Leakdown

[RegL]

Kind of low tech, but how about a couple of pieces of channel iron,cut to the right length, that will slip over the rods of the lift cylinders so they can't close all the way. I'm not to sure what kind of weird stresses that would put on the lift cylinders though.

 

[Rip]

Carl,

I agree with J J in that most of the leakdown is probably in the joystick spool valve. A new one may reduce the problem, but to an extent it is the nature of the beast. Fancier equipment uses pilot valves and there are pilot operated check valves that can be placed between the spool valve and cylinders.

This is another example of the pros and cons of PT using 70's technology.... low cost and simple componants versus more sophisticated, but more prone to contamination and costly failure.

If the only real problem this leakdown causes is spraying, then go one step beyond Gravy's suggestion and make two channel-type support props like most machinery today comes with for when doing maintanence under raised lift arms. design them with lips or other feature so that they can not vibrate loose while moving. As RegL just posted above !!

 

[woodlandfarms]

woodlandfarms,

Have you tried fiddling with the draft control? I was playing with mine over the weekend and found I could make the bucket move (up) be changing the draft control and increasing the rpms. It could be hard to fine tune though. I also wish the arms would stay in one place. I have a garage to build and would like to use the PT bucket for a platform and to stabilize ladders and such. With the arm leak down issue, this is difficult.

When I installed my new fangled mower blades I had to crank the draft control all th way up... That little bit of weight made the draft work twice as hard...

Carl

 

[SpringHollow]

Hi Carl,

I recently discussed this with Terry since I think it is unsafe. I said I had heard there are 2 types of valves, one leaks and one does not and asked which they used. He said theirs leaks, depending on load about 1/4" drop per minute.

As part of the boom mower setup, they install hand valves on your lift cylinders. You raise the counter weight to about 18" off of the ground and then close the valve and the cylinders stay where they should. I tried where I wanted to unload a bunch of items off the forks at an elevated height. It worked but then the curl dropped slowly. I would need to add another set of valves for that. The better solution is to correct the problem with pilot valves or a better valve to begin with. This is high on my wish list.

Just recently, I started having a problem with the joystick valve not working properly. Sometimes when I try curling, it dumps instead. I assume I have a piece of crud in the valve. That will teach me not to run my filter cart for a couple of months!

Ken

 

[marrt]

If anyone finds a suitable alternative valve, please post a link here. Although it's safer with kids (bucket will always leak down), I don't like the leak down feature. I would fix it if I found an alternative.

 

[SnowRidge]

If anyone finds a suitable alternative valve, please post a link here. Although it's safer with kids (bucket will always leak down), I don't like the leak down feature. I would fix it if I found an alternative.

Why would it be safer? I'm not disagreeing, BTW. I just don't understand.

 

[marrt]

Why would it be safer? I'm not disagreeing, BTW. I just don't understand.

The logic I've heard: If you forget to lower the bucket for example, it will leak down in a few hours. So there less danger that a kid will accidentally, or purposely, lower the bucket on your cat.

 

[SnowRidge]

Now I get it, and I would be more worried about the cat lowering it on me.

 

[J_J]

The logic I've heard: If you forget to lower the bucket for example, it will leak down in a few hours. So there less danger that a kid will accidentally, or purposely, lower the bucket on your cat.

This a pilot operated check valve. They are not cheap., at around $99. It will release at 60 psi. You could install high pressure shut off valves. They are around $15 to $30 bucks.

 

[MossRoad]

Now I get it, and I would be more worried about the cat lowering it on me.

You know, all joking aside, I'll bet you could find some stories similar to that situation... I've heard a few about hunters being shot by their dogs, so it could very well happen.