Back amongst the living - update on all the issues

woodlandfarms · Jun 12, 2014

So when I left the country, my PT was popping the breaker.

Returned early this week, still trying to find my footing but the grass is over my head so I got to get the tractor working. Call Terry, he says I am basically SOL. He says because of its intermittend failure he has no idea and I should just push it until it breaks.

So I still l think it is grounding related. I have a number of gremlins with this machine but I keep having to undo ground wires, clean and reset and things go back to normal. So guess what, I pull all the grounds, put it back together and no longer popping breakers. But now my temp guage is through the roof. Clearly an issue going on. I take my laser temp reader. Cooling radiator is at 180, engine block is at 250 and the oil pan is 220 or so after a hard run. So the guage is not reading right. I pull the engine cover off and reach in to double check the oil temp sensor and the tab to the sensor breaks off.

OK. Frustrated and then some. Will call Terry tomorrow but I think 2 things. The sensor is probably generic. But to get to it is a PITA.. Going to have to pull the cooler. So now I am thinking I may order a new engine wiring harness and start the process of upgrading all the wiring.

Oh, I talked to terry about my weird "start the engine and the lift tilt does work in the cold" conversation. He says it is the charging valve failing. I remind him this will be the third replacement in as many years. He seems unfazed.

So its good to be back in the US. The world is an amazing place and seeing it the way I did, while challenging, was pretty cool. But nothing compares to the USA for sure.

Gary Fowler · Jun 12, 2014

Where were you working outside the U.S.A.?
I suppose after all the frustrations, a new harness would be a good way to start plus a new sensor. Sure glad I don't have any electrical problems with my tractors. I hate those.

woodlandfarms · Jun 12, 2014

Israel, Georgia (Russia), Sweden, Finland, England, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Argentina, Urguay. 35 days. So embarrassed, got lost in the Portland Airport for a moment. Thought I had landed in the wrong country, so much for sleep meds.

MikeOConnor · Jun 12, 2014

Hah! I bet you and I have just been trading charging valves between the two of us. I've had the same experience -- a replacement every year for the last four.

Maybe I should buy a *new* charging valve from him, just to inject a change in the constant cycle.

marrt · Jun 13, 2014

Hmm. What valve are you guys replacing...the accumulator or, literally, some type of valve? Any pictures? I have a problem with my 1845 where it will "hesitate" when changing direction. If you press the tram a little more, it will lunge forward/backward. I'm not talking a "huge lunge." But enough to be very annoying...especially when trying to ease up on something.

ponytug · Jun 13, 2014

This is the hydraulic accumulator that keeps the brakes on until the the hydraulic system pressure clears about 600psi. Conversely, when the pressure drops, the brakes come on automatically. It is a small block of steel with a pressure regulator/relief in it, and connections to the brake circuit, the aux circuit, a small hydraulic accumulator to take out the surges, and the tank, plus some of us have the vent connected back to the tank, because each pressure cycle releases some oil.

I'm on my third one as well. I recall looking into it and finding that there was a generic.

All the best,

Peter

marrt said:
Hmm. What valve are you guys replacing...the accumulator or, literally, some type of valve? Any pictures? I have a problem with my 1845 where it will "hesitate" when changing direction. If you press the tram a little more, it will lunge forward/backward. I'm not talking a "huge lunge." But enough to be very annoying...especially when trying to ease up on something.

woodlandfarms · Jun 14, 2014

marrt said:
Hmm. What valve are you guys replacing...the accumulator or, literally, some type of valve? Any pictures? I have a problem with my 1845 where it will "hesitate" when changing direction. If you press the tram a little more, it will lunge forward/backward. I'm not talking a "huge lunge." But enough to be very annoying...especially when trying to ease up on something.

I think you have an issue with your tram control. I assume you have the hydraulic foot pedal and not the cable. I think there is a way to detune the reaction of the Tram control. I have to adjust mine one of these days as i creep forward when stopped. Terry says it is an easy adjustment.

woodlandfarms · Jun 14, 2014

Peter, you are on your third as well????? That was a brand new machine wasn't it?

MikeOConnor · Jun 14, 2014

Hi Marrt,

I think I've attached a picture of the charging valve. As Peter says, it sits in a whole bunch of circuits. I've never experienced what you're describing. Mostly when mine fails it has blown seals and just leaks oil all over the place, without changing the behavior of the 1850. It's interesting how many of these things we're all replacing. Peter, do you remember the source for the generic? If it's a drop in replacement, I'm keen to try one.

ponytug · Jun 16, 2014

Yes, my machine was new (645 hours at the moment). Yes, it is my third. As Mike says, usually when it goes, it is a blown seal and oil goes everywhere. Terry and I had a chat about whether my flipping the brakes on/off routinely had an effect (Terry thought not), but other than dirt getting on the outside and transferred inward on the piston, I don't know why they failed so quickly.

I don't remember the source. I do remember that it took me some abracadabra-ing to find the right words to describe the valve. Needless to say, it isn't made by PT... Looking quickly, I think it was a Hydac "accumulator chagrinning valve", DLHSR, Minco, and others make valves that do the same thing, but the item above looks like a drop in replacement. I'm not next to the tractor, but my memory was that one had to count up the ports to get the right version.

Let me know what you think. As I mentioned before, I think that it might (will!) require some "tuning" to set the pressure on the regulator high enough to relieve the brakes.

All the best,

Peter

MikeOConnor said:
Hi Marrt,

I think I've attached a picture of the charging valve. As Peter says, it sits in a whole bunch of circuits. I've never experienced what you're describing. Mostly when mine fails it has blown seals and just leaks oil all over the place, without changing the behavior of the 1850. It's interesting how many of these things we're all replacing. Peter, do you remember the source for the generic? If it's a drop in replacement, I'm keen to try one.

View attachment 379162