Farm Pro 2430 Hydraulics

[ezslim]

Hello All,
I have watched the forum for two years now and have added 185 hours to my FP 2430 in that time. Aside from the standard complaints, the tractor has served our 128 acre farm well. The one thing I cannot figure out, though, is how to use the onboard hydraulics to operate a hydraulic cylinder on an implement. The operator's manual is not easy to read and I would really like to connect the rear hydraulics properly. Any step-by-step instructions on how to raise and lower a drawn implement using the hydralic output on the rear of the tractor?

 

[RonMar]

I am assuming you have a single female hydraulic quick connection at the rear of the tractor?

If so, that fitting was designed to operate a single acting hydraulic cylinder on a dump trailer.

That fitting sees the same pressure that the 3PH lift cylinder sees. If you want to send ALL the hydraulic flow to that quick connect fitting, then you close(turn fully clockwise) the 3PH hydraulic speed regulating valve/knob located in front of the seat. This prevents fluid from entering and lifting the 3PH lift cylinder and directs all the fluid to the quick connect port when the 3PH control lever is placed in the "Raise" position.

The weight of the dump trailer(just as the weight of the 3PH impliment) forces the fluid back into the tractor through the same quick connect fitting when the 3PH lever is placed in the "Lower/Float" position.

A word of caution: I had an issue with the hydraulic relief valve located back in the 3PH control valve. This valve is designed to protect the system incase that speed regulating valve is closed all the way with nothing attached to that quick connection and to protect the 3PH cylinder and lift mechanism from an overload condition on the 3PH such as bouncing a heavy impliment. Mine came set from the factory in excess of 3000 PSI.

You can easilly check the pressure this relief valve is set at with a quick connect fitting with a 0-5000 PSI pressure gauge attached to it. My tractor came with a spare male fitting and a liquid filled hydraulic gauge cost me around $11. Connect the gauge to the rear quick connect and close the speed regulating knob. The highest pressure you should be able to see at that rear port under any engine RPM is 1800-2000 PSI. Any more than that can cause damage to other components in the system or the pump itself. My high pressure problem damaged the "O" rings in my loader valve.

You can also use this gauge and connection to monitor how much load the 3PH hydraulics are under when a 3PH impliment is raised in the air.

If you are trying to operate something other than a single acting cylinder using the rear hydraulic fitting, you will most likley require some additional plumbing(return line) to be installed.

 

[ezslim]

Thanks Ron,

I appreciate your advice. I currently have two lines on the rear of the tractor. One is the standard fitting that came with the tractor, and the other is a two-way coupler I added to the end of the bent drain pipe on the left side (as a return line). I have not had any luck with any combination of levers, flow-control, or hose swapping. Admittedly, I am used to bigger tractors that have seperate circuits plumbed for such things, so I am at a disadvantage. I'll let you know if I can get anything to work. Thanks again,

Slim