Can a tractor lose it's hydraulic lifting ability?

[john_bud]

This does help. Thank you. I wanted to run a 5 foot tiller as well but I was cautioned on doing that. The only reason I wanted a 5 foot tiller is because that is how wide the tires are. With a 4 foot tiller I hear that makes the tractor not sit level and the tiller as well. Probably not a big deal. I have about 20 acres that I can brush hog. So 4 feet will take awhile. I have been doing it with a 4 wheeler and swisher up until now. This will be much better! Thanks.

Get 5ft cutter and tiller. You won't be able to power through, but you can cut a narrower swath when it gets too thick. Tilling isn't that hard, especially after the first pass. If sod bound, dig a bit with the fel then till it up in 2 directions.


On the hydraulics, there are 2 issues to look at. Pressure and flow for the pump AND seal in the cylinders. cylinders for small loaders often only have one seal. Cheap part to replace, but a messy job that needs big sockets and can be high torque.

Oh, your hydraulic filter can be clogged causing all the symptoms. And if water contaminated, (especially in winter) the fluid could be the cause too. Heat the system by running HARD for an hour before draining fluid / changing filter. If it's just low pressure, the setting spring has probably lost tension. Usually an easy thing to change.

Just remember, it's usually an easier fix than anticipated.

 

[jekyl]

I would like to thank everyone for their input. I have since spoke to the local John Deere dealer and they also gave me some assistance. I have scheduled an appointment to have service completed on the tractor. Since I last checked in I have noticed a few things with the tractor. I may have mentioned that the throttle would creep back on me as I was working the tractor. I was constantly having to pushing the throttle forward with my hand or use the throttle pedal with my foot. It was a constant juggle between them and the brakes along with everything else that was going on. So, I adjusted the throttle linkage so that the RPM would stay where they should be. Wow! What a thrill. Huge relief to not have to bother with that. Felt like I had a brand new tractor. Made life easier. Also, with the RPM where they should be I was able to keep an eye on the performance of the hydraulics meaning, how well the loader was performing. Like night and day gentlemen! It seemed to be lifting just fine. Things worked so much better. One of the other things I noticed is there are a few leaks in the hydraulic system. There is a "valve block" where the actuation levers for the loader are located and also the hydraulic hoses are connected to it. There is a slow leak there. I am not sure if it the hoses or if there are seals in the valve block that are leaking. So, once again, thanks gentlemen. I hope your winter is going well.

 

[jekyl]

This did help. Thank you. I don't think I will ever need a 12 inch auger but that is good to know. A lot of folks have told me to stick with a 4 foot brush cutter and to definitely not go bigger. Some people thought a 5 foot would be fine but they were out numbered by the other folks so I will stay with the 4 footer. The only reason I considered going bigger is because of the width of the rear tires. I have turf saver tires and they measure 5 foot across. So I was hoping a 5 foot cutter and rotor tiller would have worked. No big deal. Anyways, thanks. Take care.

 

[spareparts1]

Man.... Really bummed. No lift in FEL (except for rolling back and forth). No 3 point lift, so can't feed the cows. L2400 has been at the dealer for 2 weeks. And another 2 days a month prior to this. The first time they said they found some debris in hydraulic poppit. So picked up better in the FEL, but still no improvement in back lift.

So the bill is up to $4k, and I guess they've ordered parts, more parts, and more parts. The transmission has been opened and new parts put in. Wanted to pick the tractor back up a few days ago (did I happen to mention I can't carry my 1300 pound bermuda bales to my cows??), and they said they broke some spring in the assembly under the seat... So they had to order another spring... Most of the parts I have seen on this tractor are pretty stout, so... how can you break this spring???

Anyway, I'm at a loss. No tractor. At least when I HAD the tractor, I'd back the bale spear under the bale, put the tractor in reverse, and push the bale down the my cows. But at least I had my tractor... Now I've lost my tractor AND $4k. I feel like a real dip-wad...

Next tractor, successful service and domestic parts will be a huge priority. This repair bill is way more than I can afford. I got Kubota because I always heard/read it was the BEST. Even my brother-in-law in Ireland had one shipped over to work his orchard with... But... Holy crap...

Suggestions? Please? And please don't laugh. If you hear my cows screamin', you would not be laughing. Thanks!

 

[LD1]

Man.... Really bummed. No lift in FEL (except for rolling back and forth). No 3 point lift, so can't feed the cows. L2400 has been at the dealer for 2 weeks. And another 2 days a month prior to this. The first time they said they found some debris in hydraulic poppit. So picked up better in the FEL, but still no improvement in back lift.

So the bill is up to $4k, and I guess they've ordered parts, more parts, and more parts. The transmission has been opened and new parts put in. Wanted to pick the tractor back up a few days ago (did I happen to mention I can't carry my 1300 pound bermuda bales to my cows??), and they said they broke some spring in the assembly under the seat... So they had to order another spring... Most of the parts I have seen on this tractor are pretty stout, so... how can you break this spring???

Anyway, I'm at a loss. No tractor. At least when I HAD the tractor, I'd back the bale spear under the bale, put the tractor in reverse, and push the bale down the my cows. But at least I had my tractor... Now I've lost my tractor AND $4k. I feel like a real dip-wad...

Next tractor, successful service and domestic parts will be a huge priority. This repair bill is way more than I can afford. I got Kubota because I always heard/read it was the BEST. Even my brother-in-law in Ireland had one shipped over to work his orchard with... But... Holy crap...

Suggestions? Please? And please don't laugh. If you hear my cows screamin', you would not be laughing. Thanks!

I would start by creating your own thread instead of piggy-backing in on this one.

Without knowing what the dealers have replaced or what parts they are ordering or even having the tractor there to check stuff for us, I dont think we can help much.

What year is the tractor?

 

[spareparts1]

year 2008
~ 180 hours
They said they "cracked the transmission open" and replaced some gear assembly... When we had it here at the house, we tested the hydraulic pressure at this t-looking thingy and it read 2000 or so... Can't remember. I have the shop manual, so the pressure was right in the middle of what the shop manual said it should be.

Sometimes I can fumble through problems myself, but recognize that sometimes the "special tools" the shop manual called for, I didn't have or could not "make do".

That's Ok... Thank you anyway. I guess I did it to myself... I mean, everybody always tells me about how dealerships take advantage of girls. I tried on my own first, though. Found and cleaned out 3 other poppits beside the one they cleaned out (the easy one... behind the hydraulic inlet hoses under the step).

Heavy sigh... Thanks again.

 

[teg]

year 2008 ~ 180 hours..... Heavy sigh... Thanks again.

You list a L2400 in the post above, was that just a mistake since your profile says L3400. If it is a L3400, there are MANY MANY people that would love to hear about your problem. Do you know how to start a new thread?? (prefer with in the kubota section)

We would love to hear about it because the L3400 has not had many problems and would love to know HOW it happened too. We could also pass judgement on if the dealer took advantage of you... (right or wrong)

 

[LD1]

I too am intrigued. Not sure what gear they would be replacing for a hydraulic issue?

While it dont normally cause things to completely stop working, did anyone take a look at the suction hose for cracks? allowing it to suck air? Was a problem on early 3400's

 

[spareparts1]

Thank you teg. Yes, L3400. I clean stalls and feed beefs... Ok. I will try new thread, but I'm not the brightest crayon in the box... I have wireless and sometimes it goes off into the weeds when I try to "post new". I'm only lucky the web site I did works.