Help, MF 231 3point not lifting after repair

[oldbeagle]

MF 231 tractor

Tractor was put into the shop because the top link attachment point of the 3 point hitch (where it connects under the seat) was broken. You could try to screw it in and out, but nothing would happen and it would rattle when moving it around. Before this repair, the lift arms worked normally.
After tractor got out of the shop, I hooked up an implement and tried to lift it, but would only go up about 5 inches, no matter what the position of the levers are in. The lift arms basically have no strength. Fluid level is normal.

Tractor has been the shop for two weeks now and the mechanic cannot figure it out (!) Claims they don't have a manual for this series of tractor for reference. Is it really that different from other MF models?

How can I troubleshoot this or what can I tell that useless mechanic what to look for?

 

[Agvg]

From Google pics this seems lika a classic massey, the pipe from the pump up to the cover er is a classical suspect, very easy to not get it in the right position when assembling the top cover. Are they MF mechanics?

 

[seville009]

do the arms go all the way up with nothing attached?

 

[oldbeagle]

do the arms go all the way up with nothing attached?

Yes, they go up and then drop rather quickly. I hooked up some pallet forks and the tractor could lift them by itself. when I tried to lift a pallet of rocks, it was unable to do so. When I pulled forward to clear the pallet, the forks raised.

I noticed when I tried raising them with no load, they would shudder going up and the top attachment point (draft control link? It was recently replaced) was shuddering rather badly. I have no idea what that means.

 

[Tinhack]

They probably cut the O-ring when reinstalling the piston. Or left out the O-ring backer. Or even put them in backwards That shudder is most likely high pressure fluid blowing past the piston O-ring. I hope you didn't pay anything for this "repair".

 

[seville009]

check your hydraulic fluid level to make sure that it痴 full.

i had a shudder one time with a bucket that turned out to be caused by a low fluid level. Hopefully it痴 that simple for your issues.

edit: i reread your post and see you say that it痴 full. maybe just double check.