Hydraulic LIft Arms not Working

shawnca · May 14, 2013

I have a Massey Ferguson MF35 which I just used with a Box Blade this past weekend, or I should say my friend did. I started it back up today and when I tried to lift the Box Blade, it would not budge. I believe my friend was meddling with the Draft adjustment to which the original owner warned me that when he did the same he had a hard time finding the right combination to get function back out of it. I dropped the Box Blade, but at the moment, still can not get the lift arms to respond. The PTO should will turn when engage though. Any thoughts?

The kid · May 15, 2013

When you say he was "meddling with the draft adjustment". Can you be more specific. Upper rear link adjustment? Internal adjustment? Right side drivers adjustment levers? More detail and we should get you back going. -robert

6011Artist · May 16, 2013

On my TO35 I sometimes have to play with the controls to get it back functioning. I push both levers down and then raise the draft control half way or a little more, then pull the raise/lower lever and it seems to go back to working. I then adjust the draft control to get the proper speed/height, then leave it alone and use the raise/lower function.

I know that theory above isn't the correct way but thats what it takes to get me back working. Hope someone can explain it better to both of us.

shawnca · May 17, 2013

Thanks for replying The Kid. What I mean is he moved the draft setting (Right side drivers adjustment levers, as you put it). In other words he wanted to see what purposed it served. And again, the original owner said he did this once and it took a long time to get it to work again (Raise/Lower) as mentioned in 6011Artist's Post. Since posting this message, I really just let my common sense kick in a drew the conclusion that even if I find the right combination with levers...this couldn't be normal. After some more reading it would almost HAVE to be a linkage issue which has problem been an issue per-existing for no telling how long that has merely been avoided by using the "NEVER TOUCH THE DRAFT SETTING" approach. Regardless, I dropped it off at a shop, will have an answer today. Thank you so much for replying and for the purpose of your curiosity and for 6011Artist, I will post our findings and the final FIX.

shawnca · May 17, 2013

Thank you for replying 6011Artist. Yes, as you described the previous owner mentioned the same similar scenario and his final success on getting it to work again by accidentally using a unique combinations of Lever Positions, a Secret Orphan Annie Hand Shake, Some Chanting of a few words in Pig Latin, Left Pinky in the air and "Ta Da". Please read my reply to 6011Artist. As mentioned, when we find out for sure and what the fix is, I will post so you will know based upon your similar experience. Thanks

The kid · May 17, 2013

Get yourself a copy of the 135 Operators Manual. You can find them all day long (original) on eBay for under $25. It will also answer questions on oil weight and some routine adjustments needed. -kid

shawnca · May 20, 2013

6011Artist said:
On my TO35 I sometimes have to play with the controls to get it back functioning. I push both levers down and then raise the draft control half way or a little more, then pull the raise/lower lever and it seems to go back to working. I then adjust the draft control to get the proper speed/height, then leave it alone and use the raise/lower function.

I know that theory above isn't the correct way but thats what it takes to get me back working. Hope someone can explain it better to both of us.

The results are in. The Hydraulic Pump is shot. $1,300.00 Later it is working.