Ferguson Hydraulics

Dave_Lilly · Nov 10, 2005

I have a Ferguson TO-30. The hydraulics will raise a bushhog or a grader blade very quickly. When I try to lower the implement, as soon as the lowering lever is moved an inch or two from the uppermost position, the implement goes all the way down. Also, if I have the implement in the transport position and depress the clutch, the implement will lower itself while the lever is full up. Is there an adjustment for this or do I have an internal problem.
Thanks

Farmwithjunk · Nov 10, 2005

Sounds like a tired pump. That tractor ISN'T live hydraulics. That means the lift is non-functioning when the clutch is pushed in.

There's a tractor repair shop in town in Lanesville that'll take care of your troubles. I can't recall the owners name, but he's good with Ferguson lifts. Not far from the old feed mill that was turned in to a restaraunt.

chuck1975 · Nov 10, 2005

Dave if you can wait a day or so I'll check with by sister, she has the TO 30. I got the 35. Great machines (mines' bigger and better /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif). They have a small farm just south of Lafayette, IN. She's had some work done on it in the past. I'll check and get a company name and number for you if you want. I'm assuming your not far from Indy, correct.
chuck

jinman · Nov 11, 2005

( I have a Ferguson TO-30. The hydraulics will raise a bushhog or a grader blade very quickly. When I try to lower the implement, as soon as the lowering lever is moved an inch or two from the uppermost position, the implement goes all the way down. Also, if I have the implement in the transport position and depress the clutch, the implement will lower itself while the lever is full up. Is there an adjustment for this or do I have an internal problem.
Thanks )

The lift suddenly going all the way down with just a little movement sounds like your hydraulics are in draft control instead of position control. I'm not sure about the Ferguson, but Fords have a selection lever on the side of the casing under the seat to select position/draft control. You might look for something similar on your Ferguson.

The leak-down when you step on the clutch is an internal leak. Since you don't have live hydraulics, when you step on the clutch, the hydraulic pump quits pumping and the implement drops. When the clutch is out, there is enough fluid being pumped that you don't notice the leak.

beenthere · Nov 11, 2005

jinman
You have hit upon the two problems, IMO.

The TO-30 only has draft control (at least on the one I used to have). No switch lever to go from one to the other. I worked hard to figure out what was wrong with mine until I finally realized that there was no position feedback linkage from the position of the rocker arms (and lift arms) back to the valve control linkage.
I think you are also right on the leak down, but I'm wondering if there isn't possibly just a stuck valve in the pump.

jinman · Nov 11, 2005

( The TO-30 only has draft control (at least on the one I used to have). )

That surprises me. I'm not a Ferguson expert, but my father had a TO-20 and I grew up using (abusing) that tractor. It definitely had position control. I didn't realize that was optional on the Fergusons. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

chuck1975 · Nov 11, 2005

Jinman, the TO 20 that we had did not have draft control. It was used for culvators or drag. While the TO 35 definetly does and it was used for plowing and heavier work. Both were great machines to grow up on. Before my folks passed I had the 35 totally rebuilt, found that the enginge had a hair line crack between the cylinders so we replaced the block and all new guts. Mom was surprised, (I'll never forgeet her look when I brought it home) that my wife and I invested the money to rebuild her Dads' tractor. I told her it was worth every penny to have the tractor that my Grandfather bought new. Gave to my mom and dad and now I have it so you can't put a price on it. Way to many memories. Love to here about others having the same experiences on these great tractors. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
chuck
tc 40 da /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif new work horse; sold NH 1920
TO35 retired (but I should be using it some)
DC 1948 (year) Case soon to be restored

beenthere · Nov 11, 2005

There may have been some options, where some tractors had the position control like the 8N Ford. But I know my TO-30 didn't have it (I had it apart and figured just something was missing or a linkage had broken). That is the only thing I really didn't like about that tractor. (Oh yeah, the left brake on the left side by the clutch pedal was a bummer too /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif).

I believe there were some big squabbles going on between Ford and Ferguson as they split, and some legal things as to what Ferguson could use and what he couldn't. Don't recall the details, but some interesting legal battles going on for some time there.

jinman · Nov 11, 2005

( I believe there were some big squabbles going on between Ford and Ferguson as they split, and some legal things as to what Ferguson could use and what he couldn't. Don't recall the details, but some interesting legal battles going on for some time there. )

Yep! Harry Ferguson designed the 3PH system and the hydraulics for the Ns. He and Henry Ford had a famous "handshake agreement" that was honored until Henry turned the business over to his son (Edsel, I think). Anyway, all N-type Fords used to have an emblem on the front that said "Ferguson System." Ford dropped that on the 8N and quit paying royalties to Ferguson. Harry Ferguson sued and won in 1952 and Ford had to stop making the 8N.

As a result of the 8N lawsuit, Ford had to quit putting the hydraulic pump inline with the drivetrain and change the way the 3PH position and draft control sensing worked. That's the reason Ford came out with the 1953 Golden Jubilee. It had an overhead valve engine, a hydraulic pump mounted on the engine (giving it live hydraulics), and slightly bigger size.

Ferguson "answered" Fords new tractor with the Ferguson TO-20, and the companies have been separate ever since. If you ever look at a Ferguson TO-20's engine and the Ford Jubilee, they look similar, but on the Ferguson, the distibutor and spark plugs are on the left side of the engine and the carburetor and exhaust manifold on the right side. The Jubilee is just the opposite. My dad always used to say Ferguson did that so the Ford people couldn't use their "superior" parts. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I don't know if that's true, but it makes a good story anyhow. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ptfarmermd · Nov 11, 2005

I have a Ferguson TO-20, so one size smaller than yours. My Ferguson does not have position control. When you pull the 3PH lever up, it goes up, and if you push it down, it goes down. There is not a place to put it where the 3PH will stay there. The 3PH either goes up or down, but more slowly if it is near the center point of the lever position.
My Ferguson also has the leak down problem, although it is a very slow leak. If I press down on the clutch momentarily, I do not notice any leak down. Of course the PTO is not live or independent, so the PTO stops. However, if I raise the 3PH with an implement on it, then turn off of the PTO for say 10 to 15 minutes, the implement is on the ground. This occurs if the tractor is turned off also. It could be age and need of repair.
My new tractor has taken its place and I hope to sell the Ferguson soon.