Rake Hydraulic Harley Rake moving too slowly

[Charlesaf3]

any downside to taking that light out of the circuit? as in too much current to the solenoid burning it out or something? I realize this is probably a dumb question.

If no one thinks its dumb, I'll jump the light out tomorrow.

 

[Builder]

I think that in post #9 he said that he had tried another rake and had the same problems. I think that it is on the tractor end.

OK, thanks.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Make sure that you don't have another valve stuck open. Like on the hoe?thumb, 3pt or rear valve stuck. I had this happen on my B26 when thumb valve stuck open.

 

[Scooby074]

Try to go direct to the solenoid and see what happens. The loose wires / problems youve had with the light, would lead me to electrical issues first. You could measure your voltage directly at the solenoid and see what you got too.

Definitely look for any other open valves that could be splitting your flow as powerstroke suggests.

A flowgauge here would be a great tool for troubleshooting. Where you said that youve tried other hyd motors with the same issue, id be inclined to think its on the tractor side somewhere.

 

[Charlesaf3]

yeah, a flowgauge would be great, but having tried multiple attachments, I'll take them as a flow gauge - clearly my flow is down for some reason. Could be pressure I guess, and I ordered a gauge, but it doesn't seem likely considering how everything else is behaving.

Jiggled things to make sure valves weren't open - not sure what else I could do on that front. Hoe is off. I'll cycle all the remotes etc again just to make sure.

I definitely think its tractor side. Considering I messed with that light, I think that's the next step, though weird that a little lamp could end up being the problem with a solenoid... electronics still strike me as funny (though low voltage causing a problem does make sense).

No one thinks that taking the light out of the circuit could cause a problem?

 

[J_J]

Charles

On the solenoid light situation. If the light was used as an indicator that the solenoid had power, then it would have been wired across both leads. and that would be parallel with the solenoid. If it is wired in series, then I believe it is wired wrong. I have only seen a light used in series with something else, as a current limiting device. If a solenoid coil is designed for 12 v, then that is what it needs, no less, no more.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Make sure your 3pt is not all the way up and deadheading the pump. And check backhoe hose is plugged & that non of the lines under the tractor got crushed/pinched by something. best of luck

 

[dex3361]

So I guess I'll try switching out both QCs on the tractor side - one is female, one male.

The switch is wired through a light to the solenoid in series, so it acts a use indicator. I don't find it useful, but hey, not my design.

When I took apart the dashboard to fix the joystick I accidentally pulled the light apart. Though I taped it back together, (I had to wiggle it first to get the connection to work, so I'm sure its a poor one) I could well believe that there is still a problem there. What surprises me is that the problem is affecting the remotes - I sort of figured that it was binary, either it worked or not. Not so sure anymore

So could voltage drop cause a solenoid to only open partially? That would make sense in terms of whats happening. I hear the solenoid moving when I turn the electrics on, but motor is still off. The "click" seems weaker than before, but could be my imagination.

I have a really basic and spotty understanding of electronics - any downside to taking that light out of the circuit? Meaning does it need that resistance, or could I hurt something by pushing too much juice through the system otherwise?

The light should be wired in parallel not series, try taking the bulb out of the circut.

 

[J_J]

Try taking the solenoid apart and cleaning the plunger. See if you can make the plunger move freely, it may have some crud on the shaft.

Measure the voltage at the solenoid.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Its definitely wired in series - when the light was apart the solenoid wouldn't work, I jiggled the light together while pressing the button until I got movement on the solenoid, then taped the light tight in that position with electrical tape (this is what I did originally). Its possible that the parallel connection is in the little fixture though, as the light doesn't go on now but the solenoid still works at least partially.

I think todays project will be jumping out that light and seeing what happens. The solenoid is buried in a complex box that every hose in the tractor seems to hook up to, and is in an awkward place. I'm hoping I find the fix before disassembling that!

Powerstroke - good idea on the 3pt, Messicks told me to check that, I'd no idea it was a possibility. Haven't checked crimping, but its unlikely as I just replaced both of those hoses a few months back.

Thanks again for all the help and assistance.

What other things could it be if it is not the solenoid?