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QUESTION:I have a Kelly 30 series backhoe attached to a Ford 1310. The backhoe is 5
years
old. I am having problems with the boom cylinder not staying in position when
the valve is in neutral. Is this a problem with the cylinder seals or in the
valve bank?
What type of costs might be expected in a repair of this nature? Is this
something
I could repair myself?
ANSWER: Hydraulics. Gosh, I love hydraulics! If I see another
hydraulic cylinder and I have a hammer... Anyway, I'm
rather unfamiliar with the setup you mention, so I'll give you a
guide to trouble-shooting.
Cylinder: They consist of a cylinder with a piston in it.
That piston must be sealed against the walls of the cylinder.
If it leaks, your piston moves. So, first extend the cylinder and
then uncouple the hydraulic lines. Does it stop? The cylinder
is fine. Now that the cylinder is out of the way, perhaps it's
the valve or pump? Take the tractor to the service bay and
have them check it. You don't have the money for all the
equipment it takes to check beyond here. To check, you must
isolate the item and isolating a hydraulic valve or pump can
be a costly adventure when it sits inside a tractor case.
At this stage, though, it should be a valve. You can buy a
replacement or remove the offending valve and have it checked,
but you cannot rebuild a hydraulic valve with common hand tools.
I doubt it. Certainly you could, given proper tools and
equipment, but it's generally less costly and more reliable to
give the offending part to a reputable repair service. They have
the equipment, they have the proper manuals, and they have the
knowledge to not rig up a part that will fail. Hydraulic pressure
often reaches 5000psi. At that pressure, hydraulic oil spewing
about will be at or above boiling and will not mind cutting flesh
if you're close enough. Not good. While this incident is not a
certainty, it does give you an idea of the forces at work. I
include this just as a warning, not that it might actually apply
to anybody reading this post
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