Hydraulics Work and then Quit

[AZTreeHugger]

Hi. This has happened 3 times in a row.

I finally get it started (took some tricks in the cold), and the hydraulics work, yay, moving some snow around.

Then they just quit for no apparent reason.

The oil is milky. My friend thought it maybe had a chunk of ice getting caught in the pump?

It will work for about 20 minutes to a half hour, then quit.

Help!!! I was going to make snow moving a fun Christmas present for neighbors tomorrow.

TH

 

[J_J]

You have water in the fluid. If it gets cold enough it is going to freeze.

You probably need filters and screen cleaning.

You need a complete flush and new fluid.

Check fluid levels.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

My thinking is that you have a serious suction leak some where. The milky oil is that way from all of the air in it. The longer the fluid gets pumped , the more air is mixed with the oil. After awhile when the hydraulics quite working is when you are actually pumping more air than oil. Just a theroy. :confused3: Sure sounds like you're getting air in there though.
When you check the fluid when the hydraulics quite working, is it at a higher level than before it becomes milky?

Good luck

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You have water in the fluid. If it gets cold enough it is going to freeze.

You probably need filters and screen cleaning.

You need a complete flush and new fluid.

Check fluid levels.

Not saying that what you have said is not true, but if the hydraulics work when cold and then don't as they warm up, how is freezing got anything to do with his problem?

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome:

 

[J_J]

Drain some of the hyd fluid and let it set.

If it is air en-trained fluid, it will dissipate with time.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Drain some of the hyd fluid and let it set.

If it is air en-trained fluid, it will dissipate with time.

Correct, this is why I think that the system works at first and then quites. :confused3: Don't really know, just guessing.

 

[J_J]

Install a hyd gage to the IN port of the FEL valve and use it to monitor and trouble shoot the hyd system.

Air will cause erratic pressure readings.

 

[V1Rotate]

Just a question. If you took a small sample of the milky fluid and put it in a glass jar and let it sit for a while, could you tell if the contamination was air or water? If it was water, would you see it settle to the bottom?

 

[Soundguy]

Just a question. If you took a small sample of the milky fluid and put it in a glass jar and let it sit for a while, could you tell if the contamination was air or water? If it was water, would you see it settle to the bottom?

if it's air entrainment, it will settle out.. most utf oils anti-foam quickly upon setting.

if it is water emulsion.. it may settle to water and oil.. it may not.. depends on the addatives, emulsifiers..e tc. some emulsions can be stable..

air will settle out though...

 

[J_J]

If you drain some of what you think is water and fluid, before it is emulsified, the water may settle out.

If it is emulsified, it will stay milky looking .

Air entrained fluid will have bubbles, and will settle out or dissipate.

There is a crackle test that is a good indicator for water in fluid. Heat a spoon and put a couple of drops of the fluid on the spoon. If it is water mixed fluid, it will crackle or sizzle.

 

[scaf]

I HAVE A FORD 800N SERIES AND 3 POINT WONT WORK. IT WORKED FINE WHEN I PARKED IT A YEAR AGO. CHANGED PUMP, DIDNT HELP. PLENTY OF OIL. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. JERRY 228-216-1544

 

[Soundguy]

first.. need to know what ford you REALLY have.

a N series ( 1939-1952 )

or an 800 series ( 1955-1957 )

on an N, sticky intake valving at pump can prevent hyds.

on a 00 series.. sticky unloader in top cover can prevent hyds

post back more info.

 

[Chris from Ontario]

Hi. This has happened 3 times in a row.

I finally get it started (took some tricks in the cold), and the hydraulics work, yay, moving some snow around.

Then they just quit for no apparent reason.

The oil is milky. My friend thought it maybe had a chunk of ice getting caught in the pump?

It will work for about 20 minutes to a half hour, then quit.

Help!!! I was going to make snow moving a fun Christmas present for neighbors tomorrow.

TH

This happens to my David Brown every few years and is caused by condensation collecting in the trans/hydraulic fluid from yearly temperature changes. The fine ice crystals in the fluid clog up the fine filter material and in effect shut down the flow of fluid. As soon as I change the fluid in the summer it works good agin in the winter for a few years until it builds up again.
I should mention that I don't work this tractor very hard or for long periods in the summer where it might evaporate some of the moisture.
BTW, long time off and on lurker and finally signed up to TBN. Hello everybody and great site you have here.

 

[Vtfirefighter]

Hello. I was out doing some snow removal myself when my bucket stopped working.. Sort of. Up and down still works but I cant roll my bucket back up. Sounds like I might have a similar problem? Thank god I got 95% of the driveway done. Oh and a teenager to finish up! Hahaha.. Hoping if I let it set a while it will start working again?

 

[DFB]

Up and down still works but I cant roll my bucket back up

Vtfirefighter check your loader quickconnects...sounds like one isnt locked in tight

 

[Vtfirefighter]

Up and down still works but I cant roll my bucket back up

Vtfirefighter check your loader quickconnects...sounds like one isnt locked in tight

Thanks. I looked the connections over real quick and didn't see one out of place but I'll check again. If its not that, what else might it be? Little worried considering its a 2010 b2620 with around 150 hrs on it.

 

[DFB]

Cant always tel by looking tho I'd first try dissconecting and reseating the hose fittings. The other 3 directions still work right?

 

[J_J]

You can always remove the QD's for a positive test.

If you try and move the bucket, and the relief activates without the cyl moving, you have your answer.

It could also flow in one direction and not the other with a defective QD..

 

[wdchyd]

Check also the 3ph lever isn't in the up position........it'll blow over a relief valve and block the flow coming from the FEL valve