Lost Float Position On B7510

[robertm]

I read the past posts regarding the float position on the loader control valves and how the buckets dig in and raise the tractors uyp when going forward, but I have a different problem...

I have always been able to slightly tilt my bucket to scrape snow off the driveway in the float position, but the past few times (below freezing), the loader valve joystick will not go into the "float" detent. There is no float position. The joystick is just hard and will only lay the bucket down. It is almost like something is stuck inside the spool valve. I was wondering, too, if something was loose inside preventing me from pushing the joystick all the way forward. I took off the plastic cover because the lock wouldn't work well, and nothing was under there - no snow or ice. I tried to WD-40 everything a bit, but nothing happens. It is almost like it is inside the valve. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[DanR67]

robertm -

I think this may be a *common* issue on the B-Series - my B7610 float hasn't worked in over a year!

Here was a thread from late last year - where a number of folks reported the same issue.

I took my FEL valve apart - actually just the black "hex shaped" cover at the bottom end of the valve - and found a bit of water(!) at the bottom of the cover when I removed it - so the suggestion to drill a small hole to allow it to drain may not be too far off.

I have attached a picture of my detent mechanism when I took it apart - the ID "snap ring" is a bunch of fun to remove! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Basically - I think the detent "fails" because of a bit of corrosion builds up - and there is a fairly close tolerance between the shaft / collar and the ball detents - and something jams up.

I didn't have a means to compress the spring and remove the ball detents - so I just left it "as is" - so I have yet to complete the repair.

Hope that explains "what" is going on - I'd love to hear that someone has a "Kubota Bulletin" / recall so I could have mine fixed too - but it does work - I just have to hold the lever up in the Float position.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[DanR67]

Pic # 2 - This shows where the "collar / ring" is supposed to slide over the ball detents.

The trick to get this sub-assembly apart is to compress the spring - and then remove the ball bearings - then everything should come right apart.

Dan

 

[zr1john]

Hello,
I ran into the same problem on my B7800. I used 2 small vice grip pliers between the collar and the cap to compress the spring. I spaced them between the balls on opposing sides. Worked great.
Thanks, John

 

[kubotaman68]

your detent is frozen it needs to be taken in a heated garage or put a hairdryer on it, if your float comes back which it should, then your detents need to be removed cleaned and a little white grease sprayed in there , some people have actually drilled a small hole in the bottom of the detent to allow moisture to escape

 

[Mike_Lipke]

I just talked to my dealer. I have a BX with the same problem when it is below 10 F. Dealer says to take big hex thingy off, drill a small hole to allow water to get out. Thaw it out, get all the water out, relube with white grease, reinstall. No fluid loss, he says, and most all tractor fel controls are made this way, and some are now coming in with holes already in them. He says water is condensation, and Kubota never really thought thru the design of that detent for really cold climate use.

 

[DanR67]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hello,
I ran into the same problem on my B7800. I used 2 small vice grip pliers between the collar and the cap to compress the spring. I spaced them between the balls on opposing sides. Worked great.
Thanks, John )</font>

John -

Many years ago I pulled a detent apart on a hydraulic motor torque-range control - and (rookie mistake) heard a distant "plink" when the ball bearing of the detent landed 20+ feet away in a filthy corner of the workshop I was working in! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

By some miracle I found the ball bearing again - but I've been "once bitten - twice shy" about tackling them since! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Thanks for the tip - I couldn't think of a good way to hold the spring in the compressed position while I removed & cleaned the ball bearings - and didn't want to risk it on my CUT - I'd rather just go without the float detent.

Happy Holidays!

Dan

 

[robertm]

Hey, thanks to everybody. I took it to the dealer and they were nice enough to take care of it for me free of charge. They said it has been a re-occurring problem for the last year or so, and they did just what all of you said - thaw it out, drain, drill out cap, and regrease with lithium. I'll pick it up tonight. Thanks again.