NH 7308 Front end loader issue

[matadoor1]

Hi all, new here!

I've scanning the site for about an hour and didn't find this mentioned, so thought I'd ask.

First, before the following happened, everything worked just dandy.

We were clearing some brush, and a HUGE log snapped off one of the fittings at the hydraulic pump, purging the system of all fluid. I found out the hard way what a great defoliate agent that hydraulic fluid really is...

Anyway, replaced the connector, and re-filled the fluid.

Everything works, except when trying to lower the bucket. It goes down MAYBE 12 inches from flat, then requires someone to stand on the bucket, it then lowers, but has absolutely no "pressure/power" at all.

All other ways, the bucket works and acts fine with full power.

Any ideas?

I'm not a hydraulic engineer, so please be kind..

Thanks!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I am not great with hydraulics either but could it be air in the system? Did you try bleeding the cylinders to purge any air?

 

[matadoor1]

Not 100% sure how to do that Robert, this is my first issue with the hydraulics, and I've had my TC-33D and this loader for over 10 years with ZERO issues.

I'm pretty handy with rebuilding motors (ATV, bike, and trucks), but I've never dealt with hydraulics at all.

Anyone care to explain the process?

Please?


Sorry, edit - I talked with my NH dealer, who suggested that the air will purge itself after several "cycles" but I'm not sure how accurate he is. It's been a month, and after MANY cycles, no change.

 

[matadoor1]

Found it!!

Posting so that everyone can see what it was.

The "white" hydraulic line was not properly seated, I took all of them off and back on, and sure enough the white one was "loose" yet didn't really look like it until I popped them off and back on.

It must have jogged loose when the log hit the system on the bottom.

Thanks!!

Glenn

 

[Robert_in_NY]

So the line being loose was allowing air into the system? Glad you got it figured out though. I had a problem like yours but it ended up being the hydraulic filter my dealer gave me was the wrong one. There were two available for my tractor depending on the serial number break and they grabbed the wrong one. Gave me all sorts of problems but once the filter was replaced with the proper one (after a lot of head scratching) everything worked fine.

 

[jinman]

So the line being loose was allowing air into the system? Glad you got it figured out though. I had a problem like yours but it ended up being the hydraulic filter my dealer gave me was the wrong one. There were two available for my tractor depending on the serial number break and they grabbed the wrong one. Gave me all sorts of problems but once the filter was replaced with the proper one (after a lot of head scratching) everything worked fine.

Robert, I think he is saying that one of his quick connects was loose. The symptoms he described are exactly those of a quick connect popping loose. I was going to suggest that as a solution, but saw his post right before your last one where he mentioned the white hydraulic line not properly sealed, and said he had fixed the problem by "popping them off and back on." The only reason he was able to get the bucket to move at all with someone in it is that it probably has slowly leaking internal seals in one of the cylinders.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, I think he is saying that one of his quick connects was loose. The symptoms he described are exactly those of a quick connect popping loose. I was going to suggest that as a solution, but saw his post right before your last one where he mentioned the white hydraulic line not properly sealed, and said he had fixed the problem by "popping them off and back on." The only reason he was able to get the bucket to move at all with someone in it is that it probably has slowly leaking internal seals in one of the cylinders.

Understood