1020 fel bleeding off while running

[jimmydive]

I have a john Deere 1020 with a front end loader on a property we just took over the loader bucket drops continuously when running and also when in gear with clutch out. Also after about 15 minutes of work the bucket will stop responding unless I have it in gear and moving with the clutch out ie back blading.
any help would be appreciated I have the service manual on order but not in hand yet

 

[Zebrafive]

Several things come to mind
Check transmission-hydraulic oil level.
Tranmission Filter may be plugged
Suction screen may need to be cleaned.
Loader valve spool may be leaking internally
Loader cylinder may be leaking internally
Tranmission pump may be worn out
Hydraulic pump may be worn out.

 

[jimmydive]

Thanks Zebra5 I will start checking off the list next week. Also one thing I did not mention is that the 3point does not loose hydraulics or have bleed off and functions fine I kept a flailer off the ground for the 2 hrs I worked on pothole duty and then went and used it to cut a swath around a border.

 

[J_J]

Are you saying that at idle, you don't have hyd pressure, and nothing works?

Check fluid levels, and add a hyd gage.

Hyd valves have a so many drops per minutes leakage rate, that determines a good valve. There are many ways of checking where the leakage is. One of those is to determine if the cylinders are good. If you install a needle valve in the hose going to the base end of the cylinders, and raise the lift all the way up, and then close off the needle valve. If they stay in place, that means that the cyl are good. If they leak down, and they could leak down until they equalize, then the seals need replacing. If the cyl's are good, and the lift arm lowers by itself, that means that the valve is leaking, and you have to decide whether the leak rate is acceptable. If the 3pt does stay up after shutting the tractor off, that means that the valve and 3pt cyl are working good.

Do you have a gage in the system. It is invaluable in trouble shooting hyd systems.

 

[jimmydive]

J_J at idle the 3 point raises and the pto turns but the loader is bleeding off faster than it will come up even at full power the loader bucket will drop from fully raised to the ground in about 30 seconds

 

[J_J]

Install a gage in the system, and I think you will find your answer. Either your pump is weak, or a bad leak somewhere, in the FEL system.

What position is your 3pt lever in. Should not be all the way up.

 

[jenkinsph]

J_J at idle the 3 point raises and the pto turns but the loader is bleeding off faster than it will come up even at full power the loader bucket will drop from fully raised to the ground in about 30 seconds

Sounds to me like you have narrowed it down to either bad cylinders on the fel or a bad fel valve. As mentioned above installing valves to isolate the fel lines should help you determine whether the fel cylinders are holding or are worn. If the fel is raised and you quickly close off the valves in the fel lines good cylinders should hold it in the raised position for quite some time. If it leaks back down quickly you need to have the fel cylinders reworked.

If after testing the fel lines and determine the cylinders are good and holding the fel up I would then look into having the fel spool valves repaired. Might require new o rings on the spools. Testing the system pressure is a good idea too as it can give you an idea of the condition of the hydraulic pump.

My 820 has a single rear outlet but will hold and raise an MX6 brushhog quickly with no issues. Not sure what the operating pressure is but likely not more than 2000 psi.

 

[jimmydive]

Thanks for all the help guys I will have time to work on the tractor next week and I like the Idea of the in line gages and yes J.J. the lever was all the way up. Another question, is the tank in front of the radiator a reserve tank for hyd. fluid and if it is how would I check the fluid

 

[jenkinsph]

The tank in front of the radiator is the diesel fuel tank, shaped similar to an LP tank. The hydraulic pump is mounted below this tank with a front coupling turned by the crankshaft.

 

[jimmydive]

yep I know where the pump is but I do not think the small round tank that holds less than a gallon is the fuel tank
Thanks Jimmy