Hydraulic mystery

mtjag · Mar 15, 2012

I have a 2008 Montana 2740. A few days ago while snow plowing with my bucket down, the pump started a shrilling sound that went away after I stopped and idled down the engine. Afterwards, I noticed that my bucket would move up and down, but it would not tilt the bucket. I left if a couple of days and tried it again yesterday and the same thing. All the hydraulics work except for the tilting of the bucket. Is this a valve problem or maybe the controller for the bucket, even though it lifts the bucket?

aczlan · Mar 15, 2012

Check the quick connects for the bucket tilt cylinders (take them off and put them back on). They can some just loose enough to not work properly.

Aaron Z

mtjag · Mar 15, 2012

Hey thanks much for the quick reply. I will go out and try that now.
Thanks again.

gengine · Mar 15, 2012

How'd it work? Also, check your fluid level. I had a leak from the tranny on my old massey, and didn't check the fluid for a couple days and got a similar sound from the pump.

Jerry/MT · Mar 15, 2012

mtjag said:
I have a 2008 Montana 2740. A few days ago while snow plowing with my bucket down, the pump started a shrilling sound that went away after I stopped and idled down the engine. Afterwards, I noticed that my bucket would move up and down, but it would not tilt the bucket. I left if a couple of days and tried it again yesterday and the same thing. All the hydraulics work except for the tilting of the bucket. Is this a valve problem or maybe the controller for the bucket, even though it lifts the bucket?

Pumps will squeal when they suck air. When is the last time you replaced the hydraulic filter? Also check the fluid level. if you have a mid-mount valve make sure it's connected correctly and all snugged down.

mtjag · Mar 15, 2012

Well I checked the discconnects, and checked the fluid level which was about two quarts low. Fill it up and the bucket will raise and lower, but not tilt or rotate....so I suppose it's the controller?

aczlan · Mar 15, 2012

mtjag said:
Well I checked the discconnects, and checked the fluid level which was about two quarts low. Fill it up and the bucket will raise and lower, but not tilt or rotate....so I suppose it's the controller?

Try switching the lift and tilt connections. That will allow you to verify that the tilt part works but the valve is bad.

Aaron Z

gengine · Mar 15, 2012

Hmmm interesting....
How is your FEL plumbed? Is it connected to a remote valve? Maybe two? If so, is your remote valve lever in the correct position? What happens when you try to dump/curl the bucket? Does the valve make any noise at all? Do the cylinders try to move? Running a little low on fluid should not hurt your valves. Are you sure there isn't anything keeping your bucket from moving, such as a wedged rock? This is a mystery...

J_J · Mar 15, 2012

Has anyone taken any pressure readings. Might provide a clue.

mtjag · Mar 15, 2012

aczlan said:
Try switching the lift and tilt connections. That will allow you to verify that the tilt part works but the valve is bad.

Aaron Z

OK, I switched the connections and the tilt controls lifted the bucket, but the lift controls didn't tilt the bucket. I switched them back and the it's the same as it was...lift works, tilt doesn't. That's really strange.