245 loader qustions

[Harry in Ky]

I'm in the process of installing a 245 loader on a 2555 cab tractor. The story is this loader was recently removed from another 2555. So far, everything looks pretty straightforward, except for some small items. First thing is the bolts attaching the rear of the loader framework to the tractor's rear axle housings are too short. We have(what we believe to be) all the plates, nuts and bolts that came off with the frames, but the bolts lack about an inch to mount things onto this tractor. Not a big deal, just need longer bolts. Just wondering if there may be different size axle housings on different versions of a 2555 or could this loader have maybe been mounted on a smaller tractor?
The other thing is a valve of some sort mounted on the loader framework. I see what appears to be this item in the 245 parts book labeled a relief valve. It's plumbed inline with the loader valve and the bucket cylinders. It has a 1/4" hose that evidently connects to the tractor somewhere. I'm guessing this is merely a return/overflow type line and should be connected to a sump return port on the tractor somewhere?

 

[beenthere]

Maybe this valve is to relieve pressure in the lines that build up when the loader is off and parked. Often there will be enough pressure that the quick couplings cannot be snapped together.
I fashioned up a valve to put in the end of one hose, but it didn't shut off completely enough to hold the pressure until I was ready to relieve it. So I scratched that idea.
Will be interested in hearing other opinions of what the valve is or might be.

 

[jd110]

I assume you are talking about valve #11? This is a relief valve plumbed in the bucket tilt circuit. This is a self leveling loader. If you dump the bucket fully at a low height and raise the boom all the way, the self leveling linkage bottoms out and the relief valve opens to allow some oil out of the bucket cylinder so nothing breaks. The same thing happens when you roll bucket all the way back at full lift height and then lower the boom all the way. Relief valve again opens so oil in bucket cylinder can be released. The hose you are referring to dumps the oil to sump as you suspected. Usually gets connected to pipe plug at rear of transmission housing near left hydraulic outlets.

 

[beenthere]

jd110
Thanks for that explanation.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Yes, that makes sense. Since the self leveling feature is strictly mechanical, I can see where the possibility exists for the bucket tilt to bottom out in one direction or the other while both raising and lowering the loader, and with different volumes of fluid on opposite ends of the cylinders, a need for a sump return would come into play sooner or later. I will look for the plug you mentioned.

 

[Tx Jim]

I will suggest to attach return hose to plug hole in RH center of rockshaft housing where plug #17 is located. Length of mounting bolts varies with how tractor was optioned as shown in footnotes below.

 

[Harry in Ky]

I'm assuming that item 17 is a 1/4" pipe plug? I think the hose in question had 1/4" male threads with the Oring sealed swivel fitting. Will get back to it tomorrow and check it out.

Thanks all.

 

[Tx Jim]

pipe plug(parts key 17) is 1'' NPT. Fitting(parts key 5) in jd110's photo has an option of being 15H629 Pipe Bushing 1/4" 1/4" X 1" HTH's,Jim

 

[Zebrafive]

I can get pictures where I hooked up on my 2030 if that would help

 

[Harry in Ky]

Thanks, but I think that being clear on the purpose for the hose is all that's needed.

 

[Tx Jim]

Harry
Do you need any more assistance on hose attachment to tractor?
Jim

 

[jd110]

The plug I was referring to is #2 in this diagram. The one TxJim mentioned will work as well, but it may be more difficult to access with cab. Plug #2 is also the plug to remove to access the parking brake adjustment. If you choose that one, you might want to adjust the park brake while the plug is out. Use a large straight screwdriver to reach adjusting screw. pull the brake lever back to second click before adjusting, then tighten adjusting screw until it stops.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Actually, we are just about at that point. We got everything mounted, bolted down and the loader on. Valve is bolted on and the cable/handle unit is now in place. Supply and return lines are hooked up and the loader is functioning. The 1/4" hose is still looking for a home. I see the plug mentioned on the rear housing(#2 on the diagram), but noticed an open port on the left side of the main case about where the PTO gears and shaft must be. It's also 1/2" pipe thread, and may also be an access point for something on the inside. A plug here would thread in from the left side, very near the rounded part of the case where the axle housing bolts on. It was getting late, light was fading, so didn't spend much time trying to figure out what exactly is in there, but I can see and feel something. I blew some air into port and it escaped through the dipstick hole, so I think it will work for our purposes. I could screw a 1/2 pipe fitting into it, but it's kind of in corner so only a straight fitting will work. The port is nice and clean like something was recently removed, but we have no idea by whom. The tractor and loader are both recent purchases, so history is limited. The hose is plenty long enough to reach back there, so I plan to go to town on Monday and get some fittings/adapters to connect it up. That and a bit of fabricating to mount a step plate to the loader frame and it should be good to go.

About the park brake adjustment? You say pull the handle back one click, then tighten the adjusting screw(under the #2 plug) until it's tight. Is that just until it contacts something below or until it's too tight to turn any more? What exactly does that do? Just take the slack out of the band? If the brake is properly adjusted, how far back should the handle travel before the brake is set? Right now it comes back quite a distance, maybe close to a foot measured at the top of the handle where the release button is.

 

[Tx Jim]

The plug I was referring to is #2 in this diagram. The one TxJim mentioned will work as well, but it may be more difficult to access with cab.

I forgot Harry's tractor had a cab. I totally agree the plug I listed would be near impossible to access with cab in the way.