Loader Hydraulics Dead

[fredoroberts]

I have been pretty impressed lately with my recently aquired, but used, B2150 with LA 350A loader. Three days ago I was lifting 500-600 lb rocks around and creating a great new landscape. My wife was stoked and any question about buying a tractor was fading fast...

Then we got 5 inches of rain in a day and a half. The Kubota sat through it as I don't have any covered space for it. Yesterday as things were drying out it fired up fine, but when I tried to raise the bucket..nothing.. well maybe it raised 1/2 inch or so, with slightly more life showing in the roll back direction. the 3 pt lift in the back works normally.

I haven't a clue about how to trouble shoot this. Could it be related to the heavy rain, or is this just a coincidence?

Still waiting for the owners manual from Carver, so I'm hoping for some help here. I read in an earlier post that the controls could be stuck in in "float" position. I will check that, but what the heck is "float" any way?

Thanks for help!

 

[Bird]

With the front end loader, as you know, you pull the control stick, or joystick, back to raise the bucket, and push it forward to lower the bucket. As you push forward to lower the bucket, you will feel a detent, or stop. Push harder to pass that detent and the bucket will be in the "float" mode, which means there is no pressure to either raise or lower the bucket. I use it frequently to back drag and smooth dirt. It will stay on the ground, but will raise and lower to ride over any high spots.

As far as the problem with not being able to raise the bucket, I'm not sure what that might be. Did you check to make sure the hydraulic oil is at the right level? Did increasing engine RPMs make a difference? Does the joystick have it's full range of movement? Are all the hoses still hooked up? No visible leaks? How cold was it where you are? Had the engine warmed up a bit before you tried it?

Bird

 

[fredoroberts]

Thanks Bird. Good definition of float, now I've got it. Does the control stick return to the neutral position after engaging float? (It must I know but I had to ask).

About not being able to raise the bucket, or roll it, I did not check the hydraulic oil, will do right away (though I just had a major service). Increasing the RPM did not make any difference; the stick appears to have it's full range of movement; The hoses are all hooked up; there are no visible leaks; Its not very cold here in southern cal, maybe 62 degrees; while I did try to raise the bucket right after start-up, I also let the engine warm up a bit and this did not help. Any other good ideas?

I know this is a stupid thought, but I am hoping that when I go home from work today, that somehow after sitting in the sun all day the tractor will start up and the loader will work again.

If it turns out that the hydraulic fluid is low, do I just fill it back up, or does it get more complicated than that?

 

[Bird]

When you push the lever forward hard enough to pass the detent and go into the float mode, it will usually stay there until you pull it back (although sometimes when I've taken my hand off the lever on rough ground, hitting a bump may jar it back down). In other words, it does not return to neutral like it does in the other positions. And when you check the fluid level, if it's low, it's simply a matter of adding some, just like checking and adding engine oil. However, if it was serviced lately, it shouldn't be low unless you have a leak somewhere (or unless whoever serviced it failed to put enough in it). I asked about the temperature because some folks have had a problem with rain water getting into a part of the loader valve and freezing so they couldn't move the joystick far enough (obviously not your problem). I'm betting on it being something simple, but right now I can't think of anything else.

Bird

 

[tbarber55]

I have a Kubota L345DT that had the same problem, it was the
hydraulic filter that was pluged up, it`s realy just a
screen. Cleaned it out a few times its working ok for now.
The good thing is if it stops working its easy to fix.

 

[Bird]

That could sure be the problem, all right. Of course, if it just had "major service" that shouldn't be (but that's assuming the "major service" was done by someone who knew what he was doing). tbarber55, I appreciate your jumping in here. I about ran out of ideas and am curious to know what the problem turns out to be.

Bird

 

[Thomas]

Maybe this would help.
Change the hydraulic fuild and filter.
Check setting on your relief valve.
Check to see if any of the ports are dirty,and if so flush them clean.
Do you know if the owner before had a hose break?
Someone might have mix two different types of hydraulic fuilds,and check to see if the fuild kinda foamy.
I would be most interested in the out come of what you may find.
Wish you the best.

 

[TomG]

It would be good to know if your 3ph lifts while the loader doesn't. Another possibility is that you've got a three spool control valve where the first section goes to rear hydraulic lines and the last two go to the loader. In a common setup, the loader won't function if the rear hydraulics are used. The first section valve should be centered.

 

[KCB]

This may be too easy, but did you happen to turn the hydraulics valve off that feeds the loader? Maybe it was bumped or not fully open to begin with? On my 2150 it is located on the right side of the frame near the brake pedal. It's a hex head nut that you can turn about 90 degrees and it has stops to indicate fully open or closed positions. Enjoy your 2150. Mine has been great. Good luck!

 

[art]

JCB I think might have hit the nail on the head so often when tractors are new to someone many people neighbors, kids, friends and relatives all stop by to see the new "machine" often playing with the levers or catching a lever with their pant leg but not intending to do any harm Kids will twist knobs turn on lites and blow horns. I can't count the times someone was delievered a new tractor on Tuesday and on Saturday morning when they want to use it they can't so they call us and we try to tell them over the phone to check these levers or often send a tech over to reopen a valve. I doubt that the filter got plugged while not in use. Look for the the something simple. It is to bad that you don't have a owners manual. Try calling your local dealer or visiting with him to learn more about your new tractor.