DK 45 Losing Power under load

[Groff5]

2014 DK45 with a vineyard CIMA airblast sprayer on the 3 pt. Running at 2500 RPM which is the PTO at 540. Flat ground not seeing any issue, however going uphill in low gear at 2-3 mph and the tractor is fine but after about 100 feet going up a 10% slope the RPMs drop and the tractor slows and sounds like its really lugging. Stop forward motion and the RPM comes back up but as soon as I try to move forward the RPMs drop. Turn off the PTO and the RPMs come right back to full power and I can drive up the hill with no issues.

I am guessing its a hydraulic issue since this tractor model is a hydrostatic transmission so the hydraulic system is heavily used for everything. I don't think its a fuel issue but it could be the fuel filter...

I had a similar "losing power" issue on my Case 75c. Ended up being the PTO sensor (just above where the PTO comes out) was bad. Replaced it and problem went away. Have replaced it a couple of times. Nothing in documentation about any kind of derate, but obviously there was a derate based on that sensor's temperature input. Only happened when it was hot outside. Probably not your issue but thought I'd throw that out there.

 

[CubCadetGuy]

How long since you changed the fuel filter? If you haven’t done that recently that’s the first and easiest thing to do….

I had a similar problem on a SCUT and inadequate fuel supply turned out to be the issue. It needed more fuel for what I was asking it to do and couldn't get it, so it lugged down and died. Mine turned out to be a crimp in the fuel line, not the filter, but it was really the same issue.

 

[ScottinAfton]

Sounds like fuel starvation to me. I had the same thing with my Massey 135. Tractor ran great but could only sustain real loads for short periods before stalling. Took me a while (and replacing all the filters and cleaning all the lines) to figure out the problem was a restriction from gunk at the bottom of the fuel tank.

 

[lennypoulin]

2014 DK45 with a vineyard CIMA airblast sprayer on the 3 pt. Running at 2500 RPM which is the PTO at 540. Flat ground not seeing any issue, however going uphill in low gear at 2-3 mph and the tractor is fine but after about 100 feet going up a 10% slope the RPMs drop and the tractor slows and sounds like its really lugging. Stop forward motion and the RPM comes back up but as soon as I try to move forward the RPMs drop. Turn off the PTO and the RPMs come right back to full power and I can drive up the hill with no issues.

I am guessing its a hydraulic issue since this tractor model is a hydrostatic transmission so the hydraulic system is heavily used for everything. I don't think its a fuel issue but it could be the fuel filter...

I had a similar problem with an 855 John Deere. The fuel solenoid that controls fuel supply to the fuel injector pump (not the electric fuel pump) was sticking. All I did was blow off dirt and gave all related moving parts a good spray with PB Blaster. Solved my problem.

2014 DK45 with a vineyard CIMA airblast sprayer on the 3 pt. Running at 2500 RPM which is the PTO at 540. Flat ground not seeing any issue, however going uphill in low gear at 2-3 mph and the tractor is fine but after about 100 feet going up a 10% slope the RPMs drop and the tractor slows and sounds like its really lugging. Stop forward motion and the RPM comes back up but as soon as I try to move forward the RPMs drop. Turn off the PTO and the RPMs come right back to full power and I can drive up the hill with no issues.

I am guessing its a hydraulic issue since this tractor model is a hydrostatic transmission so the hydraulic system is heavily used for everything. I don't think its a fuel issue but it could be the fuel filter...

 

[zzvyb6]

Air filters, Both of them. If it was power overloaded, either internally or externally, you'd be on the governor and exhaust would have black smoke.

 

[blizzardslayer]

Have you considered microbial contamination? This problem mysteriously plagued me for years. I now have run a microbial biocide in my fuel for at least five or six years now and have had no problems since. You may have to drain your tank and change your fuel filter a couple times after the first treatment. Also try and keep your fuel tank full when you’re not using your equipment as that will help prevent condensation in your tank. Water is your enemy in fuel. It is the interface between water and fuel where microbe contamination grows. Also running a water disposal agent in your fuel doesn’t hurt either. I hope that helps.

