Ferguson F40 weak (sometimes) 3 pt Lift

[Texwing]

Hi I have a Massey F40 that I recently wound up with, and it does really pretty good except for the 3 pt. I have read lots of info on this issue, but with mine, when i first crank the tractor up, the 3pt does pretty good and will pick up a 5 ft shredder. But quickly, long before the tranny fluid gets hot, it will get weak. Occasionally, and randomly, it will gain lifting power, but it won't last. I sprayed weed killer with it last week, and only at higher rpm would it lift the tank and sprayer, a 350 lb load.

I have not changed the tranny fluid because it looked really good, and was clear. But I have no idea what it is, it came with the tractor. Questions is, is there much chance a fluid change will bring it back to life? Or is it time to operate?
thanks in advance.

 

[The kid]

Sounds like you inherited someone else's problems. If the hydro fluid looks clear it may have been changed before sale to improve an existing problem. Could be seals in the pump going bad or possible a dirty hydro pump filter. Do a search here for changing the hydraulic pump filter. It's been discussed many times with good info. -kid

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[SIMassey]

I would get a 3000 psi hydraulic gage and hook it up to a port in the hydraulic circuit and monitor the pressures at startup, and when you start having lifting problems. This should tell if its the pump or the lift cylinder rings or possibly the valve. I am not familiar with the F40, I have no idea of the standard pump pressure and cannot find it in the online parts books. Take some pictures of the lift cover from the front and rear so we can give you better direction.

 

[Texwing]

Sounds like you inherited someone else's problems. If the hydro fluid looks clear it may have been changed before sale to improve an existing problem. Could be seals in the pump going bad or possible a dirty hydro pump filter. Do a search here for changing the hydraulic pump filter. It's been discussed many times with good info. -kid



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I looked in the manual, an original service manual, and saw so filter, but i may have missed it, I will search the forum tonight, thanks!
a plugged filter would be a good find...

 

[Texwing]

I would get a 3000 psi hydraulic gage and hook it up to a port in the hydraulic circuit and monitor the pressures at startup, and when you start having lifting problems. This should tell if its the pump or the lift cylinder rings or possibly the valve. I am not familiar with the F40, I have no idea of the standard pump pressure and cannot find it in the online parts books. Take some pictures of the lift cover from the front and rear so we can give you better direction.

OK will try t take some pics, it does have a diverter valve installed, but unused, and the draft control has been in the full down position.
The f40 is around a 1957 vintage and similar to a MH 50 and other masseys using the z134 engine, i think, it was mostly a marketing exercise-as I understand it.

 

[The kid]

The pump filter is located on the pump itself. It's more of a fine strainer. Resellers have been known to change the hydro oil in tractors for cosmetic reasons but not invest in the time to change/clean the filter which could be caked with congealed oil and slow hydro flow. I'm not saying this is the case here but worth looking at. You will need to drain a few gallons on oil and then remove the side cover to access the filter. The oil level is slightly above the cover lower rim is why you remove a few gallons. Total oil is close to eight gallons. Reservoir is shared with tranny and hydro. It can't hurt to check inside to see if it is clean to the bottom. The filter doesn't sit on the bottom but close enough to pickup sludge from contaminated oil. Once you have removed the cover you can either use your bare hand or with glove to rub the bottom to see if there is any sludge. If there is sludge, the reservoir needs drained and flushed with diesel to clean it out. You remove the left hand (sitting on tractor) cover with the pto engage lever. Have another gasket for the cover if needed. There is many references here where members changed/cleaned their filter to help get an idea of what needs to be done. -kid

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[SIMassey]

OK will try t take some pics, it does have a diverter valve installed, but unused, and the draft control has been in the full down position.
The f40 is around a 1957 vintage and similar to a MH 50 and other masseys using the z134 engine, i think, it was mostly a marketing exercise-as I understand it.

I saw some information on another web site that the F40 and MH50 are similar as you have stated. On agcopartsbooks.com, I looked at the lift pump for the MH50 and it had a listing for both pump with filter screen and pump without filter screen. The only way to find out for sure at this point is what Kid said and drain off some fluid and pull the pto cover and look. When lifting the three point using the position lever, the draft lever should be all the way back as well. hope its something simple. If you find a filter screen, post back, there are some things you need to know before pulling it out.

 

[SIMassey]

Here is a great picture of a 135 with the lift cover removed. A big thanks goes out to termyte14 for the excellent picture. Pto lever and cover on the right, round item lower and to the left is the filter. An F40 should look similar.

 

[pete59]

Hello , there is no filter on that old of a ferguson I have a 1958 MF 65 AND there is no filter on mine either.Hope this helps you.

 

[Texwing]

Gee I am not sure what happened to my last post. Should I be trying to operate the lift with the Draft control in the "down' position, or the pointed up position? I have only mostly tried it in the down, forward position.