Loader not lifting front of tractor?

[VTSasquatch]

I am not sure that this is a problem but it seems almost every advertisement that I see for a used tractor shows the loader lifting the front of the machine. My loader won't lift it but otherwise seems okay. Is this a problem with the pump or is it just that some machines wont do it? Could this be related to my clutch problem (gears grinding thread)? Thanks

 

[beenthere]

Is that with the bucket curled down, and it won't lift the front end? Or is the bucket curled up when it won't lift?

What tractor, not that it really makes any difference.

 

[VTSasquatch]

With the bucket curled down. It is a Massey Ferguson 220-4 (1980s model 30 hp).

 

[jlsmith]

It could be the cylinders are bypassing.

 

[beenthere]

An oil pressure gauge hooked up at various points (kennyd has a handy gauge on a short hose with a QC for easy plugging in to different circuits) will help track down the pressure problem.

 

[dfkrug]

It is a Massey Ferguson 220-4 (1980s model 30 hp).

All loaders, if properly sized for the tractor, should be able to lift the
front wheels off the ground. That's a good test when evaluating a used
CUT.

If it does not, it could be one or both cylinder piston seals are leaking
too much, as JL says. If that is the case, lifting force should be better
if you rev the engine higher.

You could have pressure issues, as also noted. Sometimes the system
relief valve is set too low, or you have added a valve with its own RV,
set too low. Diagnosing with a guage is the only good way to test this.

 

[whodat526]

Sit the buckett flat on the ground and then try to curl it and see if it will pick up the frontend like that most tractors u have to do that to

 

[Soundguy]

I agree.. if nothing else, the curl should lift the front end.

unless it's a real low pressure/low capacity loader.

i have seen some cut loaders with payload ratings around 700#'s

check pressure and check ratings ( ratings first.. )

soundguy

 

[mmurphy]

What kind of setup do you have? Single acting cylinders on loader arms will not lift front end of tractor, even if you have dual on bucket.
Far as grinding when shifting, other tractors have used different methods to stop, or slow moving parts to make the shift smoother. Maybe just an adjustment.

 

[rjkobbeman]

What kind of setup do you have? Single acting cylinders on loader arms will not lift front end of tractor, even if you have dual on bucket.
Far as grinding when shifting, other tractors have used different methods to stop, or slow moving parts to make the shift smoother. Maybe just an adjustment.

Yup, my FIL has an old Ford with a home-made loader. The bucket has a double acting cylinder but the boom is single acting. The boom comes down with gravity only.

 

[woodchuckie]

I have to curl the bucket to lift mine off the ground. When it lifts the rear tires have to be able to roll. It won't do it with the brakes on.

 

[wdchyd]

My loader won't lift it but otherwise seems okay. Is this a problem with the pump or is it just that some machines wont do it? Thanks

VT Sasq,

Some older tractors (J/D and Ford) cyls have double acting cylinders but have one set of "V Packings" on tilt and lift cyls......the packings will hold a pressure tight load only in one direction....

They install the tilt cyl packings so that they will hold a "Pull" load and they install the lift cyl packings the other way for a "Push" load....Same packings just installed in reverse.....

It's possible MF used the same setup but impossible to tell from the outside of the cyl....you'd need a parts breakdown to tell.....Maybe someone here has the exploded breakdown of your cyls......

Here's a pic of cyl from a Ford 3500 Tilt cyl......(Obviously this cyl packing set was blown which I'm sure yours is not....otherwise it would not work at all)

 

[blueriver]

I have 2 newer tractors the one has more cylinder room on the down side and will lift with out curling the bucket ... the other I have to curl the bucket and then lower the arms to raise it ... sure works nice to change the front tire when they are flat ..

 

[RoyJackson]

I have to curl the bucket to lift mine off the ground.

I think you mean dump rather then curl.
Curl brings the bucket up toward the loader arms. Dump...well, that's self explanatory...

 

[VTSasquatch]

Thanks guys

 

[kebo]

I assume you have tried to use the FEL to lift the tractor with the motor at operating speed, which is typically about 2500rpm? If you try that at idle, the pump may possibly not have enough pressure to lift it. That's just another possibility anyway.....

 

[alchemysa]

Does the loader/bucket have a 'float' position? I think most of them do, so make sure you are not pushing the lever too far, into the 'float' position. Try pushing the lever very slowly. If it feels like it wants to lift the tractor, but then slumps down, you may be pushing the lever too far.