FEL Leaking Down

[In Utopia]

The loader on my L175 tends to

leak down with the engine not running. My guess is that the O rings in the shuttle valve on the control lever may need replacing, any thoughts on this.


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[GWD]

Could be. On the other hand, it could be normal. Most hydraulic equipment leaks down a bit...some faster, some slower.

How much does it leak down. An inch and hour? Six inches an hour?

I damaged the boom cylinders on an M7040 and you could visually see, and hear, the bucket drop. From fully lifted it took about an hour for the bucket to be on the ground.

 

[In Utopia]

It leaked down 4 inches in 15 minutes.
After looking at the hydraulic piping from the pump, it almost looks like the shuttle valve is the culprit, there are no check valves to leak by that I see.
After a closer look, the culprit actually might be a quick coupling in the hydraulic lines leading the shuttle. Just washed them off, may be in luck, they appear to be made for or by International Harvester. Looks like an easy enough fix.

I love it when plan comes together. Replaced both O-rings in the hydraulic lines ,leak down stopped. O-ring kit paid off once again.
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[Big Kahuna]

Yep, Id say thats your problem. I just rebuilt one 2 weeks ago, its a Cessna 30922 control valve,if your interested in me rebuilding send me a pm.


Big Kahuna

 

[GWD]

Thanks for reporting back. It is always nice to hear of a successful fix. Plus, it provides valuable information for the community in case they have a similar issue.

 

[In Utopia]

Now that I think about it, I still think it's leaking by the spool.
Reason is I don't think enough oil was dripping to account for the amount the bucket went down.
What I did accomplish so far was to get rid of an annoying oil leak.

 

[alchemysa]

It leaked down 4 inches in 15 minutes.

Only 4 inches in 15 minutes. I should be so lucky! Mine drops that much in about 30 seconds. I always assumed it was worn seals in the hydraulic rams. Too much hassle to fix, so for now I just live with it.

 

[In Utopia]

Had a thought last night.
I remembered that sometime when under power the the joystick would stay slightly in the down position when pushed thus allowing the bucket to slowly go down.
Raised the bucket, wiggled the joystick to make sure it was in nueteral position, measured the height.
Got up this am, and it only lowered about 1".
Conclusion, weak spring in on the shuttle valve.

Two choices.
1. Ignore it.
2. Locate a rebuild kit for it and fix it.

Also had another thought, but didn't follow through. Thought about raising the bucket, turn engine off and disconnect the quick couplings to rule out leaky cylinders, but opted not to. Didn't know if I could disconnect with pressure on them so I put that one on the shelf.

 

[GWD]

Had a thought last night.
I remembered that sometime when under power the the joystick would stay slightly in the down position when pushed thus allowing the bucket to slowly go down.
Raised the bucket, wiggled the joystick to make sure it was in nueteral position, measured the height.
Got up this am, and it only lowered about 1".
Conclusion, weak spring in on the shuttle valve.

Two choices.
1. Ignore it.
2. Locate a rebuild kit for it and fix it.

Also had another thought, but didn't follow through. Thought about raising the bucket, turn engine off and disconnect the quick couplings to rule out leaky cylinders, but opted not to. Didn't know if I could disconnect with pressure on them so I put that one on the shelf.

>You could raise the bucket, put it in float, and let it down on a raised floor jack.
>Then shut off the tractor and rotate the joystick around and around to take off all pressure. Disconnect the couplings.
>Lower the jack so the bucket is suspended and check it in the morning. If it hasn't moved then your question is answered.
>You'll have to use the jack the next morning to support the bucket, thus taking the pressure off the lines, in order to hook the couplings up again.

Just a thought.

 

[In Utopia]

Didn't see the forest for the trees, great idea.
After I knew it was the control valve I quit thinking hydraulic.

Great tip for someone else doing hydraulic trouble shooting.

Thanks