Log grapple weakness question

[Quadsport09]

My dad just bought a logging truck for his tree business. Its a smaller on and he just got it and used it today for the first time. He noted that it moved fine without a load, and had full motion. when picking up a log, his outriggers slowly started retracting and he was unable to rotate the grapple base. He also stated his hydraulic lines got warm.
and when comparing the PTO on this truck compared to his boom truck, he says that this truck's PTO seems to put more stress on the engine.

I think that he might have an internal leak somewhere causing a loss of power and heat production. Does anyone have any knowledge on this ?
Thanks guys,
matt

 

[jrcat]

You have some blow -by in the control valve blocks. They will need to be rebuilt or replaced depending on how wore out they are. The reason why you have such a load on the engine has a little to do with the valve block issues but not that much. Depending on the make and model of the loader those pumps put out a lot of flow and pressure. Pressure to do the work and flow for speed to do the work. What make and model is the loader?

 

[floyd]

Enough fluid in the system? Check the filter, may need changing.

 

[jrcat]

And yes blow-by in those blocks will make heat lots of heat. Does this loader have an oil cooler on it? And is there an electric fan on the cooler? if so check to make sure they are working. Serco loaders make lots of heat even working properly as they have massive pumps with high pressure and high flow. The prentice units dont seem to get as hot. I have not run or worked on any prentice loaders with coolers on them. Then again I have only really run 120 prentice loaders.

 

[jrcat]

Enough fluid in the system? Check the filter, may need changing.

That too lol. Low fluid will also cause jerky movement in the loader

 

[Quadsport09]

The top end of the grapple is a peterson loader I believe, as well as the outrigger portion of it. The bottom end of the loader is home made I think my dad said.
He doesnt think there is an oil cooler but i will check tomorrow.
thanks for the replies

 

[floyd]

Yeah, I'm a KISS guy.

 

[jrcat]

Yeah, I'm a KISS guy.

KISS guy?

 

[floyd]

Keep It Simple, Stupid. KISS

 

[jrcat]

OH ok lol