1710 Ford hydraulic problems

[Real McCoy]

Hi, New guy here. I bought a 1710 Ford with a FEL and 4 wheel drive a couple years ago. It was rough with a torn up transmission and various other issues. I broke it in 3 sections, rebuilt the trans, checked the clutch, and replaced the front driveshaft coupler which fixed the 4 wheel drive. I also rebuilt the 4 way valve for the FEL which was leaking, replaced a leaking rear axel seal, all the hydraulic hoses, oil filter and oil. The tractor was usable and basically worked OK moving driveway gravel, top soil and spreading it around but the hydraulics always acted erratically. The 3 point seemed to deadhead if you moved the lever to full up position so I left it at about 2/3s so the FEL worked faster. I used the tractor all day Saturday moving dirt with the FEL and dragging it with the scrapper blade. Over time the FEL and 3 point both got slower and slower until they would barely move at all. While they were very slow the FEL was still able to lift the front tires using the tilt so it seemed to have pressure. If I shut the tractor down and let it sit a minute and cranked it back up everything works fine for a cycle to two then gets dead slow again. Nothing is hot to the touch so its not overheating the oil. If you shut the tractor off the FEL and 3 point wont go down using the levers. So I'm thinking theres pressure but something isn't letting the cylinders drain back. I sure could use a hydraulic schematic and any advice or suggestions. I am not at home now but before I left I ordered a couple 5000 PSI gauges, a new hydraulic oil filter, and a 18 inch 5000 PSI hose so I could try and test some pressures. I hope to have all that when I get home next Monday. Any thoughts and can I get a schematic anywhere? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Dave M7040]

My first suggestion is to remove the discharge (high pressure) hose from the pump when these issues arise and see if the pump is delivering volume. If done carefully with a clean 5 gallon bucket you can reuse the fluid.
Some of the suction screens on tractors leave a lot to be desired. A pump which is restricted in the volume of oil it is supplied with can still deliver pressure slowly to lift the tractor.

I have bought a couple of these on line service manuals for $9.99 to help people.
I was pleased with their quality. Not unreadable photocopied pages.
Ford 1710 Tractor Service Manual PDF Download

If you are unhappy immediately after the download, request a refudn but I dont think you will feel ripped

The WSM will not likely include a loader but will give you a lot of information.

How many hoses are on the FEL valve? 6 or 7

For the 3 pt hitch there is a feedback rod on all that I know whose job it is to cut off the hydraulics at the top of the arms lifting.

This next illustration is not your tractor but will give you an idea of what to look for in the form of a small diamter rod attached to one upper lift arm.

Your tractor hydraulics will be an open center system. If for example, you tee into the output line from the pump to the FEL valve you will not see any pressure as there is no pressure until you make a demand by moving a control lever.

If your loader has quick connects for the hoses to the cylinders, plug into one of those quick connects with your gauge.

This would be a typical gauge arrangement. A 3,000 psi gauge will be more useful to you as your system pressures at best will be a bit over 2,000 psi.

Dave M7040

 

[Real McCoy]

Thank you Dave and I'll buy the service manual when I get home so it gets loaded on my computer. Do you think my tractor has screens in the system somewhere? It has the spin on filter. My tractor has no quick disconnects and I have 5000 PSI gauges ordered so I can test pressures. My FEL valve has 6 hoses I think.

 

[Discount Hydraulic Hose]

Dave has a good call on the quick coupler gauge setup, but we usually sell them with a hydraulic hose in between, in the end it's easier to use.

Ken at Bolt on hooks, has a good video featuring a hydraulic pressure test gauge:

Hydraulic Pressure Test Gauge, Use and Operation - YouTube

We can set you up with a gauge, hose and coupler- let us know.

gauge= AFC-5M-25 | Bottom-Mounted Pressure Gauge, to 5, psi: DiscountHydraulicHose.com
hose assembly= 1/4 Inch ID Custom Hose Assemblies
Couplers= Quick Disconnects



-Blake

 

[Dave M7040]

Dave has a good call on the quick coupler gauge setup, but we usually sell them with a hydraulic hose in between, in the end it's easier to use.

Blake

These comments are not meant to be argumentative.....

My experience, unless needed by location of test point, hose between gauge and coupler adds cost and increases chances of breaking gauge as it can swing and hit things when not held.
If you are using it as a service tech then sure but then get a long hose as some tractors require pressure readings near the power steering control and if you are working alone you need to be at the steering wheel too.

For a tractor owner, the logic of a gauge reading to 5,000 psi does not seem correct. What is the possible error in your gauges?

+ or - 5% of full span. A span of 0-5,000 results in a greater error than a 0-3,000 gauge.

Dave M7040

 

[RickB]

Blake

These comments are not meant to be argumentative.....

My experience, unless needed by location of test point, hose between gauge and coupler adds cost and increases chances of breaking gauge as it can swing and hit things when not held.
If you are using it as a service tech then sure but then get a long hose as some tractors require pressure readings near the power steering control and if you are working alone you need to be at the steering wheel too.

For a tractor owner, the logic of a gauge reading to 5,000 psi does not seem correct. What is the possible error in your gauges?

+ or - 5% of full span. A span of 0-5,000 results in a greater error than a 0-3,000 gauge.

Dave M7040

Gauges are most accurate when the readings fall near 50% of the range of the gauge itself.
Give me a gauge with a 3’-4’ Hose every time. Someone prone to abusing and breaking tools will find a way, hose or not.
Not trying to be argumentative, just opinionated.

 

[Discount Hydraulic Hose]

Gauges are most accurate when the readings fall near 50% of the range of the gauge itself.
Give me a gauge with a 3’-4’ Hose every time. Someone prone to abusing and breaking tools will find a way, hose or not.
Not trying to be argumentative, just opinionated.

Yes, we sell several different pressure ratings of gauge and two styles of mounting, rear mount and bottom mount-

Pressure Gauges


I linked to 5,000 psi, b/c thats what most guys ask for, but in this case, yes the 3,000 is probably the better choice.

I didn't realize that the coupler/gauge combo was going to be a 'permamnent' fixture on the machine, so yes adding a hose would most certainly create a great opportunity for a bad time.

(you're not being argumentative, you're giving great information!)

-Blake