Jerkiness is most often signs of air in the system (or lack of oil).
A common source of air ingestion is in the return lines.
Being low pressure hose they often get overlooked and the smallest weather check crack or loose fitting can be your cause.
Since they don't leak spotting the cause is difficult.
Also relatively inexpensive so a shotgun approach is often a good suggestion. (i.e., simply replace it/them)
(Soft punky hose is one good sign of rotted hose.)