TC40A Hydraulics...what's wrong? With video...

astater · Sep 15, 2016

Alright fellas...I'm back with another rookie question, or maybe not. I've had my TC40A for about 3-4 weeks and the hydraulics have been fine until this morning. Started her up this morning and the bucket didn't want to come up very fast at all but made it up. Then the 3pt did the same thing but both functioned. I thought maybe it was just cold or something. Ran the bush hog for about 40 minutes and then the PTO started to go in and out. Seemed to get bogged down. I'd clutch and lift it and it would start back up again but not immediately as if it were really bogged down on grass...About this same time the bucket really started struggling to move at all. Same with 3pt. I took a video of the bucket in "action". Once I activate the joystick to lift the bucket, I don't let off and you can see what happens. Dealer said it's probably low fluid or a clogged filter. Changing the filter tomorrow but the fluid is full and clean. Take a close listen to the hydraulics in the video. I'd describe it as a metallic rattling sound? What's wrong with my tractor?

displacedPA · Sep 16, 2016

Sorry about your problems with you tractor. Its a sinking feeling to buy a piece of equipment and then start having trouble with it.
I would change the filter for sure like you stated. Also be sure to prime the filter by filling it with fluid before installing. There is a sump screen located inline with the large hydraulic filter but, it is inside the rear case you would have to drain all fluid to check it. From what Ive read it is not very likely this would clog. The fact that three point, loader and PTO were going in and out would point me to a main hydraulic problem. I wouldn't want to run the tractor long until I found out the pump was getting fluid to it. I would guess the meatlic noise you hearing it the lack of fluid and maybe air is being ingested into the lines. If you crawl under your tractor follow the large metal lines going to your large hydraulic filter there is a Big rubber T connection there make sure its not damaged and is snug. Keep it simple you maybe find a simple answer.

super55 · Sep 16, 2016

First off thanks for posting the vid. It helps a ton when you can actually see the what is going on.

I'm no expert on hydraulics so hopefully somebody with more expertise will chime in. To me it is almost acting like the pressure relief valve is stuck open and losing pressure. If you run the loader like in a quick jerk and then release and repeat it. You'll probably get a quick jump than stop instead of the pulsing movement you got right now and "bounce" the loader up with what little residual pressure is available.

It's possible something is keeping the detent on the Pressure relief valve from closing completely like some metal shavings, dirt or other crud. I would definitely at least investigate the relief valve if the filters don't work before heading on to the pump. Usually these valves can be disassembled but I'm not familiar with the one on NH so don't quote me on that.

STx · Sep 16, 2016

Are you getting any air in your fluid? Check the dipstick after the tractor has been running and when you're having problems to see if it looks aerated.

I just spent a LOT of time and money fixing some hydraulic problems with mine about 3 months ago so I've got a pretty good understanding of the system now. That video looks exactly like the problem I was having. In my case, it was sucking air through the intake line right before the motor. Leaks on the suction side are hard to find. The guys that finally fixed mine found it by pressurizing the sump to force fluid out of the crack.