Lifting B3000 with loader arms

[jcmass]

New to Orange Tractor.
Bought a new B3000 CAB late in 2013 so I went right to snow plow set up. Set up loader for the first time a few days ago and when testing it I noticed that the loader will not pick up front of tractor (when I curl bucket place cutting edge on ground then lower loader arms - with down pressure) Tires will not raise off ground. If I put bucket flat on ground then use the curl of the bucket (scoop /Dump) picks front right off ground. Also with any weight in bucket cant steer tractor unless forward or backward motion.

Just want to make sure this is normal. Owned a B2410 before and none of this happened with that.

Please dont get me wrong Love the tractor dont know how I went so long here in new england without a cab. Just want to make sure it is normal.

jc

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sounds like something isn't right, your not pushing the loader control all the way forward are you, that puts the loader into float and will not have any down pressure.

 

[gpreuss]

It does sound like you are not getting enough hydraulic pressure. Your dealer should cheerfully check it for you. I have a 270 lb front bumper, and I usually have to tilt the bucket all the way up to get the lift arms to pick up the front wheels - that puts the lift force far back. Or do like you do; tilt the bucket down and they lift right up.
On my L3200 I have power assist for the steering. During the winter while plowing snow if I stopped the tractor and got off to adjust the rear blade, the front wheels would often be frozen in place, and would not steer. Same for having any load in the loader - power steering will not steer until I'm moving.

 

[jcmass]

I am not going into float. The down pressure with loader arms just doesnt seem to have down presure like my old 2410. I did talk to dealer and he informed me that tractor is rated for 782 lbs up and down lift force with loader arms. Told me tractor weighs approx 2100 lbs that is why loader down pressure doesnt pick up of ground. Today I tried it and made a video and here is a link.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q8vnl03f8j4zix4/raise with loader.MOV

I was today able to lift tires off ground, but if you watch with loader down pressure very slow, but raising by curling bucket lifts very fast. I did load bucket ith 640 lbs sand and also hooked 140 lbs of weight (total 780 Lb) and it was able to lift with out a problem from top to bottom. So dealer seems to be right on the money. Must be that tractor is just heavier than my old one.

jcmass

 

[Bulldog]

I'm just making a guess here after watching your video but it looks to me the loader is having to fight against the HST tranny to lift the front wheels. I (again just guessing) bet if you push the forward pedal slightly when you try to lift the front wheel the loader will shoot them off the ground with ease.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I will totally agree with Bulldog!

Try disengaging the HST (put it in neutral) and trying it again, because it definitely acts like it's fighting the transmission on lift.

When the tractor is trying to lift itself it want's to move forward, with an HST it takes extreme force to overcome the transmission!

 

[jcmass]

Still seems to not have enough down presure!!!! Almost as if goes into bypass to soon. Anyone else have this issue.

jcmass

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

You have a hydraulic pump issue, it might be as simple as needing a filter or fluid change, but I'm thinking it's more than that.
When was the last time you changed the filters?
You will need to do a pressure test to get the big picture on what's going on with it.

 

[jcmass]

North Idaho Wolfman


Tractor only has 17 hours on it. How does the pressure test work, connect to valve and they check up down and dump pressures. Or is there more to it than that ?


jcmass

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Is it still in warranty? If it is, take it in and have them test it.
If it's not pressure testing can be a little tricky as you will need the right adapter to hook in a pressure gauge to get a good reading.