How can you tell if hydraulic pump is starving?

[CO_Farmer]

I'm in a real bind right now, needing the loader on my 2500 to clear many feet of snow off of our road.

The last day or two the loader has been operating ridiculously slow between dig and dump extremes.

I have changed the hydraulic fluid and cleaned the mesh filter in gas, with little or no improvement. Performance got way better for a few hours, then it slowed down again. I have a gut feeling that the hydraulic pump is starving for fluid on the suction side, but can't be sure. I am suspecting the fluid flow is lacking through the screen filter, but before draining the system and removing it again, I thought I'd try to get some input.

Thanks.

 

[normde2001]

If cleaning the screen helped before, I would definitely have another look at it.

 

[kenmac]

I'm in a real bind right now, needing the loader on my 2500 to clear many feet of snow off of our road.

I am suspecting the fluid flow is lacking through the screen filter,

Thanks.



Why not try it without the filter ? Then you will know if the filter is too restrictive causing your problems.I have heard that some after market filters are more reatrictive than others.

 

[DieselPower]

What viscosity oil are you using? How cold is it outside? You might want to try a special low temperature hydraulic oil.

 

[kenmac]

Dieselpower, I don't have a clue as the degree that jd 303 will have problems flowing. Never known anyone to have flow problems with jd 303 flowing,( as that is specs) but I guess it's possible

 

[CO_Farmer]

What viscosity oil are you using? How cold is it outside? You might want to try a special low temperature hydraulic oil.

THANKS, everyone for replies.

I'm using a Valvoline equivalent to 303 fluid right now. Temps have been in the 20s.
I have several gallons of synthetic automotive ATF in the barn, I suppose I could use that to thin out the 303 fluid if I have to, but 20s isn't that terribly cold and I shouldn't have to. Besides, the hydraulic fluid is getting plenty warm after operating a while, judging by the temperature of the lines.

My tractor doesn't have the cartridge hydraulic filter as shown in the manual, just the fine metal screen filter in the transmission sump.

The hydraulic lines get good and warm after operating a while, so I know the pump is making pressure, just not flowing enough volume (I think).

I'm going to check the large line from the tranny sump to the pump in the morning for leaks at the fittings. That could cause fluid starvation and lack of volume through the screen filter. I might also try completely removing the screen filter and see what happens.

In any case, we're marooned here out in the Colorado sticks, I need to clear two feet of fluffy snow off our dirt road or we're stuck here until May. The Jeep just gets high-centered. My boss might not understand that ...

The challenge is to figure out what's going on and be able to fix it with regular hand tools without access to spare parts.

Thanks again for any ideas, folks.

 

[kenmac]

Is it just the fel that has problems or does the 3 point also have problems ? If it's just the fel, I would think something in the fel control valve.

 

[dirtworksequip]

If you were not getting enough hyd oil to the loader it would be real jerky not just slow. I would think it is more of a flow problem. Also I don't think I would contaminate the hyd oil with the ATF unless it is an emergency or you are planning on changing the hyd oil soon. Make sure you have clean ALL the screens. It may run fine for awhile, but as you use it more dirt pulls against the screen restricting the flow and slowing down the loader functions.

 

[YanmarFever]

We run ATF in all our yanmars here and its 26 outside with no problems

The yanmars with napa universal tractor fluid take forever and the pumps just whine until they warm up.

I suspect that you have an inch of gunk on the bottom and new fluid works good until it picks up the gunk again.

I would pull the filter and look inside with a light and a long screw driver to scrape and see whats laying in there.

I have used a vacumm to clean out a few before.

Ernies Imports

 

[normde2001]

"I suspect that you have an inch of gunk on the bottom and new fluid works good until it picks up the gunk again."

My thoughts also, Ernie, assuming there is also a problem with the 3ph. I would also make sure the servicing stop valve is not partly closed.