jd4300 loader problems

mulebreath · Jun 2, 2013

I have a 99 4300 with 430 loader. the bucket rolls down forward and will not stay up. 3pt and power steering work fine. The lift on the bucket is very slow. I changed fluid and cleaned screen. The bucket wil only move with egine rev above 1500rpm. I found blue pieces of plastic and very fine metal on filter. It works better after fluid change but still only above 1500rpm. I did not cha ge regular filter yet as jd is closed weekend. Tractor has 749hours. I bought it new. Any ideas for newbie?

rekees4300 · Jun 2, 2013

mulebreath said:
I have a 99 4300 with 430 loader. the bucket rolls down forward and will not stay up. 3pt and power steering work fine. The lift on the bucket is very slow. I changed fluid and cleaned screen. The bucket wil only move with egine rev above 1500rpm. I found blue pieces of plastic and very fine metal on filter. It works better after fluid change but still only above 1500rpm. I did not cha ge regular filter yet as jd is closed weekend. Tractor has 749hours. I bought it new. Any ideas for newbie?

Welcome to TBN. I also have 4300 with 430 FEL. Have only had one problem with FEL in 11 years. The whole bucket wouldn't stay up, it would slowly go down. Still under warranty at the time so dealer fixed it. Anyway he said there was a leak inside one the FEL cylinders.

Owner's manual says:

Symptom = Bucket or loader drifts down from raised position.
Problem 1 = Leak in hydraulic circuit
Solution 1 = Tighten fittings.
Problem 2 = Worn or damaged O-rings in tractor SCV
Solution 2 = Repair SCV. See your dealer.
Problem 3 = Internal leakage in loader cylinders.
Solution 3 = Install cylinder repair kit. See your dealer.

mulebreath · Jun 2, 2013

Thanks rekees for the info. It must be an internal leak because there is no fluid leaking anywhere on the ground. I have another issue though. When I changed the fluid and refilled it, I can't see the fluid in the sight window. I have put a good 6.5 gallons in it. I don't want to overfill it. It is suppose to hold 6.3gal. Could something be plugged up where the fluid can't enter the sight window?

kennyd · Jun 2, 2013

Your cylinders need rebuilding, they are leaking by internally. This is not uncommon with the JD cylinders. It's best to do both in pairs. Here is a good thread on how to do it: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/122281-jd-hydraulic-cylinder-rebuild-help.html

As for your fluid level, the manual dos not account for the FEL or any other hydrauilc accessories added. Just keep adding (slowly) till you get there, the 3PH and FEL if attached should all be lowered and tractor shut off for about 20 minutes or so.

mulebreath · Jun 2, 2013

Thanks. I am thinking I should let the dealer mess with it as I have no experience working on hydraulics. I guess just bolting on new cylinders are too expensive? That's a good point about the loader holding extra fluid, but I wonder how much extra; and, did it lead out while I was draining the fluid. It doesn't seem like there would be that much in the lines. I don't thing there is any reservoir for the loader.

kennyd · Jun 2, 2013

The rebuild kits are about $35 or $40 each, new cylinders will be 10 times that. It's not a real hard job if your an average wrench turner, just a bit messy though.