JD 2305 backhoe and rockshaft will not work

[marktur]

I bought a used 2305 last month that came with a front loader and backhoe. All worked great two weeks ago. Today I was clearing some land for about three hours with the FEL. I decided to dig out a stump but my backhoe would not work-- also I noticed that the rockshaft does not go up or down. I added some Hyguard and no change. I saw that I had the rockshaft control in the lift position- I do not remember putting it in that position-it could have been there since I bought it since I had a backhoe on it. In the manual it says that if you put the control in the lift position with the drop rate control closed you could damage the machine- no other explanation. My drop rate control was not fully closed. My 430 lever goes back into the float position when you use it for the TPL so it never occurred to me that JD would make their controls where you could damage the machine if it was not manually put into the neutral position. Any ideas what was damaged? The pump looks like it supplies both the FEL and the BH and TPH. Is there a sub system that gets damaged? Changing the seat position did not make a difference. I will switch this to parts and repair if this belongs there.

 

[kennyd]

I bought a used 2305 last month that came with a front loader and backhoe. All worked great two weeks ago. Today I was clearing some land for about three hours with the FEL. I decided to dig out a stump but my backhoe would not work-- also I noticed that the rockshaft does not go up or down. I added some Hyguard and no change. I saw that I had the rockshaft control in the lift position- I do not remember putting it in that position-it could have been there since I bought it since I had a backhoe on it. In the manual it says that if you put the control in the lift position with the drop rate control closed you could damage the machine- no other explanation. My drop rate control was not fully closed. My 430 lever goes back into the float position when you use it for the TPL so it never occurred to me that JD would make their controls where you could damage the machine if it was not manually put into the neutral position. Any ideas what was damaged? The pump looks like it supplies both the FEL and the BH and TPH. Is there a sub system that gets damaged? Changing the seat position did not make a difference. I will switch this to parts and repair if this belongs there.

Welcome to TBN

There is only one pump (not counting the hydrostatic tranny), it supplies the steering, loader, backhoe, and 3PH.

Before you do anything else, unplug the QD's (quick disconnects) on the hoses that feed the backhoe and then reconnect them. They can often get slightly unplugged and limit flow.

 

[marktur]

Ken-

That was what I was doing as you wrote me. Yup after I disconnected them I found that I could not fully seat the two for the hoe. I pulled all of the hoe levers to relieve the pressure until I could push in the dry break pin. Then they hooked up fine and now it works. I can only think that the past owner had the hoe off and when he connected the dry breaks he did not fully seat the ball bearings. It worked for two weeks until vibration separated them. Hard to believe with the much pressure they would have worked at all with the ball not fully seated to hold the connectors together. Thanks Ken- it was a good call. Until I disconnected them they looked fine.

 

[kennyd]

It is a common problem...And they always "look" fine. Just remember that the full flow of the hydraulic pump is going through those lines whenever the tractor is running, so you must ensure that the hoses are either connected together (if the backhoe is removed) or connected to the backhoe so as not to damage your pump.

 

[marktur]

Ken-

It is strange that these connectors could work for a short time when not correctly connected- as dry breaks I would have expected they would work only correctly connected up or they would make some sort of mess when they disconnected

Thanks for the instruction on the rear hoses. I missed that looking through the manuals so I am sure I would have not figured it out unless the rock shaft would not work without them being connected.

 

[C-Range]

While on the subject, I'd just like to mention that if you take the backhoe off of the machine and use the 3 point hitch arms, watch out for the position of the arm leveling adjuster (on the right arm). The piece of formed steel rod that is welded onto the adjuster for leverage will hit and disconnect one of the hydraulic couplers when you lift the arms, at least that happens to mine anyway. My solution is to just make sure the adjuster is positioned at an angle to keep that welded rod out of the way of the hydraulic coupler.

Congratulations on your choice of machines!

 

[etcallhome]

While on the subject, I'd just like to mention that if you take the backhoe off of the machine and use the 3 point hitch arms, watch out for the position of the arm leveling adjuster (on the right arm). The piece of formed steel rod that is welded onto the adjuster for leverage will hit and disconnect one of the hydraulic couplers when you lift the arms, at least that happens to mine anyway. My solution is to just make sure the adjuster is positioned at an angle to keep that welded rod out of the way of the hydraulic coupler.

Congratulations on your choice of machines!

Agree same thing has happened to me..Had tractor on a very steep angle to check under my mmm. After posting question here, someone said to check connection for BH (my wasn't on) sure enough it was just unsnapped enough not to let mmm lift.. Now I have a little note ,written with a Black Sharpie,on back fender to check this connection if mmm will not lift.

 

[marktur]

Thanks again for that tip. I will be taking off the BH next month to put on the Bush hog. I have not put the 3PH since I got the tractor so I will be sure to be careful about that adjustment.

 

[C-Range]

Ok, then, while on the subject of using a Bush Hog (or rotary mower), be sure to check and adjust the length of the PTO shaft so that it doesn't bottom out when you lift the deck. If the shaft is too long, it could damage the tractor.

When I bought my JD 413 Rotary Mower, I had to cut 1" off of the shaft to keep it from compressing against the tractor. Your rotary mower manual should instruct how to do it.

 

[ZettaDeere]

Thank you so much for this thread! I lost the day's work today because my 3 point hitch rockshaft stopped working right in the midst of my project - for no apparent reason. I was making plans to take it to the dealer until I came across the idea presented above to disconnect and reconnect the Power Beyound coupling. I knew the moment I looked at it that it was not completely seated. 5 seconds after reconnecting the coupler my problem was fixed!

Thanks!