I was using my skid steer today. While digging in a pile I was curling up when the machine made a loud bang and the bucket went limp. Both cylinders try to move the bucket but have no power. The bucket won't stay curled when the arms are raised either. The arms raise and lower good. Can anyone help me? Thank you, Jeremy.
Welcome to HEF totlu81! Sounds like a hydraulic cylinder has broken a piston retaining bolt, or the rod itself. Place the bucket on the ground; remove the pins at the rod ends of the tilt cylinders; the cylinder with the broken bolt/rod will allow the rod to pull out of the cylinder by hand. Careful of the gush of oil, if you pull the rod right out. You may need to remove the entire cylinder, which is quite easy on the smaller machines, then remove the gland & bang the cyl on a piece of wood to get the piston & bolt out. :drinkup
The bucket will work down with enough power to lift the front of the machine up but it doesn't work down. Is this consistent with the piston retaining bolt breaking?
It doesn't work up, it works down I mean. Thank you for the welcome and quick response.
What you are describing is very likely what would happen with the broken rod or a loose piston bolt senario. Pull the rod pins & check the rod movement.