New PT-180 owner

[m5040]

For troubleshooting, is the throttle position 50% or more? Oil level in reservoir correct? Any oil leaks? Check tightness of hyd oil filter, if at all loose, bleed system.

 

[curtjeep]

For troubleshooting, is the throttle position 50% or more? Oil level in reservoir correct? Any oil leaks? Check tightness of hyd oil filter, if at all loose, bleed system.

Throttle position 50% or more? Not if there is resistance against tye wheels it will happen at like 10-15%.

Oil level in reservoir is correct.

No oil leaks. Will check filter today.

 

[curtjeep]

Filter is tight. Trying to figure out how to get the video uploaded.

 

[curtjeep]

YouTube

 

[curtjeep]

May 31, 2020 - YouTube

This is exactly what I. Talking about. The tractor won't push up over this little bump.

 

[curtjeep]

Could the tow valve be partially open? And whete is that located on the 180? I can't find my darn owners manual.

 

[MossRoad]

That sounds bad! I'd guess maybe the lovejoy connector between the engine and the tram pump is slipping under pressure. Since it happens in both directions, it's the tram pump, as my guess.

Stop using, contact Terry at PowerTrac, and show him that video.

 

[curtjeep]

Ok, thanks MR.

 

[m5040]

If it is the lovejoy then when it is slipping, all the hydraulics won't work at the same time. And you may get it to make the same noise just by deadheading a cylinder (ie curl the bucket back and hold it there) does it faintly squeal as usual, or chatter? If you deadhead the hydraulics when trying to move, does it make it worse? Just something to try if you want to risk it, the more info you give to Terry, the easier it will be for him to diagnose the problem.

The reason I ask these questions is that the pumps are all driven in a row, one is stacked or piggybacked to another, so the tram pump then drives the PTO hyd pump which then drives the hyd steering/lift system. Any slipping in the tram drive will simultaneously effect all the others. Please let us know what the outcome is.

 

[curtjeep]

Ok. Dead heading the loader doesn't seem to cause it. It appears to only be the tram pump. I haven't put anything pto driven on it yet because I didn't know what the problem is. I actually haven't used it really since it started because it is almost useless at this point. It will only move on almost flat ground. I also found a fuel leak at the connector on the bottom of the fuel tank that was dripping onto the top of the pump because the plastic fitting wasn't screwed all the way in. Also, the gas cap should be venting and it shouldn't be blowing up the fuel tank like a balloon, right?

 

[m5040]

I think if the gas tank was not vented, it would build a vacuum (maybe collapse the tank) when running, then starve for fuel and shut off. If left in sun, might burst. Since none of that happened, it is properly vented. Mine has a sicker down about 2-3" that indicates fill line. Even then it has stains around top fill.

 

[m5040]

What I was getting at with the stacked pumps was that when/if the lovejoy was slipping (when you hear the chatter) the loader would not work or work very slow. If the driveline chatter was occurring, the loader should be noticeably week.

That would confirm a bad pump drive (lovejoy).

 

[m5040]

When you attempt to drive, and it goes into the chatter inop mode, push the loader down and lift the tractor while chattering. If the loader lifts the tractor normally, but the drive is chattering, then it doesn't seem to me that it is the pump drive and you will need to look elsewhere.

Did you check the tow valve as someone mentioned? That is kind of important to do. That valve dumps hydraulic drive pressure.

 

[curtjeep]

I think if the gas tank was not vented, it would build a vacuum (maybe collapse the tank) when running, then starve for fuel and shut off. If left in sun, might burst. Since none of that happened, it is properly vented. Mine has a sicker down about 2-3" that indicates fill line. Even then it has stains around top fill.

Ok, just making sure.

 

[m5040]

I scanned a pic of the tow valve, but it came out as a PDF and shows a question mark. Maybe you can open it?

 

[woodlandfarms]

At first i thought it was the brake not fully releasing but i dont know what the 180 has for brakes. I now think It sounds like the pump is bypassing. The relief valve us going off too soon.

 

[curtjeep]

At first i thought it was the brake not fully releasing but i dont know what the 180 has for brakes. I now think It sounds like the pump is bypassing. The relief valve us going off too soon.

I just talked to Terry. He thinks it could be the same thing. He said to start by changing the hydraulic filter and let him know what it does.

 

[ponytug]

I am sorry that you are having troubles. I hope that it is a quick fix.

I would second the relief valve going off at too low of a pressure. Shuddering is exactly what you would expect from a spring loaded valve exceeding its pressure limit, venting, and then building pressure until it exceeds the limit again.

Let me preface the following by saying that I haven’t seen the 180 Lovejoy. In general, lovejoy connectors don’t usually slip. They are designed not to. There is a small rubber insert between the six “fingers” on the two sides of the lovejoy. To slip, you have to have the set screw on one or both halves loosen. If the set screw slips, then you pretty rapidly go from full power transmission to some power transmission to no power transmission as the set screw scores a ring around the shaft. This doesn’t seem to fit your issue.


I would look for a slipped lock ring on your pressure relief valve. To reset the relief valve, you will need a pressure gauge and some “tee” hardware to splice the gauge into the circuit to set the pressure accurately.

All the best,

Peter

 

[agjones]

+1 on the relief valve. I've had success getting an equipment rental place to check/set/change pressure relief settings when necessary. Also, Northern tool stores w shops will do it... But the queue can be long. Any place that works on dump trucks is equipped to check/set. Most small engine shop (imo) are not.

Also from recent experience, a failing spider (the rubber component of lovejoy) will make a horrible noise, but deliver full power...at least long enough to get on the truck.

 

[curtjeep]

Thanks gentlemen,

I replaced the filter and no bueno. I guess I will talk to Mr. Terry tomorrow and see what he says. Hopefully it will be an easy fix. BTW, I still love my PT.