TL130 Warning Alarm - Need Help

[Bodine312]

Thank you for taking the time to read this and your response would be greatly appreciated as I am absolutely stumped...
I apologize for this being so long, but I want you to have as much info as possible to help me figure out what's going on.

I was using my 2004 Takeuchi TL130 crawler 2 days ago and I thought I heard a brief 'chirp' on 2 or 3 occasions around 3 hrs. in, then after about 5 hours the alarm (similar to back-up alarm) started constantly beeping and after a few minutes it got louder. I checked all the idiot lights and none were on (the lights do come on when I turn ignition key). I originally thought it might be hydraulic fluid overheating due to 100 degree temp and I was running it pretty hard and traveling a little bit of distance hauling dirt to fill in a pool. I was also using a 4way bucket with the mouth open while back-dragging and noticed the cylinders dropping a little while I was dragging, but this is the 1st time I've used the bucket in this way so contributed it to the weight of bucket hanging. I've just recently started using the hydraulics on the bucket (less than 2 hours of previous hydraulic use). The main hoses were missing on the bucket but the raw ends were covered.
The engine runs as it should and there are no unusual noises coming from engine. I parked it overnight and the next morning everything was fine. After about 90 minutes the alarm started again and I shut it down and touched the large hyd filter and it was warm, but not too hot for me to keep my hand on it. After 4 hours of rest it immediately started beeping again as soon as I turned the key (before starting machine). I had to move it from where it was parked and in process went up a fairly steep incline (forward) and it quit beeping while climbing the hill and didn't beep again when I got to the top, but I only drove it maybe 50 yards once on top of hill.
I recently completed 500 hr. maint and replaced all filters & fluids as well as I check levels before using. While researching, the only thing I could find would be either engine overheating or low oil pressure would cause alarm, but temp gage was normal and oil light did not come on. The oil has maybe 10 hours on it and is clean and full. Is there any possibility that the idiot light is not working or could there be a short in the backup alarm? If so, then how could I check these?
Otherwise, does anyone have a clue what could cause alarm to go off with no apparent reason?
Thanks for any thoughts

 

[brdgbldr]

I am not familiar with those machines but I would check to make sure your engine and hydraulic oils are a high enough viscosity for the temperatures you are working in. If the oil gets too thin from heat the oil pressure could drop to the point that the sensor sends out a warning.

 

[Bodine312]

Thanks for the response. That was my initial thought too, but the 2nd day was only in low 80's when it started. The service manual recommends using SAE 15W-40 diesel engine oil up to 104F and SAE 10W30 diesel engine oil for hydraulic tank of which i used correct viscosity for both when i serviced it a few months back. HOWEVER; it calls for API Service CD (which I was unable to locate) so i used API CK-4 Synthetic blend. Do you think that would have any bearing on it? Also, do you think using hydraulics on 4 way bucket would have any bearing? I've used aux hydraulics on a grapple for a couple of years with no issues. I'm curious if something funky is going on with bucket so I thought about disconnecting aux hydraulics and see if it continues. Your thoughts?

edit; if oil viscosity gets too thin for sensor then wouldn't the idiot light come on?

 

[brdgbldr]

Like I said, I am not familiar with that machine.

Does it have error codes?
Does it have a hydraulic oil temp gage?

Like you said above, you may just have a short in the backup alarm.

The only way that I could see the 4-in-1 bucket, or any similar attachment, causing a problem is if you were somehow locking the auxiliary flow open to run constantly like you would for a broom or a snow blower. This would cause the relief valve to be open and all of that fluid passing would overheat. It can't hurt to disconnect the attachment to at least eliminate that.

 

[Bodine312]

Well... i responded last night, but don't see it online this morning.
i didn't think about error codes. Great call! i am not sure how to check them (if it's possible).
this older machine doesn't have digital readout. if anyone has suggestion how to check that would be great.

Closest thing to hydraulic temp gage is a line filter warning, but that wasn't lit up.
After I shut down from 90 minute run, I put my hand on large hydraulic filter and it was warm but not too hot to keep your hand on it.
The top of hydraulic tank was a little warm but that could've been from engine heat. I did NOT check tank below fluid line.
I checked the hoses a little while later and they were cool, but I may have waited too long to check those.
The flow selector switch will light up if open to one way, but I confirmed the switch was not pressed and light was off. I'll try it again tomorrow if weather permits and see if I can get alarm to sound and if it does then I'll try without aux hydraulic lines attached and see if it stops.

What doesn't make sense is the alarm started beeping before the machine was running, but quit when going up a steep incline. That makes me wonder if there's a short in alarm wiring somewhere that moved when on incline. Thanks again

 

[heavierZ]

It sounds like you might be dealing with an electrical issue, especially since the alarm activates even before starting the engine. Check for any exposed or damaged wiring, particularly around the alarm system and backup sensor. Also, test the hydraulic system without the auxiliary lines connected to rule out any related issues.