Deere 300X loader - Won't Lift Front End

[D C]

Deere 300X loader - Won't Lift Front Tires off Ground

Deere 4210 with 300x loader
Purchased recently, my first tractor w/loader. Under 500 hours on the machine.

Haven't been able to lift the front end off the ground, no matter the bucket position. Figured maybe loaders just don't have the downforce I would expect. Ok, whatever. Haven't really needed the bucket this summer anyhow, so it's been off most of the time.

Yesterday, I was hooking the bucket back up to switch from mowing mode to winter-mode.
While the bucket was loading itself back on, with the engine just off idle, the loader lifted the front end. Huh, I guess it can do that.
So I backed up a bit, increased throttle and tried again. Nothing.
Loader hits the ground and more pressure/more stick does nothing. I'm going gradually, definitely staying out of float. :confused3:

How do I diagnose this? My first thought was to switch the loader hoses to reverse bucket-tilt and loader on the stick, so I can see if it's possibly in one part of the valve or not. After that??

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Tx Jim]

When trying to raise frt axle off the ground is trans in "neutral" & brakes released?

 

[KennyG]

Smaller tractor, but mine will raise the machine with curl function, but not lower function.

 

[D C]

When trying to raise frt axle off the ground is trans in "neutral" & brakes released?

Hydrostatic and not moving, so as neutral as possible. Brakes released as well.

 

[Deere Dude]

Put the bucket down and then curl if forward, see if that does anything.

 

[D C]

Put the bucket down and then curl if forward, see if that does anything.

Will give it a shot tonight.

 

[Tx Jim]

Hydrostatic and not moving, so as neutral as possible. Brakes released as well.

So are you implying hydro range selector has no neutral position? I'm asking as I don't have a clue.

 

[D C]

So are you implying hydro range selector has no neutral position? I'm asking as I don't have a clue.

Ahhh... gotcha now. I wasn't thinking neutral on the range selector. Just in whatever the heck status the hydro is in when neither pedal is pressed. Haven't tried neutral (will do as well tonight) but the performance is no different in any of the ranges.

 

[oldnslo]

depending on the angle of the loader it may be trying to roll the rear tires as you try and lift the front of the tractor and that is thereason that is the reason the Tx Jim is asking about neutral.

I know on my Branson it will sometimes lift the front while the HST is in gear and sometimes it will not.

 

[D C]

depending on the angle of the loader it may be trying to roll the rear tires as you try and lift the front of the tractor and that is thereason that is the reason the Tx Jim is asking about neutral.

I know on my Branson it will sometimes lift the front while the HST is in gear and sometimes it will not.

Well I'll be damned. Put the range selector in neutral, and up the front end went, rear wheels rolling forward.
I never would have dreamed that the "idle" hydraulics would be so strong as to prevent such. After all, this thing will roll down inclines that seem rather slight.

Likewise, with tipping the bucket forward when it's flat on the ground. Never tried that since it seemed like the wholly incorrect order to do things in.

Talk about feeling like a noob! Thanks guys. I appreciate the help!