New Holland T1530 (TC30) w/hydrostatic trans

[SpecialED]

Good evening folks!

I am trying to pick you brains on what could be causing my tractor to bog down/have quite a lack of power. I have already replace the fuel filter and bleed the lines. Whenever I go to take off in first gear it a bogs down to the point I have to let off of the gas and slowly creep the pedal to get her moving. Once I'm moving and get up to what I would say 1/3 of the speed I should be, it bogs down again.

This started happening about 6 months ago but would come and go, I just can't figure out the cause of it.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your time! I'm getting quite nervous, it would be my luck that this nor-easter that is headed this way dumps a foot of snow and I have nothing to clear it with??.such is life! hahaha!

 

[Halftrack]

I have more questions than answers. From what you are describing and our winter weather, I would lean towards fuel gelling, but you stated it started 6 months ago. When this occurs, is the tractor fully warmed up or not, does the engine lose power or is it being bogged down by the transmission? Does it recover after a period of time or remain weak. If I were to take a shot in the semi-dark, I would suggest a blockage in the fuel line or the tank. You could take the fuel filter off again and open the valve to check for a decent flow from the tank. You could have something in the tank rolling around causing a partial blockage. I had a similar situation with my previous tractor and after draining the tank into a pan, found out there was gasoline in the diesel fuel, which I had bought at at truck stop. That tractor ran fine until it warmed up and then would barely run. Hopefully some of this will help.

 

[SpecialED]

Thanks for the replay Halftrack! This has been happening on and off for about 6 months (summer and winter). In 1st gear (hydrostatic tran) on level ground, it acts as if you were in 3rd gear trying to go up a hill....does that make sense? This happens when it's cold and after it has warmed up for 15-20 mins. I was planning to stop by the New Holland dealer today to get a inner and outer air filter, go home, drain the tank and check for good flow. I will them put fresh fuel, I might even try to add a additive/booster. I would love to find out there was just water/blockage or gas in the fuel.

 

[rsallen]

Have you checked the hydro filters? The fluid level?
Your three point hydraulics aren't dead heading in the top position are they? That'll draw all kinds of power away from the hydro pump and drag the engine down quite bit.

 

[SpecialED]

rsallen, thanks for the reply. I haven't checked my hydro filters, I might as well change those while I am at it to. The tractor sits in the same spot and I haven't seen any spots, so I don't think its leaking. I will check my level when I get home.

 

[rsallen]

When you change or remove them dump them into a clean pan so you can visually inspect what comes out.

 

[SpecialED]

Ok, so went home and replaced both air filters and dumped the old diesel. The diesel looked fine, but I still replaced it. The tractor is still running a little sluggish. I would say its about 80% as far as power goes. I was able to drag the 6' blade down the driveway to see what it was like under load. Again, it pulled it but didn't feel like the tractor was giving all that it had.

Next step will be the hydro filters and fluid.


Thanks again for all your help! This site is very helpful!

 

[brewdog]

I had an older 1520 that did that once. It was my fault. When I changed the fuel filter, I failed to open the shutoff valve fully thus starving the engine for fuel. Once I had it fully opened, off it went. It would idle great, but ran sluggish under any kind of load. I cracked the lines and bled them just like you did. All it needed was full flow from the shut off valve.