MF 135 3 point link wont lift with weight on

[Massey135GK]

Hi all,
I have a massey 135 which I put a new hydraulic pump on about 4 months ago, she will work fine on the log splitter but will not lift weight on the 3 point linkage. It will lift my link box empty but as soon as I add weight it drops to the ground. So far I have checked the following and all seems to be okay:

Side cover removed & checked fingers are in correct place as well as cricket bale still in situ.
No water in oil - oil is only four months old and looks as new as the day it went in.
Removed hydraulic cover cap to check stand pipe washers - all well and oil is horsing out of the stand pipe with plenty of pressure.

I believe it means I am going to need to remove the top cover as this is the only place i think there may be an issue.

Any assistance or hints would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Ga

 

[Agvg]

Any slack in the toplink?

 

[Massey135GK]

Any slack in the toplink?

There is up and down movement as well as side to side but no in and out movement on the top link, it is fixed solid

 

[Dmacleo]

shot in the dark from someone with ZERO knowledge of that tractor....possible air bound somewhere affecting ONLY that movement???

 

[Massey135GK]

shot in the dark from someone with ZERO knowledge of that tractor....possible air bound somewhere affecting ONLY that movement???

That's a good possibility but how I check it or push the air through I have no idea

 

[Dmacleo]

wish I knew how, sorry

 

[Agvg]

That's a good possibility but how I check it or push the air through I have no idea

Those old MFs are not airtight so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Agvg]

You are using the position control?

 

[DeanKC]

Bought a fully restored Ford tractor about 40 years ago. Everything worked fine except it could not lift my brushcutter. Returned it in exchange for a MF which was very good. Regret not holding on to that (Model N, I think about a 1950 build).

 

[Massey135GK]

You are using the position control?

Yeah I am, I've since tried disconnecting the top link and just using the arms to lift and that's no problem and stay up so must have an issue in either the draft controll or top lid somewhere

 

[Agvg]

Yes, would disassemble the toplink, did it on mine with the same symtom, but ended up removin the bolt on so I could move the draft control a few centimetres more, suspect I'm missing a roller inside the hydraulic cover.

 

[JWR]

Well, I think you have the problem 95% solved. I have a couple of comments:
1) To my knowledge those tractors have a separate hydraulic pump for the 3pt lift internal to the rear end of the main tractor chassis. I assume the pump you replaced was up along the side of the engine (and probably has no relationship to your 3pt lift.) That is a little bit moot since you have the lift links rising in back now for you.
2) From what has been said, I think you have a Draft control issue that is not as simple as having the levers in the right places. Isn't your top link attached (directly or indirectly via an 'anvil') to a big eye that has a heavy spring behind it? That is your Draft sensing via the top link. I am more familiar with later models but I think even back in the 135 & 165 days that was the case. IF SO, you can probably rig a way to secure your top link attach point solid to the rear axle somehow avoiding the eye and big spring. At least for later models Massey sells a bypass kit that does exactly that. I put one on my MF2660 a few years back as I had no use for Draft control and it was just a nuisance.

How about a picture or two of your top link attach point area ?

 

[Massey135GK]

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to this thread. With regards to the hydraulic pump the 135 does not have an external pump only and internal one at the back end of the tractor in the sump, this is the one i have changed.
To change the pump I had to remove the top cover which is where i now think the issue is like you have suggested possibly the draft control but within the lid of the tractor, potentially even a spring has been moved on re-installation.
I am currently in work so unable to take any pics of the tractor, i will try later and post them on.
Thanks again

 

[redman135]

Hello, your problem is worn internal draft linkages.
I bypassed my top link and had full power(lift front wheels off ground). I still used 3ph as most of my work used carryall tray.