 

[BCLoco]

Ok so for those following along in my saga....replaced the air filter...no improvement. Replaced fuel filter...no improvement. Replaced hydrostatic and hydraulic filters and drained and changed hyd transmission fluid....Success. My only problem now is trying get an accurate reading on the dipstick. I only put about 9 gals in but got about 10.25 gals out?? At 9 gals the level is midway between high and low on the stick. Going to have a couple of friends also ready the stick and see if they see the same thing...manual says it takes 11.8Gal...so little bewildered...but at least its working.

I change hydraulic fluid and filters every 200 hours. It's the "everything" fluid, so you might as well keep it clean.

Doing a full hydraulic fluid service--including draining the two brake sumps--mine still takes about a gallon less than the manual calls for.

General rule of thumb for all hydraulic systems (unless SI specifies otherwise) is to make sure your sump is not overfilled under any condition. So with the tractor level in both directions, hydraulic fluid at peak operating temperature, and all cylinders fully retracted (held fluid volume is lowest with rods fully inside the cylinder, obviously), and engine RPM just off idle (1000-1200 sort of range), you should see your highest sump fluid level reading. If you make sure you're not overfilled under those conditions, you shouldn't have any trouble. Again, service information trumps that advice, but if there is no specific procedure, that one will serve you well.

I know this is stating the obvious, but the fact that it was ran low of fluid to the point the pto clutch pack wouldn't engage does not bode well for future repair costs.

 

[Dan Caton]

I had that with my Kubota BX2380. The dealer found a bit of latex glove in the fuel take was blocking the fuel. I had a user-hostile fuel can that dribbled on me so I wore those disposable gloves. I guess a pinched off piece fell in.

 

[tassmannn]

Had a very similar issue with our John Deere 333G Skidsteer. We changed all filters, air filters, blew out all lines, and still had the issue. Once we isolated each line, we determined it was the primary fuel filter housing, but it had a new filter cartridge in it. I pulled the housing from the machine and found a small ball of crud inside it that would clog the hole headed to the pump and lose power when the fuel pressure increased. Cleaned housing and problem solved, but that was pretty strange how it got in there

 

[kneedeep]

I think the OP changed dirty air and fuel filters to solve his problem.
I service my tractors in the spring regardless of hours. Less than 100 hrs yearly on 2 tractors.

 

[Skystream]

Simple....fuel filter or debris plugging fuel port in tank.

 

[Todd727]

Does nobody read the entire thread before stating their expert analysis???

He clearly stated what fixed it on Saturday and it wasn't fuel filter for everyone that posted that as a solution since his post!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Does nobody read the entire thread before stating their expert analysis???

He clearly stated what fixed it on Saturday and it wasn't fuel filter for everyone that posted that as a solution since his post!

Yes he did. And the solution does not seem to match the power loss problem. Id sure like to see some expert analysis of that.

Ok so for those following along in my saga....replaced the air filter...no improvement. Replaced fuel filter...no improvement. Replaced hydrostatic and hydraulic filters and drained and changed hyd transmission fluid....Success. My only problem now is trying get an accurate reading on the dipstick. I only put about 9 gals in but got about 10.25 gals out?? At 9 gals the level is midway between high and low on the stick. Going to have a couple of friends also ready the stick and see if they see the same thing...manual says it takes 11.8Gal...so little bewildered...but at least its working.

 

[tassmannn]

I think the OP changed dirty air and fuel filters to solve his problem.
I service my tractors in the spring regardless of hours. Less than 100 hrs yearly on 2 tractors.

Good practice. We do the same

 

[Jbtrey]

2014 DK45 with a vineyard CIMA airblast sprayer on the 3 pt. Running at 2500 RPM which is the PTO at 540. Flat ground not seeing any issue, however going uphill in low gear at 2-3 mph and the tractor is fine but after about 100 feet going up a 10% slope the RPMs drop and the tractor slows and sounds like its really lugging. Stop forward motion and the RPM comes back up but as soon as I try to move forward the RPMs drop. Turn off the PTO and the RPMs come right back to full power and I can drive up the hill with no issues.

I am guessing it’s a hydraulic issue since this tractor model is a hydrostatic transmission so the hydraulic system is heavily used for everything. I don't think its a fuel issue but it could be the fuel filter...

