Loader GC2310 FEL very weak

[crazyjncsu]

I've always felt the entire tractor was a bit slow/weak, but today the front loader was a huge disappointment. I was trying to do some grading, and the loader just wasn't able to lift much of anything. I couldn't even empty a bucket full of dirt from pushing, which made the whole exercise very frustrating.

It seems to lift relatively fast when the bucket is empty, which would seem to indicate there is not a restriction in the lines (???).

It drives pretty good and pushes dirt pretty hard, so it seems the drive is unaffected (???).

The backhoe has always seemed slow, but I have watched other videos and it doesn't seem out of the ordinary. The hoe does seem a little weak, but with my disappointment in being slow, that didn't seem out of the ordinary either.

The loader doesn't have a fast weep when the bucket is empty or full, which would seem to indicate the cylinder seals are fine (???).

I'm aware of the issue with the short spline shaft, but that seems to affect the drive also, and the drive seems unaffected in this case.

This shows the issue:
http://youtu.be/3cvNxkM77d8 (1:42 long)

This shows other functions that seem to be unaffected:
http://youtu.be/pkOXrtHZvMQ (1:24 long)

Can you guys suggest anything to look at? Thanks!

 

[crazyjncsu]

But after looking at this thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...e/240084-mf-135-loader-hydraulics-weak-3.html

It's probably relevant to point out that my loader bucket seems higher on one side than the other. It was like that when I bought it, so I figured it was due to damage, but maybe one of my lift cylinders is bad...

 

[ray66v]

The first ting I would do is check the hydraulic pressure to the FEL.

You will need a gauge you can put in the line, and see what kind of pressure is available to the valve, when it fails to lift anything.

Then, you want to check the pressure coming out of the valve, to see that it is the same as coming in.

I do not know what you should have as far as pressure goes, but it's in the thousands. Someone will chime in with that information.

If you have pressure, going to the cylinders, they may be bad. If you don't, you may only have a clogged strainer, or filter. But, it could be a bad pump.

Keep in mind the drive pump for the wheels, is a separate one.

 

[crazyjncsu]

Thanks, I have a hydraulic gauge and fittings on the way. But I've also gotten a little ahead of myself....

The more I read, this is starting to seem like the 2005 year spline issue. I bought the machine with just over 300 hours, and it's always seemed disappointingly slow/weak (but much more so lately). My dealer seemed to agree on everything and contacted his service rep. The service rep denied our initial request to have some assistance from MF on the issue. I'm taking it up with ACGO answers.

The spline issue wouldn't be so egregious if there wasn't the 8mm void filled with gasket compound. Someone clearly miscalculated dimensions in the design. It's so half-assed they should fix it just out of embarrassment.

 

[ray66v]

Yes, we are aware of that.

If the pump shears, it usually stops working all together.

AGCO's has fixed only those which failed under warranty. The rest have only gotten parts out of them.

It's totally wrong. But, so far haven't seemed to feel that bad about it.

If that is determined to be the case, it is important that you let us know what they did for you. There are still many of these out there.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

Relief valve maybe?

 

[crazyjncsu]

The gauges got to my house yesterday, but I haven't been able to put them on yet.

I was running the tractor yesterday and maybe have a more specific idea on the symptoms:

It operates much worse when warmed up for 10-15 minutes. FEL can lift full bucket when first started up. After 10 minutes it gets really weak.

There is lots of slop/slack/play/whatever in bucket and backhoe curl. I can move the edge of the bucket up and down 4-5 inches with my hands without hydraulic resistance. Same for backhoe bucket. It's not so much 'spongy' though.

The hydraulic oil fills up the sight glass. Too full? And I saw an air bubble through the sight glass. (the previous owner just changed the fluid 20 hours ago)

 

[ray66v]

You could try jacking it up in the back, to see at what point the sight glass shows the oil level.

Draining some out is no big deal, I doubt too full is the problem.

I can't imagine cheap fluid causing that much of a problem. Some members use the generic with no issues. Still, can't help but wonder what they put in there.

There is a suction pick up screen, behind the left tire. A long shot could be that he did not remove it, and clean it when they changed the oil, and it's obstructed with debris.

You can remove it without draining all the oil. You will need a pan to catch what comes out. and someone to put their finger over the hole, while you clean it.

Did he use a genuine MF hydraulic oil filter? Look for some writing on it. There are no known generic filters. People do experiment with these.

 

[TSO]

The fluid should go halfway up the sight glass for proper level. Also, you may need to bleed air out of the system. There should be a bleeder bolt on the pump housing ... Check your manual, instructions should point the way.

 

[ray66v]

The fluid should go halfway up the sight glass for proper level. Also, you may need to bleed air out of the system. There should be a bleeder bolt on the pump housing ... Check your manual, instructions should point the way.

Dual acting cylinders are usually self bleeding.

My manual lists no bleeder screw, or procedure for doing so.