JD 5400 3 point hitch slow

[Plasticfan]

Long time lurker here. Now I need some help. I知 a fair mechanic but know nothing about hydraulics. Bought a JD 5400 with 540 FEL. FEL works great, it will pick the front tires 2 ft off the ground. 3 point will not move until 2000 rpm and then comes up slowly. Once up it will stay there overnight. Previous owner says it started doing that after he installed the FEL.

What I致e done:
Cleaned suction filter
New JD Hygard fluid
Verified pipe plug is in the pressure port of rockshaft control valve.
Verified I have 2700psi to loader lift cylinder after I adjusted the pressure relief valve
Also noticed the PB sleeve has a hole clear through it, is that normal?

That痴 about the limit of my expertise. If anyone here can give me some more things to check it would be much appreciated.

TIA, Don

 

[JD5210]

Do not have an answer for you, but you might consider downloading the tech manual from selectmanuals.com for $29.95 and see, if that has any suggestions for you.

Here is a link to JD parts incase you do not have it.

John Deere - Parts Catalog

 

[hosspuller]

Have you checked the rockshaft linkage ? Try adjusting the rate of drop knob. It's behind the seat.

 

[Plasticfan]

hosspuller-- I've about wore out the threads playing with that thing but thanks for the tip.

 

[Plasticfan]

JD5210--I've got the owners and service manual and did a lot of searching in the parts book. This thing is kicking my butt. Thanks for the tip

 

[kthompson]

"Once up it will stay there overnight. Previous owner says it started doing that after he installed the FEL."

Think they did not get it plumbed properly or a valve is not adjusted correctly. Did he installed the plumbing for the fel? Think your issue is there.

 

[Plasticfan]

kthompson--Here is a pic of how it's plumbed

The top left connection is hooked to the PB valve on the spool valve
The top right connection is hooked to outlet on spool valve
The bottom connection (pressure) is hooked to inlet on spool valve.

I switched the two top hoses once and then the 3 point didn't move.

I'm getting suspicious of the spool valve. It doesn't look new and it has plenty of pressure but the 3 point does not. There is nothing between those two except a rubber hose. Does that make any sense?

Don

 

[oldnslo]

your Loader valve may require a special fitting or plug installed to make the power beyond port operational. Some valves require a special fitting with O-rings, if the internal O-ring is damaged or missing it could allow the oil to flow to tank Vs operating the 3 point.

Can you install a gauge in power beyond line to see what pressure is available while trying to raise the 3 point?

 

[Plasticfan]

your Loader valve may require a special fitting or plug installed to make the power beyond port operational. Some valves require a special fitting with O-rings, if the internal O-ring is damaged or missing it could allow the oil to flow to tank Vs operating the 3 point.

Can you install a gauge in power beyond line to see what pressure is available while trying to raise the 3 point?

My loader valve has the power beyond valve installed and the orings appear ok. The gauge in the power beyond line would be helpful. Do I just tee it in that line? If so I'll have to get some fittings in the am.
Thanks, Don

 

[oldnslo]

Yes just tee the gauge into the power beyond. Another on some valves is a gauge port in the pressure line or multiple pressure ports one of which can be used for a gauge. A gauge in this port would also work

 

[Plasticfan]

Yes just tee the gauge into the power beyond. Another on some valves is a gauge port in the pressure line or multiple pressure ports one of which can be used for a gauge. A gauge in this port would also work

OK I spent the morning running all over town looking for the right fittings and no one had them. I ordered a test kit off ebay and it should arrive Tues. As soon as I can get a pressure reading I'll post it here.
Thanks for everyone's help, Don

 

[Plasticfan]

In an effort to check the plumbing I ran a homemade test. In all these tests the loader valve remained in neutral initially and the 3 point lift lever remained in the up position.

I disconnected the line hooked up to the “IN” port on the loader valve, started the eng and oil blew out that hose forcefully. So that connection is correct.

I then disconnected the line hooked up to the Power Beyond Valve, started the eng and oil blew out the valve but not as forcefully as from the pump. So that kind of checks out.

I then disconnected the hose hooked up to the “OUT” port on the loader valve and started the eng. Nothing came out so I lifted the bucket, still nothing, then I lowered the bucket and oil shot out of the valve. This seems strange to me. I thought the fluid flowed from in to out constantly if the eng is running. Have I found something here or am I just seeing ghosts?

Thanks, Don

 

[oldnslo]

Without knowing what type of loader valve you have what you see is possibly correct.

In the neutral position oil should flow from P- in to power beyond so that function checks out. The flow should be the in to out in this situation.

Now depending on valve / spool type your lift spool can either direct the return flow from the lift cylinder to the curl cylinder or to out or tank port. So again what you are seeing is possibly correct.

I would agree from your test that the plumbing at the valve is correct.

 

[Leejohn]

All the unhooking test was it removing the hoses from the loader control valve ports?

 

[Plasticfan]

Yes, that's how I did it.

 

[Plasticfan]

Got my test equipment this am. Tested 3 circuits, IN port to ldr control, OUT port from ldr control and PB port from ldr control. Test conditions follow: Ldr control in neutral, Rockshaft lever all the way up and RPM at 700 except where noted.

Test 1-PB
0 psi at idle, 300 at 2k rpm, 0 psi with ldr holding front whls off grd about 1 foot.

Test 2-Outlet from ldr control
0 psi under all conditions

Test 3-Inlet to ldr control
0 psi until I starting lifting the frt wheels and then it goes to 1200, probably would go higher if I stalled it completely.

This makes me suspicious of the ldr control. The 3 point can't lift with no pressure. Is it time for a new one?

Thanks to everyone for their help, Don

 

[oldnslo]

The only time you should see pressure in the power beyond is when you are trying to lift something on the 3 point hitch. If the 3 point is not being commanded to move all of the flow should go directly to tank at low pressure.

With the gauge in power beyond port try lifting a load on the 3 point. If still little or no pressure then you will have to dig deeper. Could be the 3 point hitch valve assembly or possibly something in the loader valve.

I wouldn't condemn your loader valve yet.

 

[Plasticfan]

The only time you should see pressure in the power beyond is when you are trying to lift something on the 3 point hitch. If the 3 point is not being commanded to move all of the flow should go directly to tank at low pressure.

With the gauge in power beyond port try lifting a load on the 3 point. If still little or no pressure then you will have to dig deeper. Could be the 3 point hitch valve assembly or possibly something in the loader valve.

I wouldn't condemn your loader valve yet.

I forgot to mention I have a box blade (400 lbs) on the 3 point and the rockshaft lever is in the raise position.

 

[oldnslo]

What do you have for test equipment available? Can you install some type of restriction in the PB line to see if you can build pressure? Worst case plug that line and only run the tractor for a couple of minutes. With the line plugged and no loader function selected you should see system pressure. If no or low pressure the problem is in the loader valve. If system pressure then the problem is down stream in the 3 point hitch valve area.

 

[Plasticfan]

What do you have for test equipment available? Can you install some type of restriction in the PB line to see if you can build pressure? Worst case plug that line and only run the tractor for a couple of minutes. With the line plugged and no loader function selected you should see system pressure. If no or low pressure the problem is in the loader valve. If system pressure then the problem is down stream in the 3 point hitch valve area.

I capped the PB connection where it comes out of the loader valve and started the eng. It got to 2200 psi before I could shut it off. I guess that means it's the 3 point hitch valve. That's a $900 part. I guess that's why they call me lucky.