sloppy bucket

[ssorensen]

New to the forum and asking for some help. I have a Yanmar FX195D with a Buhlr 95 loader. Love this machine
It's most noticable when I go to back-drag after dumping. When the bucket engages the ground, it will move about 6" before it stops. I can adjust by curling out, but it would be nice for the bucket to stay in position. When the bucket is off the ground, I can lift it by hand, and the curl rams retract about an inch before they stop.
Air in the line?
Bad seals?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Scott

 

[MJPetersen]

When the bucket engages the ground, it will move about 6" before it stops. I can adjust by curling out, but it would be nice for the bucket to stay in position. When the bucket is off the ground, I can lift it by hand, and the curl rams retract about an inch before they stop.

How hard it is to get the 1" movement. Strong resistance, or almost no resistance? Does it feel like it is very firm after the 1" movement or is it "spongy"? Spongy and strong resistance would indicate perhaps the presence of air, but the almost free movement and firm might indicate that the piston nuts have backed off.

I have heard of situations where this is a "normal" situation in that the dump has gravity assist and leaves a "sort of" vacuum in the cylinder which needs to be pressurized from the hyd pump or from piston movement. If that is the case then you will have to learn to "life with it."

One more thing, Be very very careful back dragging with the bucket in the dump position--this will put but extreme force on the cylinders and especially the rod. More than one FEL owner has been dismayed to find a bent rod or two from the compression forces. Really the proper method of back dragging is with the bucket flat on the ground.

Mike

PS. Welcome to TBN.

 

[ssorensen]

When I move the bucket by hand, it moves very easy and stops firm, not spongy at all. Same as when using the controls once the fluid pressure catches up. Today, I changed the hydraulic fluid out and checked the screen- very clean. I'm waiting on a new spin-on filter I had to order from Napa. I'm using Valvoline VV813 which meets The JD303 spec. I couldn't really tell if the fluid had an unusual amount of air in it, there was some but not sure if that was just from draining it.
I didn't see any cracks or leaks in the return line, tightened all the hose clamps. I'll post up in a few days my results.
Thanks for the back-drag tip, I was unaware of that!

 

[MJPetersen]

When I move the bucket by hand, it moves very easy and stops firm, not spongy at all.

If you move it by hand quickly and firmly is there any "clunk" noise From the cylinder when it comes up firm? Can you move the bucket by hand in any position in the dump range? Both of those would indicate for me that you could have the loose piston nut, which would require a cylinder dis-assembly. However if it is silent, it could "just be the nature of the beast."

Mike