Backhoe "Sagging" Backhoe

[3RRL]

I'm in agreement with what the other guys said, but I wanted to comment on what AndyinIowa pointed out. He noted it was the valve and not the cylinders and I found that to be true. He also pointed out check valves. When I added double pilot operated check valves to my stabilizer legs to keep them holding the backhoe up when being stored, I thought it was the valve that was allowing the leakdown. I was worried it could be the cylinders that were bad instead of the valve. I also made the stabilizer feet taller for working on uneven ground. Here is a thread on doing that:
Backhoe Feet and Stabilizers
Anyway, after adding the DPOCV's, that hoe has sat on the stabilizers for 6 months without drifting down... it made a big difference.
As far as your dipper stick and boom, just use the locking device for storage, and also when moving/driving from home to worksite.
Another thing I noticed is that of all the valves (on 2 tractors) my Koyker loader and valve is very, very good. There is very little, if any leakdown over time, whereas the others do.

 

[john_bud]

It's hard for us to realize that our tractors are really "low-priced" and not state-of-the-art when it comes to hydraulics. The more expensive industrial loader-backhoes would probably hold for days, but a compact tractor is just not made with the same tolerances as a machine costing 3-5 times as much. What you have to consider is that the backhoe's slow sagging will not be an issue under normal use. You won't even notice it. It may get better once the seals seat, but it probably won't get any worse.

My loader bucket sags when I carry a full load for long distances. When I have my rock bucket on, it is even worse because the rock bucket is about 18" deeper than the normal materials bucket.

If you see seepage or your hydraulics sag within a few seconds, then you have a problem. Otherwise, I'd be thrilled with my new equipment and look forward to getting a lot of work out of it. Congratulations on your purchase.

I had the old (1963) hoe out the other day for a wash down and greasing. For fun, I raised the back up with the outriggers and left the hoe up and curled. After 3 days, one wheel was touching the other was maybe down 1". The boom sagged about 4-6" per day, but after 3 days wasn't on the ground. Not bad for 45 years old and being $1000 including a parts tractor!

Still, the lock valves are the hot ticket if you have oodles of skills and a shop full of tools. Or plenty of $$. Having none of the above, we just have to put up with stuff sagging as we get older (and our hoe's difting down too!).

 

[CanuckPT]

If you see seepage or your hydraulics sag within a few seconds, then you have a problem. Otherwise, I'd be thrilled with my new equipment and look forward to getting a lot of work out of it. Congratulations on your purchase.

I know that this thread is from 2008 but fast forward to 2013 & I'm having a similar problem! I was about to attach my new Bro-Tek thumb today when I realized my bucket was curling with just it's weight & gravity! I did have to replace a hose on the backhoe last fall just after I got it as it had a hole (it only had 19.8 hours on it when I took deliver). I haven't really used it at all over the winter since replacing the hose. Could it just be air in the system? I don't see any leaks & my fluid levels seem fine. Or is this just normal? This is my first tractor so I'm a newbie!! Here's a video I took of it.

Kubota BH77 bucket - YouTube

I did work the actions of the BH but didn't do any digging with it and the sagging improved but did not go resolve. I'm planning on trying to maybe try digging a couple of small stumps tomorrow and put it through it's paces to see if that improves it's performance. Any suggestions would be welcome. I only have 29 hours on the tractor at this time & for the 10 hours I've owned it, the BH has only been used for maybe 30 minutes.

 

[CanuckPT]

I worked the BH this am doing some stump digging & generally working the bucket & no real change. Here's a new video I did in case the audio helps.

http://youtu.be/JdTJ1ZipaRE

 

[jinman]

I think you have a cylinder seal completely gone on your bucket cylinder. That is about as bad as and old Ford loader I used to have. I fixed the cylinders by replacing the seals and it completely restored proper operation. That is not a slow leak. You cannot get work done like that and it will be leaking so much you'll probably have a lot less digging power. That needs a repair ASAP to restore proper operation.

BTW: Great job on the videos. That is extremely helpful in diagnosis.

 

[CanuckPT]

I think you have a cylinder seal completely gone on your bucket cylinder. That is about as bad as and old Ford loader I used to have. I fixed the cylinders by replacing the seals and it completely restored proper operation. That is not a slow leak. You cannot get work done like that and it will be leaking so much you'll probably have a lot less digging power. That needs a repair ASAP to restore proper operation.

BTW: Great job on the videos. That is extremely helpful in diagnosis.

Thanks jinman. It's still under warranty so I think I'm just going to make it Kubota's problem for now!!!

 

[john_bud]

Sad that a new hoe leaks down like that. Has Kubotas quality slipped ?

 

[jinman]

Thanks jinman. It's still under warranty so I think I'm just going to make it Kubota's problem for now!!!

You bet! That's a case of 'infant mortality' failure of a seal. Something was defective and wasn't caught on assembly. That's just the type of thing your warranty was designed to fix. Do you have 50 hours yet? Maybe you could get the 50 hr service at the same time. That's what I did on my New Holland. I had a battery acid leak that required the radiator be replaced. When I took it in for the 50 hr, they did everything and fixed all my warranty complaints at the same time.

 

[CanuckPT]

Just rolled over 31.5 hours today!!

 

[CanuckPT]

I spoke with the local Kubota dealer about what appears to be a leaking seal in the bucket cylinder. Evidently my BH is out of warranty (since Oct) but the dealers going to go to bat for me with Kubota to see if they'll cover the cost of the cylinder seal replacement out of good will. I removed the cylinder this afternoon & I'm going to run it up to the dealer Wed am. Here's hoping! I want it working 100%!!!