Another L245 3 pt lift dead thread...

ispan1 · Apr 1, 2011

Hi folks,

For some reason I didn't think to bring this issue up to all you experienced mechanics until I saw the other recent l245 thread recently. I think my problem/situation is a bit different and I'm looking for any advice you might offer.

I too have an l245 with a 3pt. lift that hasn't worked in about a year. I assumed I needed a new pump because I thought I burned out the old one. It slowed before it stopped. I then cleaned the cylindrical filter screen, which was quite dirty and changed the fluid to tsc udt but no luck. I figured there must be an impeller in the pump that probably burned out because of a lack of fluid.

The other thread mentioned a cone-shaped screen. I only know of the cylinder screen that is hidden on the left side below the seat. Is there another? Also, any chance anyone can point out where the vent tube is that seemed to fix the other poster's problem? I think that is right under the seat somewhere isn't it?

I guess I have been reluctant to start pulling things out and messing with them because I have no experience with hydraulic systems, but I should probably start if I want to get things running again. The replacement pump is about $300 and I'm not even sure if I need it, so I would really appreciate any advice on how to troubleshoot this problem/things to check. Are there any newbie mistakes that I should avoid?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

J_J · Apr 1, 2011

A hyd pressure gage would be most helpful, and they are cheap enough. Install it temporally, or permanent. Install it before the first valve. If the pump is turning, and you have fluid in the reservoir, the fluid is going somewhere. If the pump shaft is broken, then no fluid. You can loosen some fittings to see of any fluid comes out. Loosen slightly before you start engine, and remember, hyd fluid under pressure can and will damage things.

Does anything hyd work at all. 3pt, loader, steering, anything?

If you can not test the pump, pull it and take it to a hyd shop.

Check all the possibility's before removing anything.

Is it factory fluid?

Is the 3pt lever all the way up. I believe that puts the fluid in the bypass mode.
lower the 3pt lever a little.

You have any close up pictures of the hydraulics, pump, lines/hoses, valves, etc.

Do you only have 3pt?

ispan1 · Apr 1, 2011

J_J said:
A hyd pressure gage would be most helpful, and they are cheap enough. Install it temporally, or permanent. Install it before the first valve. If the pump is turning, and you have fluid in the reservoir, the fluid is going somewhere. If the pump shaft is broken, then no fluid. You can loosen some fittings to see of any fluid comes out. Loosen slightly before you start engine, and remember, hyd fluid under pressure can and will damage things.

This sounds like great advice. Where do I buy one? All the lines are steel. Can I still put a gauge in? Still not sure exactly where. I will try to take and post some pictures, but I have never posted any before, so I'm not sure about that either.

Does anything hyd work at all. 3pt, loader, steering, anything?

I have no loader or ps, so I can't rule anything out by comparing.

If you can not test the pump, pull it and take it to a hyd shop.

Check all the possibility's before removing anything. Sounds like more good advice.

Is it factory fluid?
I think originally it used 80-90wt or some other fluid. I switched to a UDT type fluid at TSC after reading on a few TBN threads that it wasn't a bad idea. The 3pt stopped working before that change anyway.

Is the 3pt lever all the way up. I believe that puts the fluid in the bypass mode.

I have tried it up and down. I have also checked the valve knob beneath the seat.

lower the 3pt lever a little.

You have any close up pictures of the hydraulics, pump, lines/hoses, valves, etc.

I'll try to take some. I also have the schematics from Messicks.

Do you only have 3pt?

Again, yes.

This is the kind of advice I was hoping I would get. Thanks and keep it coming...

J_J · Apr 1, 2011

You can find the hyd gages at TSC, HF, Surplus Hydraulics, Northern Tools, local hyd shop.

You can tap into the steel lines and install a tee for the gage.

ispan1 · Apr 20, 2011

Well, I cleaned out the vent tube. It was completely full of dirt. Fired up the tractor, crossed my fingers, and still nothing.

They are all solid steel lines, JJ, so I'm not sure how I would hook up a gauge. I did pull off the line heading into the pump and it looks like the new fluid I put in there after it stopped working is in the pump. Wouldn't it be the old stuff if the pump wasn't running?

I'm not exactly sure what to do next. Any ideas? Is there some kind of valve in there that my be broken?

J_J · Apr 21, 2011

The small line coming out of the pump should be the pressure line going back to the 3pt. Tee the gage somewhere in the pressure line before the 3pt valve. The 3pt relief might be fully open.

To check the pump flow, remove the pressure line going back to the 3pt, and add a short hose and place the end in a bucket. Start tractor, and the pump should squirt fluid into the bucket. If you have hyd flow there, then the 3pt valve assembly has a problem. You may have to remove the 3pt valve , clean, check, and replace any bad parts. You will need a manual.

ispan1 · Apr 22, 2011

J_J said:
The small line coming out of the pump should be the pressure line going back to the 3pt. Tee the gage somewhere in the pressure line before the 3pt valve. The 3pt relief might be fully open.

To check the pump flow, remove the pressure line going back to the 3pt, and add a short hose and place the end in a bucket. Start tractor, and the pump should squirt fluid into the bucket. If you have hyd flow there, then the 3pt valve assembly has a problem. You may have to remove the 3pt valve , clean, check, and replace any bad parts. You will need a manual.

I'm not quite sure how I would hook a hose up to that metal line. Isn't it dangerous to let that fluid loose at such high pressure (if it is in fact working)?
As far as the manual goes, can I get away with using a Messicks parts manual or do I need something different?

fbson395 · Apr 22, 2011

Ispan1, I also have a l245DT and have a problem with my 3 pt not working. After some searching the problem was solved. The pump on the side of the motor was the problem. The pump had scores on the sides of the gears. After removing the pump I used a fine sand paper on a flat steel plate and removed the scores. This left the gears undersized but it still worked fine. What happened was the scores allowed the pump to lose it's prime or not allow one. My 3 pt has work great since this repair. This may not be what is wrong with your tractor but it is easy to do and cost little to do. Keep all posted as to your progress. Best of Luck.

J_J · Apr 22, 2011

ispan1 said:
I'm not quite sure how I would hook a hose up to that metal line. Isn't it dangerous to let that fluid loose at such high pressure (if it is in fact working)?
As far as the manual goes, can I get away with using a Messicks parts manual or do I need something different?

When a gear pump is running, and has a good supply of fluid, it is pumping fluid all the time the tractor is running. The fluid is being pumped through all lines and valves, at little to no pressure. The pressure is built up due to the resistance to the flow as might be caused by the valve directing the fluid to a hyd cyl, and the cyl extends or retracts until the relief dumps fluid back to reservoir, relieving pressure. You can usually hear this sound. If you push a lever on a valve, you expect something to happen, and when it does not, you search out the reason.