Problem with hydraulics

[babzog]

Hey folks

Tractor is a Massey Ferguson MF1533.

The other day, I was cleaning up some dead trees and such. I was approaching a brush pile with a load to add and seemed to have run into a branch that pinched the oil return hose from the power steering motor. Oil was gushing everywhere! I managed to get it out and parked on the laneway.

Today, I removed the little clamp that was pinching the rubber hose and refilled the tranny/hydraulic oil. Started up the tractor and I have no hydraulics at all. No steering, rear arms won't lift, loader is dead. There is no leak after the tractor is started.

The hydraulics were working when I stopped so I'm hoping the pump isn't shot and the problem is something simple.

Do the pumps on these tractors need to be primed? Any troubleshooting steps I can check out?

Cheers!

 

[J_J]

Yes, some hyd pumps need to be primed, and you can do this by using an air hose with a rag around it in the filler opening of the tank/reservoir. With the tractor in idle, apply air for several minutes, and then check if any hyd are working. If you have a pressure gage you can see when there is pressure.

To bleed any air out of the cyl, just run them through several cycles.

 

[babzog]

That procedure is true of the MF 1533 tractor as well? To do that, I'd have to somehow get the tractor from where it's parked to where I access my air comp. No steering and no hydraulics means the loader is on the ground and the tractor is only to head into a ditch.

 

[J_J]

Maybe a portable air tank.

It might be possible to pinch off the suction and remove the pressure hose and slowly fill the pump.

 

[babzog]

Tried that this AM with a small air tank. Let it idle for several minutes then tried the air tank trick twice... nothing.

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Take your side covers off and squat down alongside the right side of the engine.
Do you see the Hyd pump?
Actually it is two pumps in one.
Notice a block on the upper left with a cap staring you in the face; this is the bleeder screw for the hydraulics.
The one on your right is for the steering.

1) Check the hyd fluid and add if necessary.

2)Grab a rag. Loosen the bleed screw slightly. DO NOT REMOVE!
Start the engine for about 15 seconds or until escaping air bubbles are no longer visable at bleed screw.

3) Stop the engine, tighten bleed screw, clean up mess.

4) Start engine, run at idle operating steering and hydraulics.

5) Repeat if necessary.

6) Replenish oil.

Have fun and BE CAREFUL!

 

[babzog]

Hi Harry,

Just got back from town so I will try your procedure tomorrow after work when I can see... thank you.

Cheers!

 

[babzog]

Tried that last night. Saw what I believe to be the bleeders (attached pic). I loosened the one on the left, started the tractor, saw some little bubbles escape (no real mess), shut her down, tightened, restarted and still nothing.

 

[schoolsout]

I'll be paying attention to this one as we just ripped the hyd/trans filter off Sunday...tractor is stuck in the woods at the moment.

Not to hijack this thread, but what is the best way to raise the FEL so the tractor can be moved? I'm thinking a jack and then tie off to grill guard?

 

[davo727]

I would jack it up and use a peice of pipe cut in half lengthwise that will fit over one of the actuator shafts to hold it up. Tie the pipe to the shaft so it cant fall out.

I'll be paying attention to this one as we just ripped the hyd/trans filter off Sunday...tractor is stuck in the woods at the moment.

Not to hijack this thread, but what is the best way to raise the FEL so the tractor can be moved? I'm thinking a jack and then tie off to grill guard?

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Tried that last night. Saw what I believe to be the bleeders (attached pic). I loosened the one on the left, started the tractor, saw some little bubbles escape (no real mess), shut her down, tightened, restarted and still nothing.

View attachment 233902

Repeat, until no bubbles. one side at a time.
OR, pay the dealership to do the same. :confused2:

 

[babzog]

Should I just let it run with the bleeder open until I get some movement in the hydraulics?

Edit: I let it run this AM for about 5 mins till I noticed the pump was starting to feel warm, then I shut it down. Nothing. Starting to feel nervous now.

 

[High Brook Hills]

I am not an expert but these systems hold ALOT of fluid. You might need to repeat this several times over while keeping a close eye on the fluid level.

Are you sure you patched/replaced the hose that had the hole in it? This could be leaking air back into the system.

 

[babzog]

The dealer never called back (after several calls) so I called another outfit who came out the next day. The line that I'd pinched was unserviceable (probably split, though I didn't detect a split when I was feeling around.... which only means I missed it) and was probably leaking air as you suggest. They rigged a temp hose till a new one can be ordered and called to let me know she was running again.

I only worry that I might have screwed my pump with the dry running.