Backhoe Is it normal for a backhoe to lower a little (lose pressure?)

[ids]

Hi,
I have a 5241 with a BH90 backhoe - and I don't know if I am having problems...with the backhoe attached, I might be working in the field, moving debri, etc., anything really, and every so often I have to turn around and raise the boom, it seems in about 1/2 hr of moving, the bucket lowers about 6 inches..I've then inserted the travel pins in the hoe, it keeps the boom from lowering, but the stablizers might dip down a little, a few inches..I am worried that if I spend to much time, I may not notice until the bucket starts contacting the ground

thanks

 

[Tom_H]

It's normal; it's called bleed down. Your bh is much larger than mine. I put the two travel pins in, use a compression strap around the bucket, and stretch a small plastic buckle strap with an s-hooks on each end between holes in the two foot pads. I leave it this way any time the bh is on but not being used, both if parked or if doing loader work, etc.

 

[Couple of Achers]

My hoe bucket and outriggers will leak down a little bit over time as well. But usually over a much longer period of time. Six inches of leak down in a 1/2 hr. seems to me to be quite a bit, but it probably depends on how much your's weighs. The dipper stick will definitely leak down if I forget to put the pin in due to it's weight. But not so much in a 1/2 hour as to become a problem.

 

[Couple of Achers]

It's normal; it's called bleed down. Your bh is much larger than mine. I put the two travel pins in, use a compression strap around the bucket, and stretch a small plastic buckle strap with an s-hooks on each end between holes in the two foot pads. I leave it this way any time the bh is on but not being used, both if parked or if doing loader work, etc.

TOM, good idea with the ratchet straps. That would take all the pressure off the cylinders.

 

[Willl]

I thought all BHs had 'parking' pins/hooks ?

 

[Couple of Achers]

I thought all BHs had 'parking' pins/hooks ?

I can't comment on all hoe's but on mine I have two pins. One holds the hoe from swinging, the other holds the dipper stick from lowering. But the bucket and the outriggers have nothing to hold them in place.

 

[radioman]

6 inches in 30 mins? that seems excessive. are your seals leaking ?

 

[Tom_H]

Didn't think of this earlier. Do you have a turn valve under the seat to release the pressure when you want to lower the 3ph? If so, do you have it tightly closed?

 

[ids]

thanks for the tips everyone...yes, it is at least 6 inches, if not more...but it could be the wheel underneath the seat - I know there is one, just had no idea that would effect any bleed - I will check..thanks

steve

 

[MikeInEburg]

I don't think that the valve under the seat will really affect this issue. This valve is designed to slow the descent of a 3-point implement. While it may also slow the backhoe, it wouldn't prevent it from bleeding down.

I have the same issue with my backhoe and think it is a leaky valve. Apparently it is fairly commonplace so I haven't lost much sleep over it.

Mike