New Kubota M108X Solenoid Problem

[Fromjim]

I just bought a new Kubota M108X and had the third function valve added to operate the angle of my snow plow when it is installed.

I do have a problem that you may be able to help me with, my third function valve which angles my plow or when not activated will allow me to tilt the plow foreward so I can back drag better, my problem is that this valve does not always work, sometimes it works well for a long time then suddenly instead of angling the plow it tilts either forward or back ward, and can not return to operating the angle of the snow blade,then sometimes it suddenly starts working again,it seems like the solenoid gets stuck in one position and does not move even when I am holding the button down on the joystick, I have checked all the wiring and have power at all locations, I removed the solenoid and placed a screwdriver in the hole and it is held by the magnetic force, yet for some reason it does not activate the hydraulic part of the valve, it seems the freeze, the temp was -20 C, but these valves should work way below that temperature, I don't like to take the valve apart since it is on warranty, but my dealer is 50 miles away, if someone can think of a simple fix I would really appreciate it.

Thanks
Jim

 

[art]

Jim, I always hate those calls that it only does it sometimes! I've seen hydraulic problems go away on the truck ride only to return with the return of the tractor.

A sometimes problem is a pain for everyone and as a new owner I'd be working with the dealer to find where the problem is. It might take two people to see that the switch might not be working perfectly.

 

[GeneD14]

Jim,

I agree that you should seek help from your dealer.

In my M-series Kubota manual it recommends warming the machine up for 20 minutes before operating in cold weather. I don't know if that will help but it mmay be worth a try. My old L4330 was a hydrostat and it's transmission and hydraulics wouldn't function smoothly in zero degree weather until the oil warmed up. When I put the more expensive Super UDT fluid in it it made a huge improvement because the synthetic fluid flows much easier in cold weather than conventional oil.

Good luck.

 

[Fromjim]

Jim,

I agree that you should seek help from your dealer.

In my M-series Kubota manual it recommends warming the machine up for 20 minutes before operating in cold weather. I don't know if that will help but it mmay be worth a try. My old L4330 was a hydrostat and it's transmission and hydraulics wouldn't function smoothly in zero degree weather until the oil warmed up. When I put the more expensive Super UDT fluid in it it made a huge improvement because the synthetic fluid flows much easier in cold weather than conventional oil.

Good luck.

Thanks for thaking the time to post your opinion, I did visit my dealer today, he is 50 miles away so I hope I don't have to go there every day. Most of his staff is off this week but he was willing to send a man just to look at the tractor, he also said he didn't have the soleniod in stock and since Kubota was also short staffed during the Christmas holidays til New Years he would not be able to get one until then, I said I would take the soleniod apart and see if it had dirt or something blocking the piston, he agreed and asked me to let him know what I found out today, I didn't find anything out, everything looked spotless, but the valve still sticks in open or closed for no apparent reason, with a test light I checked the wires that come from the button on the Joystick that when pressed causes the plow to angle,depending on which way I swing the Joystick left or right, and the light to be on, with the button not pressed the plow should tilt, forward or rear depending on which way I swing the Joystick, it would not, and the light was off, indicating that the valve should be diverting the oil to the cylinders that tilt the plow but was still in the angle mode with even though the button was not being pressed.

My dealer said he will order a new solenoid valve and send someone to install it next week.

Again thanks,

Jim

 

[Fromjim]

Thanks for thaking the time to post your opinion, I did visit my dealer today, he is 50 miles away so I hope I don't have to go there every day. Most of his staff is off this week but he was willing to send a man just to look at the tractor, he also said he didn't have the soleniod in stock and since Kubota was also short staffed during the Christmas holidays til New Years he would not be able to get one until then, I said I would take the soleniod apart and see if it had dirt or something blocking the piston, he agreed and asked me to let him know what I found out today, I didn't find anything out, everything looked spotless, but the valve still sticks in open or closed for no apparent reason, with a test light I checked the wires that come from the button on the Joystick that when pressed causes the plow to angle,depending on which way I swing the Joystick left or right, and the light to be on, with the button not pressed the plow should tilt, forward or rear depending on which way I swing the Joystick, it would not, and the light was off, indicating that the valve should be diverting the oil to the cylinders that tilt the plow but was still in the angle mode with even though the button was not being pressed.

My dealer said he will order a new solenoid valve and send someone to install it next week.

Again thanks,

Jim

Hi Everyone,

Sorry, but I thought I had posted the fix to this problem, I emailed the company that makes the loaders, can't remember the name right now, but it is really a good company and they immediately emailed back the solution, the connection where the solenoid makes the choice of what is operated when the hydraulic lever electric switch is pressed while operating the joy stick has a round head where the hydraulic fluid is diverted and can be assembled the wrong way, it is round and there are nothing to prevent reversing the assembly, they told me to rotate half turn and re-assemble, this aligns the ports correctly, I did so and all works beautifully. If any need a better explanation just post here or email me at jcjalbert3@gmail.com , sorry for not seeing this earlier.
God bless
Jim

 

[Fromjim]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry, but I thought I had posted the fix to this problem, I emailed the company that makes the loaders, can't remember the name right now, but it is really a good company and they immediately emailed back the solution, the connection where the solenoid makes the choice of what is operated when the hydraulic lever electric switch is pressed while operating the joy stick has a round head where the hydraulic fluid is diverted and can be assembled the wrong way, it is round and there are nothing to prevent reversing the assembly, they told me to rotate half turn and re-assemble, this aligns the ports correctly, I did so and all works beautifully. If any need a better explanation just post here or email me at jcjalbert3@gmail.com , sorry for not seeing this earlier.
God bless
Jim

Thought I should look up the name of the front end loader, It is an Alo loader made in Sweden, they deserve thanks for their wonderful service, not often you email someone in a large company and get an immediate reply with a successful solution, I hope this has prompted them to make the assembly of the switching valve so that this can not happen anyone else. But I am grateful and thankful for their timely response. ***** 5 stars to ALO they make Sweden proud and customers happy.
God bless all
Jim