37 loader on a 1020

Back in late May I bought a 66 model gas 1020 with a 37 loader. It's a sweet little tractor, runs strong with plenty of power for my needs, the hi/lo 4 speed gives lots of options, hydraulics are strong, smooth and responsive, and the added bonus of a light duty loader. I did have to do a few things to bring it up to snuff, tune-up, oil and hyd fluid change, shifter boots, control shaft bushings, muffler, and repairing a few hydraulic leaks. Over the course of the summer, I've noticed a couple of problems with the loader. The bucket curl circuit will slowly curl the bucket down, without any input from the control valve. At first it was so slow as to not been noticed. Now you can watch it empty the bucket while running at a high idle (above about 1200 RPM). Also, the boom will very slowly drift up when doing any work above a high idle. I first noticed this when pumping some water. The tractor was stationary, filling a tank, PTO engaged, motor turning about 1500 RPM. The controls for the loader are on the the right loader mount. There are 2 seperate levers for function, the boom is power up/gravity down. The loader hydraulics are plumbed into the belly. Cylinders controlling bucket curl are seeping a small amount of oil. The boom cylinders don't leak. What will fix the drifting? Thanks, Mark.

It sounds like it is time to replace your valve.We have two 46A loaders on 3020"s and with daily use we end up replacing a valve every 5-6 years.We wear out the levers every year to year and a half(Cross valves with aluminum levers).You might get by with a seal kit but for the trouble I would buy a new valve.

I agree with Tom in that the only cure for your FEL's problems is a new 2 spool valve.

You don't say if your loader has a valve or if your're using the SCVs on tractor.
That would be a common problem for SCVs. Switch hoses to see if problem reverses. If so you need to replace bad valves.
If loader has valve it will probably need replacing.

When you are working on it. This is the time to ensure that the
oil from the loader control valve . Is being returned to a ported
filter cover instead of into an SCV and not direct to the
transmission sump.