Fecon FTX-140 Cutter head pump problems!!

[Benlin]

I have a Fecon FTX-140 that I lost all my oil in one big hose blowing, fixed the hose and added oil to find the main pump did not act like it was picking up suction, messed with it a while and it picked up and ran great.
After a day or so I was repairing some more hydraulic problems, and the machine did it again, a chaddering sound and not building pressure to the head. After working it slowly I was able to get it running great again. Decided that the oil was cold and warmed up and could pick up??? Changed to a lighter oil from ISO 46 to a multi grade more suited for our colder area. Now with the new oil the pressure light is now on at any RPM more than 1400, and/or if I engage the head.

Some old post talked about a safety switch in the system?
There is two 1/4" hydraulic lines running from just below the manual control, up to a 12 volt solenoid, what are these controlling, and what controls the solenoid?

I know the pump is fine (Eaton 6422-149) when it picks up it runs great. I have not put a pressure gauge on the test port yet, need to go buy one, but watch the unit pressure. Something act like it is opening up at the pump, the light is coming on and it does not build pressure.

Any thought with what is going on, any help would be great!!!!

 

[treemuncher]

I run AW46 in mine from zero degrees Farenheit to 100 without any issues. I think you should be looking at your charge pump pressure and filters. Possibly, your intake screen is blocked up? If you have not changed your hydraulic filters lately, I would start with that and check to see how much stuff is in the media. A check of charge pressures certainly is in order.

After blowing a hose you need to let the entire system refill itself which includes pumping oil up high through the cooler. Air will be in the system and the best thing to do is let it rest after initial fire up to de-aerate. Give it a good 30 minutes if it is cold out. Warm the system slowly, especially in colder weather. I like to stall the cutterhead with a block and give light pressure to the drive with the engine at about 1500 rpm's until the hydraulic temp gets into the upper yellow zone.

The safety switch is located at the right rear door just behind the hydraulic pump on the inside edge of the outer frame. Just a bit below the black box unit. It keeps the cutter drive from engaging unless the seat and belt switches are closed.

How many hours on the machine? What temps are you running at (your location is not shown)?

My eaton pump was running great until it popped on day. Ran slowly with little power for a few minutes and then it ate all of its guts out. THAT required a major flushing job, engine/pump removal and a new pump. If you don't flush your system with a catastrophic event, you will just be in for a repeat scenario.

 

[Bill Stecik]

I owned one of those and grew to just hate it . Lots of hydraulic and belt problems . The last straw was when working in wet snow the bolts that hold the final drive on broke and I wound up all the steel lines . I was so happy when I sold that thing.