It's Back

[nybirdman]

My L4240 Kubota was returned from a two week stay at the dealer.My problem was and is the FEL quits working after about an hour's running time.
They can't find the problem.This started after THEY did the 400 hour service.Part of the service was to replace the joy-stick switch for the third function.Tractor was purchased new,third function added by the dealer and worked for a year with no problem.Now(even with the third function not in use or hooked up) the FEL quits working after an hour......their FIX...shut the tractor off........this does work but a PITA...not right.
Fel has never been off the tractor,so QD's are not wore,I can hear the hydraulics go into bypass before it quits working.Any ideas?

 

[J_J]

Did anybody install a hyd gage and flow meter and check the flow and pressure? If the pump is turning and is good, then the fluid is going somewhere. If you are hearing the hyd system go into relief with out touching anything, then something is wrong. With no lever activated, the pump flow goes through all the valves and to tank.

What kind of selector valve did you use for the third function. Are you sure the switches are switching the solenoids? If a gage is install, you can watch some of the actions happen on the gage. If the relief is going off, then the pressure should be indicated on the gage, and if you are lucky enough to own a flow meter, you can see how much flow is availiable.

 

[J_J]

Without touching the third function, can you operate the FEL for several hours? If the solenoid requires voltage, and the voltage, is not there, the fluid may be blocked, and the valve may relieve. One of the solenoid may be hanging up on some debris. Can you tell if it is the FEL valve relieving?

 

[blueriver]

I'll bet someone on here other than me will help you find the problem ... I don't know Hyd's

 

[nybirdman]

Re: It's Back

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Without touching the third function, can you operate the FEL for several hours? If the solenoid requires voltage, and the voltage, is not there, the fluid may be blocked, and the valve may relieve. One of the solenoid may be hanging up on some debris. Can you tell if it is the FEL valve relieving?
Can't operate FEL for more than one hour(without third function being used)
Even with just the bucket on...same thing,switch on or off.
Can't tell what is relieving,but I can hear it.
Dealer installed third...assume they used Kubota parts.
Switches are working,can open/close,left/right(with snowplow)
Dealer had the tractor for a total of three wks.two service calls.....I paid them to trouble shoot,I am not a tractor mechanic.
Called Kubota corporate...hated too,dealers has been great but want it fixed.

 

[nybirdman]

I tried to get the mechanic and owner of dealership to..take the valve apart and check for rust ,dirt,broken parts ect.
From what I have been able to find out :it is an open center valve.I still think it is electrical...didn't start until they replaced the third function switch.

 

[wvpolekat]

Have them bypass the electric third function valve hydraulically. Just plumb the in and out together with a fitting/hose. See what happens then. If that fixes the problem, disconnect the wiring from the valve, see what happens. If that doesn't fix it, disconnect the switch, see what happens.

Ideally, as J_J stated, checking pressure at various places during failure would be the ideal way. The way I am suggesting just lets you eliminate various parts of the 3rd function circuit to troubleshoot. Should be pretty easy to confirm if your suspicion of the problem being in that.

 

[wdchyd]

I agree with JJ, a flow/load meter would be the way to test it....starting with testing the pump power and efficiency........then work downstream the relief valves ect....

Somebody's not giving you the whole story.....I would not just start taking things apart unless you proved a component bad or bypassing....then you have nothing to lose.....if you just start taking things apart blindly you may end up having several problems which can be worse.....