L245DT hydraulic issues, again

[abeconnally]

Here's the background to my issues: https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/l245dt-3pt-wont-lift.47742/

Basically, my L245DT 3pt hydraulics stopped working, took to the shop to change the orings in the piston, got it back, and air was getting in the system and it wasn't working well. So, I changed orings and rubber hose on pump intake, let it run for a while, until I couldn't hear the air anymore, and it still isn't working well. I went ahead and changed the pump, too.

When I engage the 3 pt, it takes about 2-3 seconds to respond, then struggles up to position. It holds position fine.

I've cleaned the filter and the relief valve, but I'm thinking I should do that again, just to make sure.

Anyone know what would cause a delay in the 3 pt lifting like that?

 

[BruceP]

Anyone know what would cause a delay in the 3 pt lifting like that?

If there is air trapped in the cylinder, it will delay as the air compresses enough before lifting. This air can be trapped in there cuz the fluid only goes back/forth. (there is no circulation to help purge the air)

here is something to try: (Do this SAFELY taking care to not get underneath ANYTHING held up by hydraulics.)

1. move the cylinder all the way so there is minimum space within that side.
2. loosen the hose to that side of the cylinder (have bucket underneath the joint)
3. slowly try to lift the cylinder while it is loosened
4. Expect fluid and air to escape
5. Once there is ONLY fluid coming out, snug up that fitting.

The idea here is to push air out of the lines between pump/cylinder.

 

[abeconnally]

Thank you, I will try that. There is a vent on the 3 point, but not sure if it is in the cylinder. I'll have to look around for convenient areas to vent the air.

This is an open center system, so I figured it would eventually work the air through the system itself

 

[abeconnally]

Well, I've run this thing a lot and couldn't get the air completely out, at times, it worked ok, not great, but ok, but then goes back to the erratic behavior.

I went ahead and hooked up an implement to test, and it struggled to lift it, and then the hydraulic pump started heating up a lot, so I stopped.

I'm at the end of things to try at this point. I think I'm going to start over at the beginning and reclean the filter, relief valve, check all the o rings again, check all seals, and all that, and see if I can find anything obvious.

 

[BruceP]

I went ahead and hooked up an implement to test, and it struggled to lift it, and then the hydraulic pump started heating up a lot, so I stopped.

It sure sounds to me as if there is some sort of hydraulic blockage or pressure-releif valve which is generating heat. This would also explain why the engine seems to be loading down. '

In other words, engine power is being wasted within the hydraulic system as heat instead of doing work. (like lifting implements)

It may be wise to hook up pressure meter to various points of the hydraulic system to help isolate the problem.

 

[abeconnally]

It sure sounds to me as if there is some sort of hydraulic blockage or pressure-releif valve which is generating heat. This would also explain why the engine seems to be loading down. '

In other words, engine power is being wasted within the hydraulic system as heat instead of doing work. (like lifting implements)

Yes, could be the relief valve, but the engine isn't laboring to lift things, the 3 point is what struggles. The engine sound remains constant. But yes, something certainly isn't working correctly, and with the hydraulic pump heating up like that, it worries me the relief valve might be stuck or malfunctioning.

I just hope I haven't damaged this brand new pump.

 

[RCW]

I checked the other thread quickly, but is there a feedback rod that needs adjusting?

Sometimes a feedback rod can cause all sorts of odd-ball symptoms. They let the tractor know where the 3PH is at. Essentially a linkage between the rock shaft and hydraulic system. Is external to the rear case, under the seat (if it has one).

That's assuming an L245 has one....

Not trying to send anyone down a rabbit path, but didn't see a mention in either thread. If an L245 doesn't have one, I assume not an issue.

 

[Fedup]

Let me get this straight. You had lift problems. You had the tractor at a shop to repair that issue. You got it back and the lift has more problems. You've been working on it yourself, changing parts, etc, ever since then and it still doesn't work right.

Unless you have major issues in your relationship with said repair shop (always possible) then why didn't you go back to them first and try to find out what they may have done in there that might have brought on the current problem? From your description of the symptoms it seems more likely internal than external to me, and it's probably not air in the system.

 

[abeconnally]

I checked the other thread quickly, but is there a feedback rod that needs adjusting?

Sometimes a feedback rod can cause all sorts of odd-ball symptoms. They let the tractor know where the 3PH is at. Essentially a linkage between the rock shaft and hydraulic system. Is external to the rear case, under the seat (if it has one).

That's assuming an L245 has one....

Not trying to send anyone down a rabbit path, but didn't see a mention in either thread. If an L245 doesn't have one, I assume not an issue.

it does have a feedback linkage, but that seems to be working correctly

 

[abeconnally]

Let me get this straight. You had lift problems. You had the tractor at a shop to repair that issue. You got it back and the lift has more problems. You've been working on it yourself, changing parts, etc, ever since then and it still doesn't work right.

Unless you have major issues in your relationship with said repair shop (always possible) then why didn't you go back to them first and try to find out what they may have done in there that might have brought on the current problem? From your description of the symptoms it seems more likely internal than external to me, and it's probably not air in the system.

The main reason is that the shop is over 2 hours from me, and it's a hassle to haul the machine in.

When I first got it back, I thought the problem was just air being sucked in (because I could hear that in the hydraulic line), so changing a couple of orings and old rubber hose seemed to be a simple fix, but turned out that wasn't the case and those changes didn't help.

But, I'm now to the point that yes, I'll have to take it back to the shop, most likely. I was hoping to avoid that hassle.

 

[Fedup]

I didn't mean to suggest taking the tractor back to the repair shop just yet. Merely contacting them and asking for input as to possible causes. If this is a condition that wasn't present before they worked on it, they at least owe you the consideration of answering a few questions. The more you continue to do, the less responsibility they're likely to accept.