Ford 3910 Hydraulics fading after start up.

[britt2020]

The hydraulics on my 3910 will work perfectly when I start the tractor. I can raise the FEL all the way up and lower it all the way down, then immediately start raising it back up and it is noticeably slower. I can do this about 4-5 times, each time it gets slower with small jumping like surges until it will hardly move at all.

At any point I can kill the tractor, let it set for 5 seconds start it back up and the FEL will raise perfectly again, and then start to fade at the same rate. This is happening with my 3pt as well.

It has had a "re leveling" surge since I've owned it, but only does it when I have a heavy load on the 3pt.

I am pretty mechanical, so I will be able to put into practice any advise you guys may give and get back with you on the results.

Anything offered is very appreciated.

 

[3930dave]

A local guy had an old Ford Industrial down at my buddy's shop. The tractor owner had already changed a pump, and was having my buddy change the hand control valves. Most of the time the hydraulics worked OK, except when he had a heavy load (boat docks in this case) on the FEL - it would suddenly drop.

Turns out he had a gallon or 2 of water in his hydraulic sump. The only thing wrong with that Industrial was it needed a change of hydraulic fluid, and filter.

Unless your fluid/filter has been done lately (and you're certain that nobody has borrowed the tractor, and sunk it), I'd start with the hydraulic fluid.

Rgds, D.

 

[RickB]

Proper quantity of clean oil, and clean filters. Are you checking and filling the oil in the rear axle center section or the transmission? Do you understand that each is a separate reservoir, and the hydraulic system operates off the rear axle sump?

 

[britt2020]

Alright, the issue was solved by changing the fluid and filter. The fluid removed was pretty clean and there was just over 12 gallons of it. It was noticeably thinner than what I put back in it. I do have a leak and over the past year have been adding 303 along with other hydraulic fluids. It is clear to me now that using the correct fluid is key to having smooth, reliable hydraulics.

 

[3930dave]

Good to hear that was a fairly straight forward fix :thumbsup:.

Rgds, D.

 

[trmechapt]

I was going to say, when in doubt change the filter. When I was at the dealership years ago we had a new tractor come in with a clogged filter. That thing gave us and the factory rep fits before I stuck my hand down in the housing and felt the pump barely pulling my hand. A filter was all it needed. The factory rep had us change the pump before that and we were getting ready to change the hydraulic cylinder.