Cat 951C track loader problems

[DieselDeaf]

Anyone here familiar with hydraulic controls? I am using this machine for a few days and in return I have offered to fix the problem with the main lift arm control, not the bucket tipping controls.

What happens is the control lever that controls the large lift arm cylinder/circuit will start binding to the point of almost locking up after a bit of use and you can hardly operate it. I have checked all the linkages which there aren't much of as the controls are right beside the seat and go right straight into the hydraulic reservoir which you sit next to, to the right side of the seat. I have a book and it looks like all the valves and control gizmos are right in the tank, might be something internal in the control valve?

[Pentastar]

I'll bet it is a simple O ring worn and binding somewhere in the spool valve.Be sure and release the pressure off of the hydraulic tank and float all your implements with the engine off before you open it up for a look.Ron G

[DieselDeaf]

Thanks for the reply,

As far as safety goes I have the cylinders/arms raised with the braces in place and the bucket is all the way down so as far as I know all the pressure is off all the components, I will probably be doing an oil change while I got it in the shop so that's why I have the arms up. I have also pulled the drain on the tank and begun draining the fluid and will pull the tank apart tomorrow. It looks like it's gonna take a while to get all the fluid out of it, so far I have filled almost four five gallon buckets.

It would be sweet if all it needs is seals or rings, I have worked on spool valves before on Ditch Witches but they were a lot easier to get at. Having all the controls in the tank makes it a lot more messy.