TS60R Bucket tilt rapid bleed down, diagnosis question.

[V65ozzie]

Picked it up off a job this morning, noticed that the bucket tilt is not holding the bucket level, it rapidly bleeds down. I know it's probably two things, bad seals in the pistons or a valve that's not closing. Can I test the pistons by lifting the bucket, supporting it, removing the lines and capping the ports, then removing the support? My thought is that if it still bleeds down, then the pistons are bypassing internally, if not, then I have a valve issue. Will this quick and ugly method work? Ran into this recently on my bobcat, but, it was under warranty, so it got dropped at bobcat. They replaced the cylinders. Bear with me, my understanding of hydraulics is basic, but, thanks to this board I've learned a lot.

 

[Tazza]

I see no reason why your way won't work. 99% of the time it is a bad seal or the nut has loosened up that holds the piston on to the rod.

 

[V65ozzie]

I see no reason why your way won't work. 99% of the time it is a bad seal or the nut has loosened up that holds the piston on to the rod.

Turns out my idea will work, but having twin cylinders complicates it. With both cyl capped I had no bleed down, ergo, I assumed it was the valve. After talking with takeuchi, they agreed to extend the warranty a few days(it literally expired the day of the failure) mainly due to the low hours on the machine(230). After dropping off at the service place, their diagnosis is that it does have a bad cyl. I *should* have tested the cylinders independently, instead of at the same time. But, at least it's saved us a few hundred as the cyl will be covered. But yes, apparently it had something to do with the nut inside the cylinder, but the cylinder will need to be replaced.

 

[Tazza]

Turns out my idea will work, but having twin cylinders complicates it. With both cyl capped I had no bleed down, ergo, I assumed it was the valve. After talking with takeuchi, they agreed to extend the warranty a few days(it literally expired the day of the failure) mainly due to the low hours on the machine(230). After dropping off at the service place, their diagnosis is that it does have a bad cyl. I *should* have tested the cylinders independently, instead of at the same time. But, at least it's saved us a few hundred as the cyl will be covered. But yes, apparently it had something to do with the nut inside the cylinder, but the cylinder will need to be replaced.

Glad it was found, the nuts on the rod ends can come loose.
Good to hear it is all covered by warranty too.