My Loader and curl cylinders bleed down is this OK

stevenf · Mar 17, 2006

I own an M9000 with a LA1251 Loader and while moving around the ranch or even out on the road at almost max RPM and speed my cylinders bleed down and I have to recurl and lift up every 15 minutes or so, is this normal or should I have the Kubota folks do some warranty work? They don't fall fast and the curl doesn't open up completely or anything just notice that they are drifting a little and actuate the cylinders to lift and recurl. The bucket and arms move a couple of inches back to where I set them each time. Around the ranch its not an issue but on the road its irritating especially on my 16 mile one way journey to the dealer for service so I'm on the road about an hour and a half. I made the trip yesterday so its at the shop for its 200 hour scheduled service. The dealer claims that they are within spec if they fall or leak down a half inch an hour. On another note what do you guys think I should be paying for my 200 hour service checkup they will be changing the engine oil and checking the air and fuel filters plus blowing out the screen and radiator guard. The service manager seems to be OK with me now but he didn't give me a firm price until he gives the tractor a once over to see if there is anything else that he thinks it needs.
Steve

Bob53 · Mar 17, 2006

Steve,
I have a smaller B3030, but do travel long ways on road to get to sites. I have hoe and Fel and yes the hoe bleeds down after 15min's , i keep pin in it now. Fel is not as noticable but does bleed down few inches after about 15-20 min too. Was told its normal and been like that since i got it. bumpy dirt road seems to be a little more noticable.
On the maintance the service manager should have gave you a est. on what cost would be if he found noting else, just the normal maintance anyway and have idea what to expect.

KennyV · Mar 17, 2006

It’s NOT ok, but it is normal. Some valves leak more than others, but I think they all leak a little…
You are spending a lot more time driving on the road than it would take to do that yourself, plus you might stand a better chance of doing it right & getting to know your equipment… KennyV.

JerryG · Mar 17, 2006

Most if not all of the manufactures will say that it is normal up until it gets to a totally ridiculous amount of leak down. By the time they think that there is a problem, we would be having a fit. That is what we pay for the ability to have a compact tractor at a reasonable price. There are valves that will eliminate that leak down completely or almost completely. It they installed them, the prices would go up a lot. Everything is a trade off, even hydraulics.

ByronBob · Mar 17, 2006

I've left mine 1 foot off the ground all winter and it's still there in the spot I left it. So my answer I guess is no....

tawilson · Mar 18, 2006

How are you supposed to put a ladder up against it and use it as a work platform if it bleeds down?

stevenf · Mar 20, 2006

tawilson, Funny very Funny actually I wanted an elevated bath tub so I could enjoy the view while bathing but I can't rely on it to keep me up in the air for the duration of my bath.
Steve

stevenf · Mar 20, 2006

Kenny, I agree it would be wonderful if I could spend hours taking it apart and putting it together I enjoy doing mechanical stuff but my job is such that after 60 hours at the shop when I get the chance to work on the tractor I want to be in the seat plus its still in warranty and I don't want to give them any room to claim it wasn't maintained properly in case something major goes wrong I'd like the warranty to cover it with no questions asked as to who maintained it and how.
Steve

john_bud · Mar 20, 2006

Steve,

My 5 year old L3410 will bleed down, but it is more like an inch or three a DAY. Even less when the loader bucket is empty. The curl does seem to bleed down more than the arms, though. I expect it will get worse with age.

On the other hand, my 43 year old Ford bleeds down faster than yours. I was told by a former heavy eqp tech to check where the leak is. To do it, I need to undo the cylinder hoses and plug the ports. (holding the FEL up, so there is no pressure in the lines!). Then let go of the FEL and see how fast it drops. If it is still dropping, then the cylinders are leaking internally and need to be repacked. If it stays up, it is the control. His thought was the cylinders- says it's like 50:1 cylinders to valves that leak. Will be getting around to doing it soon, right now am too busy making lava for a science fair project with my son. We're using the ox/ac torch and rocks, kind of a different approach from the usual baking soda and vinegar.

good luck.
jb