Pickup bed rd bale spear won't raise up?

[Tx Jim]

My electric over hyd rd bale spear won't raise but it will lower. This unit came on a J&I flatbed. When trying to raise it acts as if mechanism is hitting an obstruction which it's not. I suspect a bad solenoid but don't know how to diagnose the self contained elect/hyd unit. Thanks for any help,Jim PS: my cows thank you also.

 

[J_J]

Can you tell if the spool is moving?

Some solenoid kits have a manual plunger on the end of the solenoid.

Can you not remove the solenoid spool, to inspect, clean, etc?

 

[Tx Jim]

What ever changes oil flow direction inside the pump is hanging up enough to block oil in the up position. I can momentarily push the "lower button" then quickly push "up button" and it will raise BUT if I simply push "up button" 1st then oil deadheads. I know solenoids control up & down but I don't know what shifts oil flow direction. This unit sits in a box under the bed and is difficult for me to access. I inspected one valve on the outside of pump and the screen on valve appeared to be clean. Thanks for any knowledge,Jim