2014 DK45 with a vineyard CIMA airblast sprayer on the 3 pt. Running at 2500 RPM which is the PTO at 540. Flat ground not seeing any issue, however going uphill in low gear at 2-3 mph and the tractor is fine but after about 100 feet going up a 10% slope the RPMs drop and the tractor slows and sounds like its really lugging. Stop forward motion and the RPM comes back up but as soon as I try to move forward the RPMs drop. Turn off the PTO and the RPMs come right back to full power and I can drive up the hill with no issues.

I am guessing its a hydraulic issue since this tractor model is a hydrostatic transmission so the hydraulic system is heavily used for everything. I don't think its a fuel issue but it could be the fuel filter...

 

[Jbtrey]

2014 DK45 with a vineyard CIMA airblast sprayer on the 3 pt. Running at 2500 RPM which is the PTO at 540. Flat ground not seeing any issue, however going uphill in low gear at 2-3 mph and the tractor is fine but after about 100 feet going up a 10% slope the RPMs drop and the tractor slows and sounds like its really lugging. Stop forward motion and the RPM comes back up but as soon as I try to move forward the RPMs drop. Turn off the PTO and the RPMs come right back to full power and I can drive up the hill with no issues.

I am guessing its a hydraulic issue since this tractor model is a hydrostatic transmission so the hydraulic system is heavily used for everything. I don't think its a fuel issue but it could be the fuel filter...

For what it’s worth, my Mahindra was doing exactly the same thing and I suspected fuel issues. After replacing both in-line fuel filters (no help) and researching all the hydraulic related possible problems, the dealer suggested checking the in-tank fuel strainer. It was not easy to get to but when I dropped it out it was covered in gel-like gunk and debris. Cleaned and reinserted, tractor runs like new…

 

[hunt4570]

Reading this with much interest and taking notes! My Kubota L3540 is doing the exact same thing, the strainer in the bottom of the tank was plugging up (best I could tell) finally

got a diesel transfer pump and “vacuumed” the tank(see pics) and it helped a bit. Still works full power on flat land or downhill but as soon as I go uphill RPMs drop way off!! Oh, this is pulling a mower. Driving me crazy!

 

[Big wheels are better]

2014 DK45 with a vineyard CIMA airblast sprayer on the 3 pt. Running at 2500 RPM which is the PTO at 540. Flat ground not seeing any issue, however going uphill in low gear at 2-3 mph and the tractor is fine but after about 100 feet going up a 10% slope the RPMs drop and the tractor slows and sounds like its really lugging. Stop forward motion and the RPM comes back up but as soon as I try to move forward the RPMs drop. Turn off the PTO and the RPMs come right back to full power and I can drive up the hill with no issues.

I am guessing its a hydraulic issue since this tractor model is a hydrostatic transmission so the hydraulic system is heavily used for everything. I don't think its a fuel issue but it could be the fuel filter...

My first thought is fuel delivery problem. I don’t think a hydrostatic trans would wait 100 feet to have a problem.

Do you have a tachometer? Is the rpm drop gradual over the 100 feet, or sudden at about 100 feet?

 

[Big wheels are better]

How long have you had this tractor and that sprayer hooked together?
Looking at those sprayers the smallest requires 25 PTO just for the sprayer, then add in the Hp required to move your tractor up that hill in addition to powering the sprayer.
Trying to maintain that 2-3 mph to keep the same sprayer coverage may require more tractor Hp then you have.

It may be a fuel problem or even an air flow restriction.

I doubt that it is a hydraulic problem, your tractor has a hydrostatic transmission which consists of a hydraulic pump and motor in a combined unit for ground work. Your PTO is strictly mechanical in power transmission, your hydrostatic transmission is separate from the PTO and the other tractor hydraulics.
The tractors hydraulic pump(s) supply hydraulics for cylinders and such and your 2 point hitch and power steering.

It is also the charge pump supply for your transmission, in other words it makes up fluid for what "leaks" from the pump/motor it does not power the tractor.

I agree about HP requirements. If the problem isn’t fuel delivery, I think it’s not enough HP.

 

[RandyHut]

I have a small Mahindra, the fuel filter supplied by Mahindra was way to small, it would suck itself up and starve the motor in a very short time, and show now particulate in it. i manufactured a manifold for a spin on fuel filter and mounted it on the opposite side in the same loc as the orig., removed the filter from the orig (now just a water catcher) and haven't had a problem since. change the spin on every year or so and it's been several years no issues.