3-Point Hitch 2555 3pt. question

northcreek2624 · May 22, 2009

Hi folks,We recently picked up a county mowing tractor and the 3pt.has never been used since this has a side mower which is hydraulic drive.
The lift arms are extremly slow so I changed the filter and fluid to no avail.Now I'm thinking that because it was low on fluid when we got it,maybe the pump has severe wear.
Am I missing something?.....thanks,Mike.

mfreund · May 22, 2009

Is it slow up, down or both??

northcreek2624 · May 23, 2009

It's slow going up,down speed is relavant to what weight implement that I have on it or have the adjustment set at....Mike.

AKfish · May 23, 2009

Did you clean the sump screen filter - or the change out the canister filter? Is the side mount mower still on the tractor? Does it run off the power beyond circuit?

AKfish

northcreek2624 · May 23, 2009

I changed the canister filter didn't know about the sump screen(still looking for a shop manual).
The mower is still on but,it is driven by it's own pump which is driven off the front of the engine,the mower system is independent of the tractor systems...Mike.

jenkinsph · May 23, 2009

I would check the pressure with a guage plugged into an outlet. You may be correct in having pump wear, don't know what the rating is but should see about 2100-2200 as a minimum. I say this since older Deere's ran at 2200 psi and new ones run 2500 psi or thereabouts.

Have you tried turning the steering wheel quickly while raising the 3 pt hitch? Would be interesting to know whether this affects the steering.

edit
Just checked out your tractor on tractor data and shows a 2320 psi design pressure and closed hydraulics system.
There is a small cartridge filter in the base of these pumps where the return line attaches that could be your problem. It is a filter screen about the size of a shotgun shell that could be plugged up, definately worth checking out.

Steve

northcreek2624 · May 23, 2009

Thanks Steve,I won't get out to where the tractor is until Wed. but,I will check that screen and steering although I seem to think that the steering has it's own pump,not sure though....Mike.

jenkinsph · May 23, 2009

Most of the Deere's with closed hydraulic systems use an eight piston variable volume pump built by Sunstrand. These were fairly elaborate pumps and Deere used a priority valve to insure that steering and brakes were supplied with hydraulic pressure before the 3 pt hitch and rear outlets. If the system pressure drops blelow about 1900 psi the prority valve closes the ports to the hitch and outlets and leaves the available flow available to the steering and brakes. This is one of the reasons I asked you about the pressure readings.

On tractors with gear pumps they typically have two sections or sets of gears on one shaft, one smaller set for steering and a wider set of gears for the implements. Usually their are not really separate pumps. This is normally referred to as an open system.

Both system types work very well but I suspect the gear pump and open system is less costly and is winning out in the long run.

Steve

northcreek2624 · May 24, 2009

Steve,That's a great explaination and gives me a better feel for what I'm looking at.Seems I just get familiar with one piece of equipment and they're getting something else.
FYI my son co-owns a motocross track and being a retired power plant maintenance supervisor he has found a way to get wrenches back in my hands but,it's fun stuff,not as serious as the power plant.
Once I get this 3pt. thing fixed I'll have to see about installing some remotes on it.

Thanks again,Mike.