Merlo 32.6 boom suspension fault...........

[Chuckie]

One for the Merlo experts on here @asm @Planttech @x121x or anyone else that might know....

I've got a Merlo 32.6 with the boom suspension not working properly.

I know that it's common for the wiring at the bottom of the ram to break, so have re done the wire and plug further back up the loom, but it hasn't made any difference.

If you are travelling with weight on it seems to work ok, but if nothing on the front it's as if it isn't working at all, but you only need to push the joystick forward slightly and it starts working again instantly

I'm wondering if something is sticking in the valve on the ram, or something like that?

 

[Planttech]

One for the Merlo experts on here @asm @Planttech @x121x or anyone else that might know....

I've got a Merlo 32.6 with the boom suspension not working properly.

I know that it's common for the wiring at the bottom of the ram to break, so have re done the wire and plug further back up the loom, but it hasn't made any difference.

If you are travelling with weight on it seems to work ok, but if nothing on the front it's as if it isn't working at all, but you only need to push the joystick forward slightly and it starts working again instantly

I'm wondering if something is sticking in the valve on the ram, or

 

[Planttech]

It should only work when travelling over 3/5kmph not stationary. Have fitted a new suspension relay on a couple 32.6 that have failed but they tend to not work at all.
Could be one or both accumulators failed. Possibly the valve sticking. I would check the power to it is good, I do that with a halogen bulb as it needs good power to light up.

 

[Chuckie]

It should only work when travelling over 3/5kmph not stationary. Have fitted a new suspension relay on a couple 32.6 that have failed but they tend to not work at all.
Could be one or both accumulators failed. Possibly the valve sticking. I would check the power to it is good, I do that with a halogen bulb as it needs good power to light up.

Thanks I've had a 100w halogen bulb on and it's really bright, so rules out the wiring. The solenoid magnet will hold up a big screwdriver so I'm guessing one of the accumulators has gone, probably the low pressure one because it seems to work better with weight on.

Any special tips for removing the accumulators? I don't want to get covered in oil by trapped pressure if possible, was thinking of taking off the whole unit with the clamp round the ram and having a look at each one when they are off.

 

[asm]

Crack off the steel pipe going from the ram check valve to the block the accumulators are on and let the pressure decay away.
The rmove the whole unit or unscrew the accumulators.
You may need new green seals for the steel pipe 040931 I think the number is

 

[Chuckie]

Well I had the accumulators off today, and the 20 bar one has no gas in

I wonder whether to try to get one direct from Parker hydraulics, or are Merlo reasonable enough for them?

 

[asm]

Reckon Merlo would be around £ 500

 

[Chuckie]

Reckon Merlo would be around £ 500

Ouch

I've emailed a couple of hydraulic places that supply them so will wait with bated breath for the replies

 

[YELROM]

I think @cosmagedon would know where to get accumulators

 

[cosmagedon]

When you say there's no gas in it, is there any oil on the gas side? You may be lucky and it just needing topping up.

Otherwise any hydraulic place will be able to get one for you, either by the parker part number or a generic one. If space is an issue generic ones can be a pain as they could be a different shape or size. I order all mine through Hydraquip, nationwide company guaranteed to have a depot near you.

 

[Planttech]

Well I had the accumulators off today, and the 20 bar one has no gas in

I wonder whether to try to get one direct from Parker hydraulics, or are Merlo reasonable enough for them?

I reckon it’s worth trying to recharge the cylinder. Would be interested to know if you source them from somewhere else

 

[Chuckie]

@Mr Happy would you be able to quote for a new Accumulator? See photo above for Parker part number, needs to be charged to 20 bar.

 

[Chuckie]

I reckon it’s worth trying to recharge the cylinder. Would be interested to know if you source them from somewhere else

I've not had any long term success with recharging, but might be worth a try?

 

[Mr Happy]

@Mr Happy would you be able to quote for a new Accumulator? See photo above for Parker part number, needs to be charged to 20 bar.

@Chuckie leave it with me and I will get you a quote for the Parker Accumulator. Thanks.

 

[Chuckie]

@Chuckie leave it with me and I will get you a quote for the Parker Accumulator. Thanks.

That's great, thanks. I forgot to measure the thread size while it was off, but can soon find out exactly if needed. I do know it's a male thread about 30mm roughly.

 

[Chuckie]

I reckon it’s worth trying to recharge the cylinder. Would be interested to know if you source them from somewhere else

Well in the end I got an accumulator from JCB!

Merlo quoted over £800, JCB same gas pressure but slightly bigger(longer) was £173!!

Needed an adaptor because the thread was different, and had to put 2 adaptors at the base of the ram instead of the short steel pipe to make room for the extra 100mm or so length, but it's working perfectly again now so am very happy with that.

 

[traineefarmer]

Should have bought the hander from them too.