FarmTrac 535 hydraulic failure

[Tex5String]

I topped off the fluid and changed the hydraulic filter, but there is absolutely no action in the 3-point lift arms or in the front-end loader. Power steering works; it has an independent pump and uses the fluid from the differential. Any ideas? The manual has no advice about any overload/bypass device.

 

[kennyd]

Are the two pumps mounted in tandem? Are they driven by the same output shaft from the engine or are they separately mounted?

 

[Tex5String]

The PS pump is an add-on up front, with fan-belt power. External plumbing accesses the differential as the fluid source.
3-point and FEL power comes out of the differential case. Nothing in the manual about any internal filter to get clogged or any externally-accessible bypass or overload valve. This tractor is an India-manufactured copy of a 70's Ford/Long 3-cylinder diesel.
Thanks for any pointers you can give me.

 

[kennyd]

3-point and FEL power comes out of the differential case.

Well, the fluid comes from there, but the pump must be mounted to the engine. It could possibly be a sheared shaft or key on the shaft that drives the pump. Look for hydraulic lines from the sump going under the tractor towards the front to find the pump.
Also, there is definitely a filter or screen somewhere...

 

[Charolais]

I topped off the fluid and changed the hydraulic filter, but there is absolutely no action in the 3-point lift arms or in the front-end loader. Power steering works; it has an independent pump and uses the fluid from the differential. Any ideas? The manual has no advice about any overload/bypass device.

Just went through the same thing with my Farmtrac 80. Water in the hydraulic oil was the problem with mine. I had to leave the tractor at a ash pile where I was loading a spreader daily. Got a heavy rain in the night and I guess the water went in around the shifter boot. The steering always worked but on cold mornings the loader, 3 point lift or remotes wouldn't work. I checked the outlet at the pump and it was pumping. Only thing I can figure was the relief valve was stuck open and all the oil was dumping back in the belly. Once I saw the pump was pumping I'd let it run and once it warmed up everything started working.

To remove the water I dumped in two cans of Seafoam transtune. Directions are on the can for hydraulic systems. Ran the tractor long enough to get hydraulic oil through all the cylinders and drained everything. Everything meaning I drained all hydraulic cylinders as well. Changed the filter and put in new oil and yesterday it was in the low 30's and everything worked fine. You could have a different problem but just wanted to share this just in case.

 

[SESS]

If you have changed the hydraulic filter and still have the problem then, pull the left rear foot plate loose on the back and you will see a round access cover that will go into rear axle housing. You will see the suction pipe that is bolted to it-take the bolts out of that pipe and get it out of your way. When you pull the round access cover, inside attached to the cover is the internal suction screen-if it is really clogged up you need to rinse and clean the entire housing internally-we have even had to remove the lift cover to clean it properly. Some tractors came from overseas with some type of additive that "slims" in the hydraulic fluid.

I will send you a PM.

 

[Tom W]

SESS,
Is this oil problem just on a few tractors or is it enough of a problem that any Indian Farmtrac should have the hydraulic oil changed early?

Tom

 

[tommybr]

I would go ahead and change it to be on the safe side...........

 

[tommybr]

Sounds like the problem could also be that the control valve is stuck........

 

[SESS]

Our dealership has had to do this process on 5 of the Escort tractors in the last year or so. You will definately know when you have a problem. It will not hurt to change the fluids and rinse thoroughly to be on the safe side like Tommybr says.

 

[kbyrd]

If you have changed the hydraulic filter and still have the problem then, pull the left rear foot plate loose on the back and you will see a round access cover that will go into rear axle housing. You will see the suction pipe that is bolted to it-take the bolts out of that pipe and get it out of your way. When you pull the round access cover, inside attached to the cover is the internal suction screen-if it is really clogged up you need to rinse and clean the entire housing internally-we have even had to remove the lift cover to clean it properly. Some tractors came from overseas with some type of additive that "slims" in the hydraulic fluid.

I will send you a PM.

Thank you for your quote about this issue you were having, I was having the same problem and I replaced the rubber flex hose on the line and then pulled out and clean the internal suction screen, and that fixed the problem, it was really clogged up, thanks again and if anyone is having power steering problems or 3 pt lift issues I would suggest cleaning the screen and housing, and replace with new fluid. It seemed to do fine in warmer weather and when tractor was hot, but wouldn't lift at all during the cold weather, I guess in hotter weather the fluid was thinner and able to pass through the clogged screen, but with it clean it works just like it did when new. oh and for the record my tractor is a 2006 model and only has 136 hours, so needless to say this issue can be a problem with any model and with few or many hours on it.

 

[larry davis]

12/01/10
I saw your posted reply about the farmtracs . I bought a 545 and I have had lift failure twice now . I took it back to the dealer the first time and was told that the hydraulic pump had air locked . It was a balmy 6 degrees that morning last Jan. It has done it again at 30 degrees now . The waranty has now expired and I am 60 miles away from the dealer . You stated that you have had problems with other escort tractors ,any suggestions ? I also wonder if there is any crossover brands to replace all the filters.
I thank you for your time .
Larry Davis
ldavis24@hotmail.com

 

[Longshot1]

I am having the same problem on a Farmtrac 60. Fluid is milky and I can unscrew hyd filter and barely a dribble of oil. Is the screen on the suction tube located in the same place as the thread starters machine?

 

[Tex5String]

The strainer is a metal-screen cylinder about the size of a soup can, attached rigidly to the inside of a heavy cover with three bolts located under the left footboard.
Have a pan in place to catch a gallon or so of hyd fluid(I try to park mine with the right side lower than the left -- shadetree trick!) Remove the footboard, then the hose connection(catch a quart or so of fluid), then the pipe connection to the cover. Last, unbolt the 3-bolt cover. My strainer was covered with about 0.25" of thick stuff like vaseline. Give it a good cleaning and re-install.
I don't use my tractor very often, but wound up having to clean the strainer at 6-month intervals. After changing out the hyd fluid, I hope that won;t be necessary again so often.

 

[Longshot1]

Got filter and fluid changed today. Took off side cover and checked screen and it appeared to be fine. Took suction side line loose at pump and filled line with mineral spirits. Blew back through it with compressed air at 40 psi until I could hear it in the rear end housing. Drained everything and filled with fresh hyd fluid. Good news is that after all that everything worked like a champ.