Need a diagnosis please...

[Kickstand]

Need a diagnosis. I have a 1997 Kubota L35 TLB, 1340 hrs and the right hand lever on the backhoe as you sit in the seat just started sticking. When I move the lever left and right to open and close the bucket it feels kind of "gummy". It will actually stick in the opening position and keep opening the bucket even without my hand on it, which its never done. It seems to leak down faster when i shut it off too. Before this it would take a week for the bucket to drop to the ground. Now it takes a couple hours. No fluid leaks i can see. What do you think is wrong?

Responses are much appreciated!

 

[J_J]

You might try removing the cans on the bottom of the valve, and check the centering springs for rust, crud, etc.

You could disassemble the parts on the spool and remove the spool and inspect for bits of rubber, metal, etc.

The spool should slide in and out smoothly, the springs should not be crushed, broken or gummed up.

Otherwise, inspect, clean and reassemble. Lightly coat with waterproof grease.

Make sure the weep hole is at the bottom so any water can drain.

 

[Ed of all trades]

You might try removing the cans on the bottom of the valve, and check the centering springs for rust, crud, etc.

You could disassemble the parts on the spool and remove the spool and inspect for bits of rubber, metal, etc.

The spool should slide in and out smoothly, the springs should not be crushed, broken or gummed up.

Otherwise, inspect, clean and reassemble. Lightly coat with waterproof grease.

Make sure the weep hole is at the bottom so any water can drain.

Yep what he said. Often that will take care of the problem. I would like to have a $ for every can of carb cleaner I have sprayed on parts in my left hand cleaning hydro parts when I worked as a bobcat mec. I wonder if that is what is wrong with me now, 2+2 in my blood.

 

[Kickstand]

Yep what he said. Often that will take care of the problem. I would like to have a $ for every can of carb cleaner I have sprayed on parts in my left hand cleaning hydro parts when I worked as a bobcat mec. I wonder if that is what is wrong with me now, 2+2 in my blood.

Thanks guys. I know next to nothing about hydraulics or valves but hope to look into it this weekend and will let you know what I find.

 

[445A]

I agree with all of these guys, but for safety make all your hydraulics are at rest, on the ground, so there isn't any pressure when you dismantle the valves. Also cleanliness is extremely important, have lots of clean lint free rags and new hyd. fluid on hand for reassembling .Good luck. 445A

 

[/pine]

Just curious...is the rubber boot where the control stick is mounted on the valve in good shape?

The reason I ask is I recently had a sticking valve...I removed the bottom cap expecting to find it rusted/gunked up etc...but it was like brand new in there...however the boot on top had some cracks and the very top of the spool shaft had some rust that was preventing it from moving through the seal...after cleaning it up the valve works as it should...

 

[MossRoad]

As someone else mentioned, cleanliness is the key with hydraulics, so clean everything before you disassemble it and keep the work area clean. Also, watch for little springs, balls, etc... that may fall out. Sometimes its a good idea to spread some clean rags under the item you are working on to keep any small parts from dropping on the floor, ground, etc... good luck. :thumbsup:

 

[/pine]

As someone else mentioned, cleanliness is the key with hydraulics, so clean everything before you disassemble it and keep the work area clean. Also, watch for little springs, balls, etc... that may fall out. Sometimes its a good idea to spread some clean rags under the item you are working on to keep any small parts from dropping on the floor, ground, etc... good luck. :thumbsup:

good tip...:thumbsup:
...one I learned from a shop tech is using a mechanic's magnet for keeping/catching small parts together...

 

[MossRoad]

Yeah. I've recently returned to being a maintenance mechanic after a 25+ year stint in I.T. Magnetic tools for retrieving or holding parts in tight spaces are great. I also have a couple of those 6" steel bowls with the magnetic bases that hold loose parts very nicely.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I have had good results on sticking hydraulics with just spraying the sticking rod with WD-40 and operating the lever. Operating the lever loosens the rust and the WD-40 washes it away. Respraying with WD-40 at regular intervals also seems to keep the rust out.