bucket hydraulics Ford 4000

RGShields · Jan 16, 2018

I replaced the direction control valve and all the seals on the cylinders. I have bled the lines to the equivalent of the full volume of the hydraulic system but the bucket raise or tilt up is jerky. Lower or tilt down is smooth but the tilt is very sloppy (moves if I put the weight of the bucket on it) Also, at times I will pull the raise lever and nothing will happen for maybe 10 seconds, then it will jerkily raise.

Any suggestions as to how to troubleshoot or what the problem might be?

oldnslo · Jan 17, 2018

The symptoms you are describing sounds like air in the system. Check the inlet line to your hydraulic pump. If there is a vacuum leak in this line it could cause this problem. Does the pump sound noisy under load?

mike48130 · Jan 18, 2018

If you have air or a leak on the suction line you will get foamy oil. Check the reservoir for that. Does it happen at all engine speeds? Sounds like maybe a pump going. If you have internal bypass in the pump it will act slow. Any difference after it warms up?