Outriggers / Stabilizers will not extend - L45

[Weiher]

Hi everyone, I did a cursory search for my issue but really didn't come across anything...

My L45 which I purchased new in 2012 has accumulated approx an easy 350 hours over the years has been performing flawlessly.

Last weekend wanting to run the backhoe for the first time since last fall, the outriggers - both of them - failed to extend. It looks like pressure is there, the lines move when you activate the levers to extend them, but the out riggers themselves won't budge. Locked up solid.

I applied a bit of a load using a large ratchet strap, possibly as much as a 1000 lbs load along with operating the valve but either one would not budge.

Any thoughts from anyone what might be the issue?

Every other function on both the loader and the backhoe works perfectly.

Incidentally, I have the extra valves at the back of the tractor to run 3 point accessories and I also had the extra valves installed on the loader to run my grapple - those were installed by the dealer. The backhoe also has the factory thumb.

Help - I really need the backhoe, spring has sprung, time to start digging up the yard...!!

 

[G.rid]

Ive never heard a a cylinder locking up before. They usually will move but not have strength if the seals are bypassing.

I'm not familiar with that model. Is there such thing as travel locks on them like the main boom? Pins or latches?
Just thinking simple stuff first.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Did you have the BH off for the winter?

 

[Weiher]

Did you have the BH off for the winter?

No - no travel locks - and actually, along the lines of your thinking, that's how it behaves - as if its mechanically locked.

The backhoe has been on all winter. in fact, it has a cozy place in the garage - it's always stored inside during the winter although it's below freezing during much of the those months. Can water settle in the bottom of the cylinders and damage them?
...Keeping in mind that other cylinders on the backhoe are oriented in a similar position, although I suppose the outriggers are perhaps in the lowest spot on the backhoe.

Thanks guys for the responses.

 

[Dave_eng]

No - no travel locks - and actually, along the lines of your thinking, that's how it behaves - as if its mechanically locked.

The backhoe has been on all winter. in fact, it has a cozy place in the garage - it's always stored inside during the winter although it's below freezing during much of the those months. Can water settle in the bottom of the cylinders and damage them?
...Keeping in mind that other cylinders on the backhoe are oriented in a similar position, although I suppose the outriggers are perhaps in the lowest spot on the backhoe.

Thanks guys for the responses.

Is there any time relationship between the rear remote and grapple installation and the backhoe issue.

Right now you don't know if the problem is mechanical or hydraulic.

With the tractor off, I would be inclined to disconnect the hoses on one cylinder and see if you can then move it manually. Oil will come out so be prepared for that.

Now you will know if your problem is in the cylinder or in the hydraulic system.

Next with the hoses disconnected, and the tractor at a very slow idle, direct hydraulic flow to extend the stabilizer. Direct the end of the hose into a clean bucket. Be very careful as the oil coming out will be at very high pressure so don't stick your thumb over the end.

The retract hose should also have flow coming out when you move the control to retract.

Some photos would help us better understand your machine.

Dave

 

[Weiher]

Is there any time relationship between the rear remote and grapple installation and the backhoe issue.

Right now you don't know if the problem is mechanical or hydraulic.

With the tractor off, I would be inclined to disconnect the hoses on one cylinder and see if you can then move it manually. Oil will come out so be prepared for that.

Now you will know if your problem is in the cylinder or in the hydraulic system.

Next with the hoses disconnected, and the tractor at a very slow idle, direct hydraulic flow to extend the stabilizer. Direct the end of the hose into a clean bucket. Be very careful as the oil coming out will be at very high pressure so don't stick your thumb over the end.

The retract hose should also have flow coming out when you move the control to retract.

Some photos would help us better understand your machine.

Dave

Timewise, the accessories were on the tractor since I bought it - ran perfectly for the past 6 years.

I'm on the road so won't be back until the long weekend. Thanks for the troubleshooting tips.

Basically, the L45 is a scaled up version of the B26. The popular rental machine.

Same thing except 2x the weight. And horsepower.

 

[mikester]

Does your machine have the "direction change" levers to divert hydraulic flow from the 3PH to backhoe circuit? If so make sure they are both in the correct position.

Another possibility is a stuck relief valve.

 

[Bulldog]

I've had a cylinder come apart internally before but not 2 at the same time.

Will they lower with the machine off?

 

[crmorse]

I have an L47, not sure if they're the same but my thoughts are also to check the diverter valve levers in the back to make sure they're both open. Then I'd disconnect and reconnect the hoses, particularly the return line.

 

[rentthis]

If you just re-installed the backhoe, check to make sure the quick disconnects are seated properly. They can fool you. I checked mine and I don't think it's the diverter valve because with the right valve pulled, nothing on the backhoe will work.

 

[Weiher]

Timewise, the accessories were on the tractor since I bought it - ran perfectly for the past 6 years.

I'm on the road so won't be back until the long weekend. Thanks for the troubleshooting tips.

Basically, the L45 is a scaled up version of the B26. The popular rental machine.

Same thing except 2x the weight. And horsepower.

Success!

Sorry for the late reply and thanks for the troubleshooting tips. I returned home late last night being away longer than anticipated and this morning decided to check as Dave suggested above.

I loosened the return line for lowering and noticed it seemed to be under a lot of pressure.

I let it bleed a small amount - enough to be able to move the cylinder - which I was easily able to do. That suggested the cylinder was not damaged or otherwise seized. Tightened it again and repeated the same thing for the other side.

I started the tractor again and now both Stabilizers worked normally.

So... was excessive back pressure in the stabilizer circuit keeping the valve(s) from operating normally?

It's absolutely fine now. Very pleased.

 

[Weiher]

Is there any time relationship between the rear remote and grapple installation and the backhoe issue.

Right now you don't know if the problem is mechanical or hydraulic.

With the tractor off, I would be inclined to disconnect the hoses on one cylinder and see if you can then move it manually. Oil will come out so be prepared for that.

Now you will know if your problem is in the cylinder or in the hydraulic system.

Next with the hoses disconnected, and the tractor at a very slow idle, direct hydraulic flow to extend the stabilizer. Direct the end of the hose into a clean bucket. Be very careful as the oil coming out will be at very high pressure so don't stick your thumb over the end.

The retract hose should also have flow coming out when you move the control to retract.

Some photos would help us better understand your machine.

Dave

As you suggested, I disconnected one of the lines - upper line in the retracted position and the cylinder was immediately free to move. Tightened it up and repeated that for the other side. Just enough fluid released to be able to move the cylinder slightly. I tightened that line up and started the tractor and the stabilizers work normally. Seems fixed.

So, maybe excessive back pressure in the circuit kept the valve(s) from operating?

It had been put away cold last fall - early winter and perhaps in the warm weather now and no place for the expanded fluid to go caused an excessive build up pressure in the circuit.

At any rate, very pleased everything seems to be operating normally.

 

[Dave_eng]

Thank you for the final chapter. It helps all of us learn.

Dave