My loader quit on me the other night. No visible damage to the pump. Was trying to lift a heavy load and when I backed up to get a different angle the loader wiuldnt raise without really revving up the throttle. Then it was jerky and felt like it was on a bind. Now the loader won’t even act like it’s going to lift. Any possible suggestions what I should look at? Thanks
L345 with 1720 loader issues
- Thread starter Shadetree55
- Start date
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
I suggest you start a new thread or ask a moderator to split this off into a new thread. You will probably get more responses from a new thread.
But you need to provide some more information or pictures about how it is powered. Is there a pump on the front of the engine or does it use the hydraulic pump on the engine?
If there are any quick disconnects on the FEL connections take them off, inspect them for damage and reattach them to the tractor. Often they can come part disconnected (by bumping into something) and cause flow problems in the system.
But you need to provide some more information or pictures about how it is powered. Is there a pump on the front of the engine or does it use the hydraulic pump on the engine?
If there are any quick disconnects on the FEL connections take them off, inspect them for damage and reattach them to the tractor. Often they can come part disconnected (by bumping into something) and cause flow problems in the system.
Last edited:
Thanks! How do I get the moderator to do that? It’s an external pump. No quick connects. But hydraulic lines are very crispy. I’ll take some pics when I get off work today. Thank you
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
There are several moderators and you can see if/when they are on line on the forum main page. You can start a conversation with them and ask them or just ask them here.
@whitetiger, @North Idaho Wolfman are the most active moderators. By putting the @ symbol before the user name you send them an alert that shows up at the top right side (a number on the bell symbol). You should have gotten an alert since I replied to your post.
Since you have the external pump system, I have to assume that something there has failed.
Have you checked the fluid level in the FEL sump (which is probably not the tractor transmission) but in the FEL itself (possibly one of the towers)?
You need to verify that the shaft is actually turning and putting power into the pump. A visual inspection at the front of the tractor will show if the shaft is actually turning if you can see it. You might need someone to operate the FEL valve to see if the shaft stops rotating under load. Another way to test the pump is to add a pressure gauge into the line and activate the valve but since you don’t have disconnects that is a little bit more difficult.
I would figure out which side of the pump is the output line (goes to the valve) and disconnect it. Either end would work but you may want to disconnect it at the valve so you can put it in a bucket and see it when you start the tractor. Fluid should come out at a good flow rate but not too much pressure when the tractor is cranked or running at idle. You could then add a tee into that line and add a pressure gauge if there is flow.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Thanks for your help! I did check the fluid level in the external tank. The dipstick is gone but it’s a little over half full. I did add a little to bring it up but didn’t add much. From what I researched it should take 5-6 gallons ? I had thought about taking the pressure side off to the valve but wasn’t sure about it. It should flow like you said at idle and if the valve is opened it should shoot out at a high pressure if pump is working right? Sorry I am just learning and know very very little about hydraulics so far. There is a filter on the return side of the external system but on the inlet side it’s just a 1” hose straight from the tank to the pump. Don’t see anywhere there could be a filter or a screen. I greatly appreciate your help!
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
There will NOT be high pressure out of the pump outlet until a valve diverts it to a work port.
Think of it like a garden hose. There is little pressure out until something starts to restrict the flow out of the end. If you capped the end of the hose, flow would stop and pressure would build up inside the hose to the full water pressure.
So the FEL valve diverts the flow into one end of the cylinder (closed space) and then the pump keeps pumping fluid into the space, it increases the pressure in the cylinder and then provides enough pressure on the cylinder piston surface to move the load.
Think of it like a garden hose. There is little pressure out until something starts to restrict the flow out of the end. If you capped the end of the hose, flow would stop and pressure would build up inside the hose to the full water pressure.
So the FEL valve diverts the flow into one end of the cylinder (closed space) and then the pump keeps pumping fluid into the space, it increases the pressure in the cylinder and then provides enough pressure on the cylinder piston surface to move the load.
Tske the hose off the P port on the valve and stick it in the hydraulic filler on the loader. Start tractor and check for flow.
If you have flow reconnect that hose and connect a pressure gsuge to one of the four cylinder ports. Start tractor and operate the control lever to direct flow to the gauge. Hold lever in that position and read pressure.
Dan