Hydrologic help

L_Nicholson · Jul 15, 2008

Since Im new at this I figured I would pick some brains before I start digging into my hydraulic problem.

I have a 1998 JD 4400 Hydro with 330 hrs on it. I was recently driving tee posts in with the FEL and the next day noticed the FEL was performing at about half the speed and strength. Ive checked the fluid level and that seems to be ok and next I was going to check the screen but wanted to see what else it might be.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Lee

Willl · Jul 15, 2008

Remove and reconnect all 4 of your FEL quick-disconnects.

L_Nicholson · Jul 16, 2008

Thanks! I'll give it a try!

kennyd · Jul 16, 2008

Lee, can you tell us exactly how you were "driving tee posts in with the FEL" It might give us a clue to help you...

L_Nicholson · Jul 16, 2008

I tried to unplug and plug the disconnects today and noticed the other hydraulic motions improved..... dumping / curling the bucket seems normal and the 3pt hitch and the belly mower would all move about the way they should but the up motion still has a problem.

I was driving tee posts by pushing them about 3 inches in the ground (by hand) then taking the FEL and placing the edge of the bucket on the post and pushing down the loader. The ground wasn't real dry so they seem to slide in fairly easy. I've been doing this all season long and have driven about 60 posts this way.

flyngti · Jul 16, 2008

L_Nicholson said:
I was driving tee posts by pushing them about 3 inches in the ground (by hand) then taking the FEL and placing the edge of the bucket on the post and pushing down the loader. The ground wasn't real dry so they seem to slide in fairly easy. I've been doing this all season long and have driven about 60 posts this way.

Whew! I had visions of you using the FEL like a pile driver -- repeatedly slamming up and down on the post. Thanks for the clarification.

L_Nicholson · Jul 16, 2008

lol.... no...no..no.....

Nice and easy!

prosperity · Jul 16, 2008

A good possibility is that the insides of one of the hydraulic quick couplers went bad.
I had a similar problem about a month ago.

You can narrow down which one is bad by seeing which function is slow (raise or lower), then trace your lines.

The quick coupler half that is attached to the tractor is the one you are looking for - there is a ball/spring/seal in there, and the spring can go bad and make the ball restrict the oil flow.