Satoh Bull , new owner, Blackhawk Fel ?

[Guyco]

Hi

Got a nice little Satoh Bull with Blackhawk FEL and Blackhack Backhoe, also has a Howard tiller. nice shape, runs good, doesn't smoke, all in all I am pleased with myself.
The Fel valve for the rise/lower function seems to not work in the fully forward stroke. to lower you need to hold off a bit from just pushing the lever all the way forward . I would assume the spool valve is slightly damaged (some oil on the block)? since it works just not quite normal, but after 25 years I assume everything has some character? has anyone switched out their 2 valve controls to a new 4 way valve? or just stick with the 2 levers?

Guy

 

[Mundy]

The lower lever should have a float position all the way forward.
My loader valve had a very simular problem when I got it. I took apart the valve and the little spring that pushes on the detent ball for the float position had failed.
This caused the valve to go right into float when the lever was pushed foward unless I held it back a little.
In the float position the empty bucket does not weigh enough to lower cold oil.
Try to raise the front of your tractor with the bucket, then push the lever all the way forward. Did this release the bucket and lower the front end? If so then the lever is going into float and you have a problem with the detent like I did.
I looked into other valves but found that almost all replacements are larger than the original.