YM1700 Hydraulic Lift Problem

[Anonymous-HT-0-HT]

Please excuse my ignorance of correct terminilogy, I'm a novice.

I have a very tired old YM1700 that is used with a slasher to maintain the 1 acre yard I have. Last week while I was slashing the yard I noticed that the lift came up without me using the lever. When I moved the lever backwards and forwards in an attempt to lower the lift I noticed that it seemed 'slack or loose' and the lift stayed up.

I parked up and shut down the engine at which point the lift lowered to the ground. I checked and made sure that the lever was in the down position and started the engine, the lift came straight up and again would not lower.

On further inspection I noticed that the metal 'button/plug' on the top rear of the system that is depressed and released when operating the lever, raising and lowering the lift respectively, does not come out when the lever is moved to the 'lower' position. I am able to move this out with pliers but it has no effect.

My thoughts are that there is a blockage somewhere that is preventing this 'button/plug' being pushed out by the hydraulic oil. I guess that there is oil pressure in the system because the lift raises when the engine is running. I have also noticed that the stop valve is really stiff when the engine is running (it gets pretty hot too) and really loose when the engne is off. When I close the stop valve and run the engine the lift stays down.

If anyone has any ideas, any suggestions/advice/expert knowledge are appreciated. <E>:?</E>

 

[Anonymous-HT-0-HT]

OK please again excuse any lay persons technical vocabulary (or lack of).
After removing the stop valve and not being able to see any snags, I bit the bullet and started taking the hydraulics apart. What I found was that the actuator was jammed and the spring loaded end was not returning to push out the other end. I removed the spring and with a couple of professionally placed taps with my hammer and a screwdriver, the problem part loosened up. I replaced all the parts and ran the engine, low and behold, no leaks and the lift raises and lowers on cue.

I then took it for a test drive and slashed the rest of the yard with no ill effects. Now all I have to do is stop the fuel leak from the filter, but thats another story.

 

[alan-HT]

Leaky fuel filter could be because

-needs a little replacement washer behind either or both bleed screws
-large O-ring at inside top of housing missing or defective
-clear housing cracked or punctured
-metal tightening ring loose
-fuel cutoff lever worn at the hub

 

[Anonymous-HT-0-HT]

Thanks Alan - The fuel leak was caused by the large O ring. I've managed to solve that one now.