L2250: bucket will not rollback or curl upwards

danw2

New member

Equipment
L2250, loader, mower
Oct 20, 2024
2
0
1
midwest
L2250 Kubota with loader bucket.

Problem: Bucket will not roll back or curl upwards
Bucket will only 'dump' only or curl down; the bucket will not roll back or curl up.

A tree branch struck the control valve arm. Since the impact, the bucket will not curl and the seal shaft into the valve body weeps very slightly, was dry before, now a touch of wetness on top of the valve (a little oil goes a long way).

The dump/rollback control valve moves to its center position and to either spring-loaded end positions, like normal.

Loader arms lift and drop OK and boom cylinders hold position when off. Other hydraulics work OK.

Hoses are in good shape, no leakage.

Tractor is about 30 years old, always stored in a shed. Residential service: 4-6 hours/year of operation

The hydraulic fluid level is well above the line in the sight glass. Filter was changed 3 years ago (20 hours?). Other hydraulic circuits work OK.

My only experience with hydraulics is automotive brakes, a far stretch from powered hydraulics, so I need advice in repairing this.

1. valve or cylinder?
I have heard of a leaking cylinder failing to actuate. There is no visible leakage around the cylinder seals.

How does one isolate the problem to either the control valve or the cylinder, and which (rotation) cylinder?

2. Are spool control valves repairable? Are replacement spool valves available or is only the whole control valve assembly available? Are there 3rd party (non-OEM) valve assemblies?

3. Hydraulics always have a pressure relief valve. Can a pressure relief valve stick open so that pressure fails to build? Can pressure relief valves be replaced independently of the valve body assembly? Are they commercially available?

4. Comments in the manual about running the bucket up and down to purge the hydraulic system of air leads me to believe that when replacing components, air does not need to be bled out of the system; that the moving oil clear the system of air. Is that true?

5. Other than cleanliness, are there considerations for repairing hydraulics?
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
10,377
5,588
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
L2250 Kubota with loader bucket.

Problem: Bucket will not roll back or curl upwards
Bucket will only 'dump' only or curl down; the bucket will not roll back or curl up.

A tree branch struck the control valve arm. Since the impact, the bucket will not curl and the seal shaft into the valve body weeps very slightly, was dry before, now a touch of wetness on top of the valve (a little oil goes a long way).

The dump/rollback control valve moves to its center position and to either spring-loaded end positions, like normal.

Loader arms lift and drop OK and boom cylinders hold position when off. Other hydraulics work OK.

Hoses are in good shape, no leakage.

Tractor is about 30 years old, always stored in a shed. Residential service: 4-6 hours/year of operation

The hydraulic fluid level is well above the line in the sight glass. Filter was changed 3 years ago (20 hours?). Other hydraulic circuits work OK.

My only experience with hydraulics is automotive brakes, a far stretch from powered hydraulics, so I need advice in repairing this.

1. valve or cylinder?
I have heard of a leaking cylinder failing to actuate. There is no visible leakage around the cylinder seals.

How does one isolate the problem to either the control valve or the cylinder, and which (rotation) cylinder?

2. Are spool control valves repairable? Are replacement spool valves available or is only the whole control valve assembly available? Are there 3rd party (non-OEM) valve assemblies?

3. Hydraulics always have a pressure relief valve. Can a pressure relief valve stick open so that pressure fails to build? Can pressure relief valves be replaced independently of the valve body assembly? Are they commercially available?

4. Comments in the manual about running the bucket up and down to purge the hydraulic system of air leads me to believe that when replacing components, air does not need to be bled out of the system; that the moving oil clear the system of air. Is that true?

5. Other than cleanliness, are there considerations for repairing hydraulics?
Slow way down and focus on the basics. Its not a relief valve but you may have damaged the control valve or one of the plumbing connections. Should be simple to locate the problem.

The first thing to do is check the oil flow into and out of the work ports on the valve and cylinder. Post a picture of both ends of your bucket hose connections and i will offer some suggestions on how to test the flow.

Dan
 
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danw2

New member

Equipment
L2250, loader, mower
Oct 20, 2024
2
0
1
midwest
Thank you for your time in replying, but I think I fixed the "won't rollback" problem this morning.

A colleague said that the loader hose quick couplers can get jostled and not flow properly, even though it looks like they are connected, working and not leaking.

I disconnected the three quick couplers, wiped them down, reconnected them, started the engine and got full operation, both rollback and dump. Looks like it's fixed.

Again, thank you.

Dan
 

TheOldHokie

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3901/LA525, G2160/RCK60, G2460/RCK60
Apr 6, 2021
10,377
5,588
113
Myersville, MD
windyridgefarm.us
Thank you for your time in replying, but I think I fixed the "won't rollback" problem this morning.

A colleague said that the loader hose quick couplers can get jostled and not flow properly, even though it looks like they are connected, working and not leaking.

I disconnected the three quick couplers, wiped them down, reconnected them, started the engine and got full operation, both rollback and dump. Looks like it's fixed.

Again, thank you.

Dan
Super.

Dan