Top Link Hydraulic Cylinder Woes

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks. But please elaborate. What is causing the "squish" if you like. And what of the check valves?

The restrictors are not check valves, just reducers so that there is never a fluid draw on the cylinder that the pump cannot keep up with.

Your squish can be either air in the system or an actual vacuum.

With your other problems and as Richard seems to have the same problem, it sounds as though you guys are getting air into the fluid. This can happen at different locations, but most common from the suction side. You never see a leak, but there is a crack at some point getting air into the fluid.

Have you guys checked your fluid to see if there are very very small bubbles in it after operating for a few minutes. Just pull the dip stick and see if it is in any degree foamy.

On a system that is not getting aeration, the double flow restrictors should always fix the problem.

Richard is your problem on both of your tractors, or just the Kubota?

This will be worse as the fluid heats up and is thinner.

 

[npalen]

I've had this problem for several years.

Restrictors slow the movement of the cylinder. Did nothing to change my issue.

Following to see if a fix appears.

Same here. Never have figured out how or where air is getting in the system that would cause the top cylinder to be squishy. I can't see that the cylinder if being exposed to any odd forces that wouldn't be present in most other cylinder applications.

 

[davedj1]

I hate to ask but after installing the top link cylinder did you cycle it in and out completely a few times to get the air out of them? I can leave my front end loader up with a bucket of dirt and it doesn't creep down overnight or even after a few days. What you all are experiencing isn't normal I don't believe.

 

[ovrszd]

Same here. Never have figured out how or where air is getting in the system that would cause the top cylinder to be squishy. I can't see that the cylinder if being exposed to any odd forces that wouldn't be present in most other cylinder applications.

Best explanation I ever got was from my neighbor, a retired AG mechanic. He said if my tank return dumps above the fluid level it's possible a vacuumn is momentarily created there. But he also thought restrictors should help with that.

 

[ovrszd]

I hate to ask but after installing the top link cylinder did you cycle it in and out completely a few times to get the air out of them? I can leave my front end loader up with a bucket of dirt and it doesn't creep down overnight or even after a few days. What you all are experiencing isn't normal I don't believe.

This problem recreates itself. And I agree it isn't normal.

 

[zzvyb6]

Disconnect one line and see if it still droops. Try with both lines, one at a time.

 

[CincyFlyer]

I still haven't read about load check valves; it should have them, or a similar system, so that when the cylinder isn't being moved up or down it is effectively locked.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I am going to operate the thing to temperature and then dump oil into a clean pail via the SCV and a hose to see if air is present.

I spoke with my wonderful Mennonite JD experts and they kind of alluded to the fact that they might know what is going on and I should bring it down. I would like to see the air for myself first. Then, I could check after as well.

 

[ch1ch2]

Your valve is leaking.
You need check valves.

TOP-N-TILT

OSHA requires them in most cases for top links.

 

[ch1ch2]

http://www.haytools.com/images/FAQ_toplink.pdf