3320 Hydraulic problems

[RollTideRam]

I have a 3320 hydro with a little over 600 hours on it. I have started having problems with my hydraulics on it and am not sure where to start to look for the cause.
I changed the fluid and filter on it last year with a little over 500 hours on it just to see if that would help with steering. It had become jerky and would not work good at lower rpm's.
That seemed to help, but it was doing it again last spring. I checked fluid and it was low, ended up filling it with the wrong fluid from Tractor supply instead of Hyguard. put in about 3 quarts.


A few weeks ago I was using my grapple to pile up some brush and had a flat on the front tire. Used the loader to pick up front to change tire. Another hour of working, I noticed loader
would not raise all the way up. I was afraid I had tweaked something so I quit for the day. Loader would get about half way up, then acted like fluid was low, it was acting the same as the steering.
Got home and checked fluid. Still on full. I bought a new filter and 7 gal of fluid to change it, but am worried something else is wrong. Just checked and loader will not lift the front end off the ground.

 

[beenthere]

Sorry to hear that.
When you said you put in the wrong fluid (3 quarts), what did you do after that?
Change it all out for the low vis HyGard?
Or left it mixed?

 

[RollTideRam]

I left it in. It was equivalent to Deere 303 hydro oil. Checked the inline filter and it was clean. Letting the loader down while driving it felt like it was in a strain. Not sure what's going on. Will take it to dealer tomorrow.

 

[GordNovo]

could it be a bent cylinder rod on the loader? Might explain the poor articulation.

Did you bump against a stump while using your grapple?

 

[RollTideRam]

I could have bent a cylinder, I was pushing into a brush pile and lifting at the same time. I pressure washed the tractor and checked for leaks. One cylinder looked like it may have been leaking. Hopefully it will not be major. I don't get enough off days to really dig into it myself so had to take it to dealer. Priced a new 4052r which is what I want, but way to much money.

 

[kennyd]

The loader issue sounds like a QD coupler that is not fully seated-its a very common problem. Try unhooking all 4, cleaning and then reconnecting.

I seriously sought 3 quarts of "wrong fluid" did any damage to the system considering how much it holds.

 

[RollTideRam]

Maybe that is all it will be. I don't know why in the world I didn't check those first. Went as a far as checking the hoses at the front of the loader and the ones to the hydraulic top link. Well I removed the Grapple and top link before I loaded the tractor, but I should have checked the loader couplers.

 

[RollTideRam]

Talked to dealer on Friday. The manifold on the side of engine had a crack in the top of it. They put on a new one and loader works, but still has a hesitation in it. I went today to see what it was like. Going to have to replace the pump.

 

[kennyd]

Thanks for the update, that mail old is another common failure point on these machines, and since it was sucking air probably contributed to the pump failure. That manifold, at only about $20, should be replaced every few years IMHO.

 

[beenthere]

Not sure what manifold this is.. is it the "transmission suction line" ?

If so, about a $20 part and is part # M134346 on my 4300.

Thanks kennyd for the heads up on changing it out. Wasn't even close to being on my "to do" maintenance list.