L345DT hyraulic problem

Jeff Poulson · Mar 29, 2015

I bought my first tractor it's a 1982 L345DT with a L1720 FEL. When I first bought it the hydraulics didnt work at all but I found that the discharge of the pump was plugged with black sludge after I put it back together 3 point started working but FEL still wouldn't work but the bucket would come up bout half way. I put a pressure gauge on the inlet of the FEL only had 400 psi I know that's low but I wanted to check the pump but I'm not sure how to hook up to the discharge without cutting the pipe which a new pipe is $1200 so I don't really want to screw it up. Can anybody help me?!!

rbargeron · Mar 30, 2015

Jeff Poulson said:
I bought my first tractor it's a 1982 L345DT with a L1720 FEL. When I first bought it the hydraulics didnt work at all but I found that the discharge of the pump was plugged with black sludge after I put it back together 3 point started working but FEL still wouldn't work but the bucket would come up bout half way. I put a pressure gauge on the inlet of the FEL only had 400 psi I know that's low but I wanted to check the pump but I'm not sure how to hook up to the discharge without cutting the pipe which a new pipe is $1200 so I don't really want to screw it up. Can anybody help me?!!

Does your L345 have two hydraulic systems? It may - the 1720 loader would have EITHER an external pump and tank system, or would be run from the tractor's internal hydraulics (left side under the seat). Whichever setup you have, contamination can kill hydraulic systems - if some was found in one place, its likely to be in several more places too so the first step should be to flush the system(s) and install new oil and filters. Then go from there.

paulharvey · Mar 30, 2015

Have you cleaned the filter screen? My L285 has a screen filter that you rinse with diesel and reuse. Maybe the 3 pt just uses so much less flow that it still works with a 80% clogged screen, but the much higher demand loader does? Possible air in lines?

Jeff Poulson · Mar 30, 2015

The hydraulics are off of the tractor hydraulics but I did clean the filter and drain the case and put new hyraulic fluid in. I really wanted to see if the hydraulic pump was puttin out enough to eliminate that. The shop manual said to disconnect the discharged of and hook up a control valve with gauge and see if the put will put out 1900 to 2100 if not the pump is bad. I just don't know how to hook up to the pump its a flange connection. But might try draining it again to see if screen is plugged

paulharvey · Mar 30, 2015

Jeff Poulson said:
The hydraulics are off of the tractor hydraulics but I did clean the filter and drain the case and put new hyraulic fluid in. I really wanted to see if the hydraulic pump was puttin out enough to eliminate that. The shop manual said to disconnect the discharged of and hook up a control valve with gauge and see if the put will put out 1900 to 2100 if not the pump is bad. I just don't know how to hook up to the pump its a flange connection. But might try draining it again to see if screen is plugged

When I drained mine and refilled, I ended up with air in the system, so I cracked open the "block" under the seat when hitting the starter button, blowing the air out of the lines. (Also got a fair bit of hydraulic oil everywhere). Your machine may differ, but it was a small rectangular steel block with a line attached to the front half and a line attached to the back half. I don't have a loader or auxiliary hydraulics, but this is where the pressure side would be supplied if I did. I think I had 2 10mm bolts holding the half together, and an O-ring sandwiched between. Your "block" probably has 3 pieces; front, and sandwiched middle with taps to loader, and rear going to 3 point.

If the 345 is much different then the 285, yours might be way diffrent