Adding a hydraulic top link to a M-F 231S

[def38]

My 231S has no FEL. There is a two way valve on the right fender. I have attached a cylinder to the lines but get no action.

What so I need to get the top link cylinder to extend and retract?

 

[RNeumann]

A photo of the valve and plumbing may help.

 

[def38]

Mr. Neumann, photo coming shortly. Thanks for your reply.

 

[def38]

Photos of the current hydraulic hardware. I already have the cylinder with check valves at both ends.

The first photo is some kind of selector valve.
The control valve (2nd photo) has only one lever.



I am suspicious that to get the top link cylinder to work is going to be expensive.

Anybody?

 

[ptsg]

Might no be as bad as you think.

Have you tried to play with the selector valve to see if you have any movement? Just set it all the way to one side and test it. Then other to the other side. Then the middle.

Looks to me that selector valve is there to send the fluid to either the 3 pt or the remote valve.

EDIT: Just found this info about that selector valve: "Three-position spool, forward position allows one-way (push) for single acting cylinder. Center position allows operation of the 3-point arms, & the rear position will feed power to a 4-way control valve for two-way (push-pull) operation of double acting cylinder."

 

[RNeumann]

The cylinder with check valves has me concerned it’s one of the check valves and or it doesn’t need the check valves. The next diagnostic tool would be a pressure gauge to test the two ports on the tractor.

 

[def38]

The "isolator valve" (1st photo) is described as follows;

PART NO: TS300. Selector/isolator assembly. For TO35 & later tractors thru MASSEY FERGUSON1080, without individual external hydraulic systems. Three-position spool, forward position allows one-way (push) for single acting CYLINDER. Center position allows operation of the 3-point arms, & the rear position will feed power to a 4-way control valve for two-way (push-pull) operation of double acting CYLINDER. Fits all MASSEY FERGUSON tractors where 182373M1 lift cover is used.. Weight (lb) - 5.85

I removed, disassembled, cleaned and reassembled the TS 300 valve some time ago. It was stuck with paint and operates now.

What's next?

 

[def38]

The cylinder with check valves has me concerned it’s one of the check valves and or it doesn’t need the check valves. The next diagnostic tool would be a pressure gauge to test the two ports on the tractor.

Mr. Neumann, I am informed that check valves are needed to prevent creep of the cylinder when in service.

 

[def38]

I think I need a new selector valve to operate the cylinder in both the extend and withdraw direction?

 

[RNeumann]

Mr. Neumann, I am informed that check valves are needed to prevent creep of the cylinder when in service.

I’m offering some diagnostic ideas that will cost little or no money.

 

[def38]

I’m offering some diagnostic ideas that will cost little or no money.

And believe me I appreciate sir.

Once I get things sorted, there will be a celebration here. You're all invited. The Crimson Tide band will perform as will the Crimson Tide cheerleaders. Medals will be awarded and other honors will be bestowed.

I am contacting the Whitehouse to see if FLOTUS can attend and make the presentations (POTUS will be unable to attend...he's busy with other pressing things).

But, we have work to do in the meantime.

So, what's next?

 

[oldnslo]

Does the 3PH operate correctly and lift a load like a round bale, rotary mower, etc..

If yes then the pump is working properly so on to the next thing.

You stated that you removed and cleaned the SO300 diverter valve. Not to question your abilities but are you 100% sure that shifts into all three positions fully? If does shift fully into the 3rd position where it supplies oil to the directional valve mounted on the fender the directional vale will not work.

Do you hear any change of sound when shifting the diverter valve? I.e. oil hissing sound, tractor engine labors, etc.

When operating the directional valve on the fender does the engine labor or does the noise change?

 

[def38]

Does the 3PH operate correctly and lift a load like a round bale, rotary mower, etc..

If yes then the pump is working properly so on to the next thing.

You stated that you removed and cleaned the SO300 diverter valve. Not to question your abilities but are you 100% sure that shifts into all three positions fully? If does shift fully into the 3rd position where it supplies oil to the directional valve mounted on the fender the directional vale will not work.

Do you hear any change of sound when shifting the diverter valve? I.e. oil hissing sound, tractor engine labors, etc.

When operating the directional valve on the fender does the engine labor or does the noise change?

Being a M.E. and having grown up in Lake Bluff, IL, having worked on the Blair Farm (Wm Bair was related to Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the reaper and was on the Board of IH) and having designed injection molding tooling and understanding things like Young's Modulus and all other mechanical things like desmodromic valve mechanisms in piston engines, I removed the TS300 selector valve and completely disassembled it. Previous to this, it could not be operated due to paint and corrosion. I removed all the o-rings and thoroughly cleaned the ports and passages. This is a simple rotary style valve that is positioned to select various paths for hydraulic fluid under pressure. The valve now operates like new and my 3 point operates normally.

Without measuring, I am confident that hydraulic pressure is in specification. I can lift any implement attached to the 3 point. The 3 point does leak down with an implement in the air after engine shutdown. The leak down is very slow and it takes 20-30 minutes depending on the weight lifted.

As for the noises, I hear hydraulic fluid when changing the selector valve however, there is no pressure at the hydraulic couplings.

There must be someone out there with a M-F231 who has a hydraulic top link that operates correctly!!!???

 

[ptsg]

The "isolator valve" (1st photo) is described as follows;

PART NO: TS300. Selector/isolator assembly. For TO35 & later tractors thru MASSEY FERGUSON1080, without individual external hydraulic systems. Three-position spool, forward position allows one-way (push) for single acting CYLINDER. Center position allows operation of the 3-point arms, & the rear position will feed power to a 4-way control valve for two-way (push-pull) operation of double acting CYLINDER. Fits all MASSEY FERGUSON tractors where 182373M1 lift cover is used.. Weight (lb) - 5.85

I removed, disassembled, cleaned and reassembled the TS 300 valve some time ago. It was stuck with paint and operates now.

What's next?

Now change the position of the selector valve till you get any movement on the cylinder. Going by the selector valve description, it should be pointed to the rear of the tractor, then move the control valve lever to see if you have movement.

 

[oldnslo]

Simple answer is to figure where the oil is going. This has a fixed displacement pump so the oil is going somewhere. Either the simple selector isn稚 working properly or something in the plumbing or the fender mounted valve isn稚 correct and allows the oil to bypass at little or no load.

 

[def38]

I do not believe there is a return for the hydraulic oil when the selector valve is in the rear position.

 

[oldnslo]

With no return for the oil in the selector tells me the oil is going someplace else. Since this is a three position diverter and at least one of them operates the 3 point, have you tried the other two positions?

 

[def38]

Now change the position of the selector valve till you get any movement on the cylinder. Going by the selector valve description, it should be pointed to the rear of the tractor, then move the control valve lever to see if you have movement.

Done that. Nothing.

 

[def38]

With no return for the oil in the selector tells me the oil is going someplace else. Since this is a three position diverter and at least one of them operates the 3 point, have you tried the other two positions?

Yes. Nothing...no cylinder movement.