FORD 555 (B?) Loader/Backhoe drive issues.. Takes a long time to get moving. What is causing this?

[UrbannGuerilla]

Ford 555B Loader Backhoe takes a long time to get moving. If anyone has answers that'd be cool.

If the tractor is cold, even when put into forward, and with the rpms raised (or not, doesn't matter).. doesn't move. I've watched my father sit on this thing for 10 or 15 mins waiting on it to start moving. When it FINALLY starts moving- usually you barely notice the tires start to push... and then at some point it'll be full contact quickly (like you popped the clutch).. usually he will take it for several laps around the top of the property to get it warm. But even after it gets warm its still delayed often in responding to forward or reverse. You just have to wait for it to catch and be ready. I'd like to know, if anyone knows, why this machine is doing this and what might need to be done to get it to act normally again.

I don't know what else to describe. It just takes a long ass time to get moving. I hope someone smarter than me with mechanics can tell me what is going on, and what might help. I'm good at growing things, not so much on equipment troubleshooting & repair.
Thanks!

 

[TractorTech]

The F/R piston seals are old and stiff allowing oil to slip by until the oil warms up. You can get various shuttle rebuild or seal kits. You have the after 1981 version if it is a 555B and the following should be correct even though it indicates it is for earlier models.

574332 TORQUE CONVERTER KIT fits FORD Tractor 340-4500, EARLY

Check out the deal on 574332 TORQUE CONVERTER KIT fits FORD Tractor 340-4500, EARLY at Alexander's Tractor Parts

www.alexanderstractorparts.com

 

[Dman1981]

That's funny a torque converter kit

 

[TractorTech]

That's funny a torque converter kit

Shuttle pump, seal and disc kit

 

[UrbannGuerilla]

The F/R piston seals are old and stiff allowing oil to slip by until the oil warms up. You can get various shuttle rebuild or seal kits. You have the after 1981 version if it is a 555B and the following should be correct even though it indicates it is for earlier models.

574332 TORQUE CONVERTER KIT fits FORD Tractor 340-4500, EARLY

Check out the deal on 574332 TORQUE CONVERTER KIT fits FORD Tractor 340-4500, EARLY at Alexander's Tractor Parts

www.alexanderstractorparts.com

Is all of this necessary to fix it, that seems like a lot of extra stuff. Is it possible the seals that are old and stiff are reasonably easy to access behind the control box up top? Or is that just wishful, lazy, hopeful thinking, and everything needs to be done once something needs to be done, all at once? (In other words, when the seals go- ALL of this should be replaced together) ... hope that made sense. Just looking for clarification.

Also, thanks for your reply. I have bookmarked the part.

 

[TractorTech]

Ha, ha! I wish you could go through the too, but no.
You can just replace the seals. But, it would be a good idea to get a service manual, if you don't have one, and a. pressure gauge to measure the pressure of the system via the test port accessed through the bottom of the bell housing. It will tell you if the pump is strong and which clutch pack is leaking.

You can wait on the clutch discs until you have it apart and have a chance to examine.

Other things to consider replacing are the rear main seal on the engine. Also, inspect or replace the 3 freeze plugs on the back of the engine. Examine the torque converter flex plate for cracks. The later pu screen for the shuttle pump can fall apart, but can be wired back together.

Basically, splitting a tractor is a job, so you want to take care of everything while you're there.