741 lift arms settle

[wademiller]

since I bought the machine the lift arms have settled. Always thought cylinders were in need of resealing but the other day while running it I started playing with the pedal. Now that pedal had some play in it so not pulling on linkage; now if I push on the pedal to lift just a little (not enough to start lifting) it stops settling. Is there any adjustment that can be made to stop this or might I have a broken or weak return spring. Started looking at valve breakdowns on bobcat. Thanks

 

[SkidRoe]

You may want to check the return springs on the control. They will be on the opposite end of the control from where the linkage connects, and will be under an aluminum cover secured by two socket head screws.
HTH - SR

 

[Tazza]

You may want to check the return springs on the control. They will be on the opposite end of the control from where the linkage connects, and will be under an aluminum cover secured by two socket head screws.
HTH - SR

If it's not the centering spring, it may be the load checks. I had this happen on an old machine i had.

 

[billrbg]

If it's not the centering spring, it may be the load checks. I had this happen on an old machine i had.

I suggest eliminating a leaking lift cylinder piston, your original guess, before digging into that Control Valve. Lift the arms and mechanically hold them up (with a jack or such), then disconnect the two hydraulic lines after the R/L "tees" and cap the tees. Then let the lift arms loose and see if they still fall fairly rapidly.