loader will not drop

[blenderbender]

Howdy... I have a relatively new (167 hrs.) B 3000 with loader. I've been using it quite a bit lately cleaning up after a tree felling project. This morning as I was using it, all of a sudden the loader bucket will not go down. If I engage the auto down position it will go down, but straight down doesn't budge. Up, curl up & down, and auto down all function properly. I poked around for a crimped line or smashed hose yet see nothing. Any suggestions what might be the issue here or what to look for, or how to further assess?

thanks.... Gary

 

[Soundguy]

check qd's. check valving/spool linkage.

post back.

 

[blenderbender]

Thanks souNdguy.... everything looks intact. I've realized it's an intermittent issue as after posting I went back to work with it and the bucket started functioning properly. But after a bit it hung up again..... then released at some point again. Sticking spool valve maybe?

 

[J_J]

What is auto down?

Unplug and reset the QD's.

 

[blenderbender]

What I guess I should have said was 'float position' where it locks going down until you pull back on it. I'm not familiar with 'reset' qd's. Is that simply unplugging and plugging back in?

 

[J_J]

Yes, unplug and replug.

 

[C4Ranch]

My old b7500 did that once. Turned out the 3pt lever was slightly engaged and not fully in the neutral position.

 

[blenderbender]

Thanks JJ.... I don't understand hydraulics all that well, but what exactly would unplugging and re-plugging qd's do? I did so, and it worked, but as stated earlier it is an intermittant problem and having left the tractor before and come back it often resolved itself until it happened again. I just don't get what anything as simple as that would do.

 

[J_J]

One half of the QD might not release correctly, therefore causing no flow.

I would recommend either new QD's or rebuilding the old ones.

 

[Egon]

Look at and lubricate the joystick linkages. This should be on a regular basis. Any chance any of the controls are being limited in there movement?