742 Hydraulics question

[brdgbldr]

I just bought a Bobcat 742 for a price I could not refuse. The only problem that I can find is the bucket drops or bleeds down fast. I'm trying to figure out If it is the tilt cyl. or a valve, etc. I've done the tests shown on this site (thank you everybody) ie, tilt the bucket up and ingage the aux. This not only dropped the bucket while tilting the bucket up, but also when ALL I do is ingage the aux.the bucket drops. The bucket also drops if I tilt the bucket up and drop the lift arms all the way down and keep pressure on the arms. Also, the bucket seems like it may have a little down pressure even when none of the controls are ingaged. Is this an easy tilt cyl. rebuild/replacement or do I have a valve problem? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Bobcatdan]

I would test the cylinder. Remove the baes end hose. Then run a hose from the cylinder in a bucket. Next start the unit up and curl the bucket back and hold it against it stops. Fluid should not come out, if it does, the clylinder is leaking. I would disassemble it first, check if the rod is bent and if there is any major scoring inside or on the piston. There are several cylinders used on those, so find out which one you have. There could be a check vavle on the control valve causing the problem, but I would have to look into it to be sure.