L185DT hydraulics sluggish after warm up

Munger177

New member

Equipment
L185DT
Jan 27, 2025
4
1
3
Nevada
Hello, recently my L185DT seems to lose hydraulic strength after it's used for 15 minutes or so. The FEL wont lift or tilt with any load in the bucket and the three point will barely lift with the box on it. The oil strainer is clean, I checked/cleaned the relief valve/seat to no avail. The tractor has no leaks but was a little low on oil. I topped it off, but it had no effect. It seems to work fine when first started but quickly gets worse as the tractor warms up. Any help is appreciated!
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
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Sandpoint, ID
Sounds like the pump is on it's way out.

You need to do a pressure test to get a better answer.

Is it running from the pump behind the injection pump, or from the front of the tractor / engine?
 

Russell King

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
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Austin, Texas
Also check your engine oil!

If it is high that means the hydraulic pump seal is leaking. That could affect your pump pressure if that is the pump your FEL uses.
 

Munger177

New member

Equipment
L185DT
Jan 27, 2025
4
1
3
Nevada
So, I pulled the pump today and it's in great shape, no pump leakage at all. It is the one located behind the injection pump. Engine oil level is good.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
31,981
7,717
113
Sandpoint, ID
So, I pulled the pump today and it's in great shape, no pump leakage at all. It is the one located behind the injection pump. Engine oil level is good.
You can't see internal leaks.
Have you done a pressure test on the system?
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
31,981
7,717
113
Sandpoint, ID
I replaced the pump o rings and seal. Gears/bushings are good. The pump isn't the issue.
How do you know that?
It might look good and have a crack internally, I've seen quite a few.
Without a pressure test your just guessing what the pump is doing.
You're also just guessing what the rest of the system is doing too.
 

Munger177

New member

Equipment
L185DT
Jan 27, 2025
4
1
3
Nevada
So, I had some time to troubleshoot the tractor a little more. The pump is good as expected. The problem was, at some point the FEL lift/lower spool was removed and the centering springs on the rear cap were not re-installed. The spool had worn enough to let too much fluid leak by once the fluid was warmed up and thin enough. I rolled the spool 180 degrees to place the worn side of the spool away from the worn side of the block. That's all I can do until I can get a replacement. The hydraulics work fine for now.
 
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