intermittant FEL bucket failure

[johann]

I have been having issues with the bucket on my fel loosing all holding power when back blading. ( I am not digging in at a backwards angle) I set blade to desired angle set it on loose dirt pile start to pull back and bucket acts like it has no hydraulics on it and just follows the contour of dirt pile as if only on a hinge. I go back reset in same position and it works fine ! the frequency of this happening is increasing .I am not referring to the float option, when this happens the FEL arms hold their position, and only the bucket flops around.I can curl bucket up with no issue, all other functions of the fel work perfectly and there are no visable leaks in fel piston or at the ( diverter?) bucket control arm. any one know what might be happening?

 

[DLTTrekkers]

Air in sisteem.....replace hydraulic filter ?

 

[DMW]

I am not referring to the float option, when this happens the FEL arms hold their position, and only the bucket flops around.

Most valves have the float option on the loader arms so they follow the ground contours, not on the bucket. Are the hydraulic lines connected to the correct valve spools?

Barring that, possibly a broken return spring on the valve spool.

 

[johann]

I havn't relocated any hydraulic lines, but bucket works and not,.... so if it was a broken spring I would assume it wouldn't work at all. would air in system only show up on one function? I don't know.

 

[DMW]

Air can get into the curl cylinders. If you cannot see a leak in the lines/connections, try disconnecting the quick connects, then reengage them. They may "look" fully coupled, but may be letting air into the system.

 

[CincyFlyer]

Actually, this is quite common, and nothing is wrong. Before back dragging, apply some down pressure until you see that the bucket has hydraulic pressure against it. You may have to do that in both the down and dump positions.

 

[Aquamoose]

Actually, this is quite common, and nothing is wrong. Before back dragging, apply some down pressure until you see that the bucket has hydraulic pressure against it. You may have to do that in both the down and dump positions.

This.

Check fluid levels as well, usually the less fluids there are, the worse the symptoms are.

 

[johann]

fluid level is right on, I will recheck line connections.....if air gets in I would think I would need to get it out, is there a way to bleed curl cylinder to get it out?

 

[ericm979]

Curl the bucket a bunch of times to get the air out.