Solving the “Floppy Bucket” by adding a flow restriction

[shooterdon]

Has anyone added a flow restrictor valve to cure this problem?

Would you recommend the valve you used and was one needed on each bucket curl cylinder?

Thanks.

 

[ptsg]

Yes, that's a common "fix" for the floppy bucket.

Technically, you just need one right after the quick disconnect on the rod side of the curl cylinders.

Get one that restricts the flow in one way but allows for full flow in the opposite way. Something along these lines: 1/4 NPT 10.5 GPM DYNAMIC JPFC-1/4-NPT In-Line Flow Control | Inline & Needle Valves | Flow Control Valves | Hydraulic Valves | Hydraulics | www.surpluscenter.com

 

[GS650GL]

That is correct, you only need one on the hose from the valve, and it does help floppy bucket syndrome. The one recommended above is good because it is adjustable so you can dial in the amount of restriction you need, instead of having a fixed non-adjustable orifice, and is one way so it does not affect flow in the other direction. Changing the hydraulic filter regularly and running at full throttle helps also so you will have maximum hydraulic flow. The problem is caused by cavitation in the bucket cylinders when hydraulic flow does not keep up with demand when dumping the bucket. The restrictor prevents dumping too fast so that it does not cavitate.

 

[spruce Deere]

The floppy bucket syndrome is not much an issue with my xr3140, but the deere 790 is very prone to it. Over the time of 18 years of operating the deere loader I did find dumping slowly helped very much on the flop bucket and nothing happens syndrome when the lever is pushed to curl back up....

 

[brewdog]

That is correct, you only need one on the hose from the valve, and it does help floppy bucket syndrome. The one recommended above is good because it is adjustable so you can dial in the amount of restriction you need, instead of having a fixed non-adjustable orifice, and is one way so it does not affect flow in the other direction. Changing the hydraulic filter regularly and running at full throttle helps also so you will have maximum hydraulic flow. The problem is caused by cavitation in the bucket cylinders when hydraulic flow does not keep up with demand when dumping the bucket. The restrictor prevents dumping too fast so that it does not cavitate.

Excellent post GS650GL !! I was able to remove my one way restrictor after a while and found the bucket curl functioned as normal. I’ve seen many of these safety issues on brand new tractors. Dealers should be required by law bleed the air out as part of the pre-sale assembly procedure. This can be very dangerous when someone is new to tractors and puts a set of forks on it and they drop like a rock with a load on them. Very dangerous. Serious safety issue for dealers and manufacturers. Great post !!

 

[GS650GL]

Apparently the new MT2 series such as a MT242 now have a different loader control valve with an oil regeneration circuit that helps to fill the cylinders faster during the dump cycle to reduce floppy bucket syndrome. Just heard about this from my dealer's LS service rep. He also said the hitch control valve is different too, so the hitch won't be so jerky when trying to raise slowly or making small height adjustments.

 

[brewdog]

Apparently the new MT2 series such as a MT242 now have a different loader control valve with an oil regeneration circuit that helps to fill the cylinders faster during the dump cycle to reduce floppy bucket syndrome. Just heard about this from my dealer's LS service rep. He also said the hitch control valve is different too, so the hitch won't be so jerky when trying to raise slowly or making small height adjustments.

This is good information to know. Happy to see they recognize there is an underlying defect in the products they sell. For the money they charge for the tractors, this is known issue and there should be a recall on all machines for correction.

 

[GS650GL]

This is good information to know. Happy to see they recognize there is an underlying defect in the products they sell. For the money they charge for the tractors, this is known issue and there should be a recall on all machines for correction.

All brands of tractors can and do have floppy bucket syndrome, not because of a defect but because of the laws of physics. During the dump cycle, the weight in the bucket pulls it down faster than oil can be supplied to fill the base end of the cylinders which causes cavitation. While oil is emptying from the rod end of the cylinders which holds less oil, it takes longer to fill the base end which holds more oil. The rod end holds less oil because the rod takes up space inside the cylinder. A cylinder always retracts faster than it extends for this reason, and also has more power extending than retracting because the piston has less surface area where the rod is attached to it. If you apply equal pressure to both ends of a cylinder at the same time, it will extend because of the difference in piston surface area. Normally during the bucket dump cycle, the oil emptying from the rod end returns back to tank. But the oil regeneration feature instead adds the oil emptying from the rod end to the oil being supplied from the valve to the base end. The combined flow helps to prevent cavitation. Sorry, but no manufacturers will have recalls on the units they made previously without oil regeneration. Maybe someday all brands may have it to keep up with the competition.

 

[ptsg]

There is always the possibility of adding a regenerative valve to the circuit.

Hydraulic Regenerative Check Valves | Flowfit |V1220

From our range of Check Valves, part of our wide collection of Hydraulic Valves. Shop at Flowfit today for competitive prices!

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[tacticalturnip]

Apparently the new MT2 series such as a MT242 now have a different loader control valve with an oil regeneration circuit that helps to fill the cylinders faster during the dump cycle to reduce floppy bucket syndrome. Just heard about this from my dealer's LS service rep. He also said the hitch control valve is different too, so the hitch won't be so jerky when trying to raise slowly or making small height adjustments.

It's nice when a manufacturer works to make solid improvements and not just cosmetic changes.