863 bucket wont move intermittently

[mm.bbruce]

My 02 863 just had the seals done for the spools. I went to unload it off the trailer and the bucket wouldn't move. after four or five seconds the sticks would lock and the bucket positioning indicator would turn off. It drives and lifts fine. I went ahead and pulled it off the trailer with bucket still unresponsive and the bucket randomly started to work after a shut down and restart. This machine has ajc controls with the two actuators. I pulled the right plate off and blew out the actuator plugs and put it back together. The machine ran for a few hours and then the bucket stopped again. wait a random amount of time 1-20min and it works again. It also seemed to work after the guys ran it down the parking lot and bounced it around a bit. Can you guys point me in a direction to start troubleshooting? I don't think this is a mechanical issue. Do these actuators like to go bad after being removed. I ask because you have to slide the actuator back to remove it from the spool and perhaps this could have done something. The plugs for the actuators are clean. I should add that the actuators are different. looks like one was replaced, but i just lined up the housing that fits over the spool and put them back in. I understand they are rated the same. The foot controls made no difference. If an actuator is going bad; does it intermittently work? HELP. btw, had no such issues before the spools were rebuilt. Thanks guys

 

[Bobcatdan]

Sounds like a failing acturator to me. The motor inside developes a bad spot like a starter. It will work until it lands on it. The unit should be setting a service code. Also you can flip the acturators and see if the problem goes to the lift. The work done shouldn't in anyway bother the acturators, its just dumb luck the problem showed up now.

 

[mm.bbruce]

Sounds like a failing acturator to me. The motor inside developes a bad spot like a starter. It will work until it lands on it. The unit should be setting a service code. Also you can flip the acturators and see if the problem goes to the lift. The work done shouldn't in anyway bother the acturators, its just dumb luck the problem showed up now.

I learned today that the machine is displaying ASC code. Id hate to get in there and replace the actuator and find out its a harness. Does this asc code point directly to a bad actuator?

 

[mm.bbruce]

I learned today that the machine is displaying ASC code. Id hate to get in there and replace the actuator and find out its a harness. Does this asc code point directly to a bad actuator?

also, is the bucket actuator the top or bottom? Im going to switch the plugs between the two when its not working to see if its the handles and harness.

 

[Bobcatdan]

also, is the bucket actuator the top or bottom? Im going to switch the plugs between the two when its not working to see if its the handles and harness.

Tilt is the top, lift is bottom. Switch the connectors and run it until it throws a fault. Your controls will be backwards. If the code switches to a lift fault, you know it is an acturator. One thing, if you are getting a "acturator out of neutral" code, that may very well indicate a sticking spool, not the acturator.

 

[mm.bbruce]

Tilt is the top, lift is bottom. Switch the connectors and run it until it throws a fault. Your controls will be backwards. If the code switches to a lift fault, you know it is an acturator. One thing, if you are getting a "acturator out of neutral" code, that may very well indicate a sticking spool, not the acturator.

I have swapped the controls. Left the machine on the jobsite. for last 4-6 hours ran, it hasnt shown any symptoms. I have part numbers for the actuators. Is there a cheaper source than bobcat? Planning for the inevitable.. Thanks guys