Strange but true......

[DirtHauler]

For quite awhile (about a year now) I've had this problem with my rear lift arms dropping to the floor after I parked it with no implements attached and the drop control knob turned all the way in. First it would take about a week or so, then it got to about three days, then in the past few months it only took about 30 to 45 minutes! But if I had the mower etc. on and it in the up position it wouldn't drop at all!

So I guessed the lift cylinder must have a weak piston seal and figured I'd wait till the season is over and take it down to the tractor doctor to have the lift cylinder rebuilt.

Now here's the strange thing......last weekend I did a mowing job that half of it was steep hill side which the only way it could be done was to back all the way up and mow coming down in first/low range and repeat this for a little over two and a half hours, cutting a five foot swath at a time and then I finished off the meadow.

When I got home, I removed the mower and parked the tractor with lift arms up. A few of days later I went out to get the tractor and noticed the arms where still all the way up! I checked the control knob and it was still out about one full turn! After doing a "quickie" mow job the other day and parking it with control turned in this time and it is still staying in the up position like when it was new!

Now did mowing the hill side fix it and if so, how? or is this machine "self healing"? LOL

 

[TBDonnelly]

I'd be curious to know if the hydraulic fluid could have anything to do with the leakdown?
With an extreme heat wave could the hydraulic fluid thin down enough to leak passed the seals?

Don

 

[TractorLegend]

maybe a contaminant in the oil that passed?

 

[Sandlot]

Probably had air in the system, mowing at that steep angle allowed it to make it's way out?

 

[Trac-Tech]

Hard to say exactly what the problem is here, but I suspect that there was some contamination (dirt or filings etc) in the system that had gotten stuck under the cylinder safety relief valve that has been loosened with the heavy use and is now clear and allowing the valve to seat properly. Probably best to watch it for now and if it starts again, get the MLS valve removed and checked. To remove it is not so much of a job, but you will need it pulled apart and checked by someone with the tool to set it back up again before being refitted. Best of luck.
Cheers