the bucket down so it doesn't collect rainwater. I've never seen anything bad happen to my hydraulic cylinders because of that and it keeps my bucket from rusting inside or breeding skeeters.

 

[DeeDubya]

I recently bought a little used Branson 2910i. The dealer had it parked in the shop with the bucket raised as they were looking for a leak on one of the QD's. The joystick boot was gone (of course) and I noticed some rusting on the linkage. Without thinking I reached up and tapped the joystick to check for play. The bucket dropped about a foot and when I looked up my girlfriend had walked up to within a few feet of the loader. You never know when there might be a dumbass like me around so I say lower all implements before you ever shut it down.

 

[xtn]

My NH Boomer 50 owners manual lists putting the 3pt position control down as part of the pre-start check list. I don't know why.

 

[chopped]

''''''''''You never know when there might be a dumbazzz like me around so I say lower all implements before you ever shut it down''''

Glad you said you were the dumb azzz and not her lol:laughing::thumbsup:

 

[eastexan]

I let mine down when I'm through working.
I guess it's more habit than anything, but I've never liked leaving anything in the least bit of a strain.

I also like what was said about safety and keeping the cylinder shaft protected.

 

[JB4310]

My NH Boomer 50 owners manual lists putting the 3pt position control down as part of the pre-start check list. I don't know why.

Probably so it doesn't load down the engine during cold starts, especially if there was a heavy implement on there. Plus it could be dangerous having implements moving that you're not watching or expecting.

JB

 

[Jay4200]

I've always followed the theory of if your tractor is parked then it's best to lower all attachments to the ground. Other than it being safer to have attachments at rest, I've also always had in my mind that it is easier on valves, hydraulic seals, etc to not have that pressure on them if it isn't necessary. So after mowing today I started wondering, what is everyone else's theory on this (either scientific or just opinion)? I'm thinking of the 3-point hitch holding the mower deck up on my 2520 in particular - should the deck always be dropped completely to the ground or does it cause any longterm, unnecessary wear to leave it up?

Safety yes, easier on the system or excess wear, absolutely not. Considering the 2500 psi that is normally running through your hydro system, do you think it cares about a couple hundred psi load due to a hanging bucket? I'm guessing no. OTOH, a 3pt that has leaked down WILL put an extra load on the engine/starter when you crank it.

JayC

 

[xtn]

I let mine down when I'm through working.
I guess it's more habit than anything, but I've never liked leaving anything in the least bit of a strain.

If you take any weight of the tractor with it by putting it down while the tractor is still running, you are leaving it with strain. You either need to get very lucky every time you set it down, such that the weight of the bucket sitting on the ground is really only the weight of the bucket... or... relieve the hydraulic pressure after shutdown by jogging your control valves around a bit... or... just set it down after engine shutdown.

But I agree with others in that the strain of the empty loader while parked is relatively small compared to the working limits, and probably doesn't need to be worried about.

xtn

 

[DMax2210]

If you take any weight of the tractor with it by putting it down while the tractor is still running, you are leaving it with strain. You either need to get very lucky every time you set it down, such that the weight of the bucket sitting on the ground is really only the weight of the bucket... or... relieve the hydraulic pressure after shutdown by jogging your control valves around a bit... or... just set it down after engine shutdown.

But I agree with others in that the strain of the empty loader while parked is relatively small compared to the working limits, and probably doesn't need to be worried about.

xtn

Good point - I do try to make it a habit when dropping any front attachment at the end of the day, that I do it after shutting the engine off. And even then, as you mention, you need to jog the control around - amazing how much pressure still sits in the lines until everything has been allowed to "relax"!

 

[DeeDubya]

If you take any weight of the tractor with it by putting it down while the tractor is still running, you are leaving it with strain. You either need to get very lucky every time you set it down, such that the weight of the bucket sitting on the ground is really only the weight of the bucket... or... relieve the hydraulic pressure after shutdown by jogging your control valves around a bit... or... just set it down after engine shutdown.

But I agree with others in that the strain of the empty loader while parked is relatively small compared to the working limits, and probably doesn't need to be worried about.

xtn

I set the bucket down and push the joy stick up to "float". Doesn't this leave the valve open and equalize pressure?