I have a front mount GF1800e. It lifts my mower with no problem. When I installed a quick hitch and mounted on the snowblower it barely lifts it. I need to increase engine speed to get it all the way up. Then I bought a front blade. It's a B2160 which might weigh 300-400 lbs. No luck at all getting it up. Oil level is fine. Checked hydraulic screen and it's OK. Changing oil and filter in case. Any ideas?
GF1800 lifting capacity
- Thread starter steuny
- Start date
They set the relief to just barely lift a mower deck. It is a easy job to increase the relief pressure after you get the proper shims.
I see that 2 sizes are available. Any idea which is stock. Thanks. Also was considering the "implement assist springs" that are available.
No I don't remember if it even had any shims. The springs are a good idea to even for just regular mowing as it will transfer some weight to the drive wheels for extra traction.
As I was reading the service manual it talks about adding or adjusting the pressure with shims. Problem is they mention doing this on the control valve as well as the control valve adapter. Any thoughts of which one I should be adjusting or both. I hope to install spring kit and eliminate playing around with these shims all together. Thanks
So the spring lift kit did not solve the problem. I will get some shims. Not much info on how to install them. Is thicker shim going to increase set pressure. Is the adjusting screw actually adjust or does it allow for shims to be removed and added. It is very hard to turn as I took the cover off and not easily removed with a flat screwdriver. Anybody ever change on of these shims. Thanks
I messed with mine a fair amount and the adjusting screw is not meant to adjust. It just holds everything in place and when tightened in must be bottomed out. The shims are all that is meant to adjust pressure. I believe there are 3 thickness of shims I would buy all 3 (they are cheap) and start with the thick one. It maybe all that is needed.
Removing the relief is a bit tricky. If you examine the parts diagram you will see that the shims spring etc all fit in a cylinder. I needed a pencil magnet too remove all the components but you might get lucky and not need to as the shims goes right behind the adjusting screw.
I may be wrong, there might be only 1 thickness of shim so I would buy several.
I also found it easier if I removed the flip door. It gives alot more room to work.
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I actually have the deck off so to get better access. I will get the shims and post how I make out. Thanks for the info. It sure helps.
So I got 2 shims. Only one size. Then I carefully took the adjusting screw out. I found no washer ahead of the spring like the schematic in my manuals says there is. I installed the 2 shims and put it back together. Not much difference. Then I went back to the dealer for this missing washer which they surprisingly had in stock. Looked just like the shim. Anyway I installed the washer and shims and sorry to say it still has trouble lifting my blade. Should I install more shims? Is there anything else to check.
Are you certain the 'adjusting' screw is turned all the way in? If it is not the relief will not work properly. When I got mine it was not turned in all the way. I am not sure if it is assembled with some kind of powered tool that doesn't have the torque turned up enough or what but make sure it is. If you can rig up a gauge and determine what your pressure is would be a good idea. I just disconnected the line to the lift cylinder and connected a pressure gauge. Keep in mine this is not a high flow, high pressure system. It just uses the charge pump for the hydrostat as the hydraulic pump. When the oil warms up and thins out some it tends to be kinda of weak.
So I finally got a 600# gauge and did the test. It went right to the max so I removed the 2 shims and left the washer. It then read #525 which is a little higher then spec but close enough. It still would not lift my blade. Guess I will just go shopping for the lighter version of the blade as obviously this tractor has limitations on the weight. Too bad as this blade is nice and heavy and built strong. I guess that's the end of this story.
I have the same problem, but mine will lift the deck and plow blade with no problems. It will not lift the snow blower,any suggestions??
Have you installed the spring lift assist kit. With the pressure where it should be I still needed the spring kit to lift my heavy blade. They are about $100.