Hydraulic question

[Mark_in_NY]

I need a nudge from the masses to get my problem solved; I have a G194/TS1910F w/backhoe. When I got this unit the hydraulics were strong, enough so that I bent one of the cylinder rams being stuborn (that's another story but evidence of the power) but over the last fews years the the tractor has become a wimp. The hydraulics have barely enough power to lift the extended boom off the ground and the outriggers no longer can lift the tractor off the ground. I've had a couple of cylinders rebuilt over the years but the symptoms effect more than just those cylinders. I put a guage in the main line and read 2500 pounds of pressure at high idle. This sytem uses an Eaton pump attached to the front crakshaft and not the tractor's hydraulic pump. I've had the pump serviced and was told there's nothing wrong there.

I tell all this to ask, where did the power go? I know there is some water in the fluid and maybe its more than I think. How much impact will water in the Hydraulic fluid make? How do I go about purging old fluid out? With the FEL there's 11 cylinders in the system. Is there a mechanical suspect I should consider?

 

[J_J]

I need a nudge from the masses to get my problem solved; I have a G194/TS1910F w/backhoe. When I got this unit the hydraulics were strong, enough so that I bent one of the cylinder rams being stubborn (that's another story but evidence of the power) but over the last fews years the the tractor has become a wimp. The hydraulics have barely enough power to lift the extended boom off the ground and the outriggers no longer can lift the tractor off the ground. I've had a couple of cylinders rebuilt over the years but the symptoms effect more than just those cylinders. I put a gage in the main line and read 2500 pounds of pressure at high idle. This system uses an Eaton pump attached to the front crankshaft and not the tractor's hydraulic pump. I've had the pump serviced and was told there's nothing wrong there.

I tell all this to ask, where did the power go? I know there is some water in the fluid and maybe its more than I think. How much impact will water in the Hydraulic fluid make? How do I go about purging old fluid out? With the FEL there's 11 cylinders in the system. Is there a mechanical suspect I should consider?

If you put the gage in the line coming from the pump, and read 2500 psi. That tells you the pump is good. How about putting the gage in-line with one of the cylinders and run it to the limits or until the relief pops off. then read the gage. The valve might be leaking, the cylinders might be leaking. If the fluid has that milky look, then it is time too flush and change the fluid. Pressure determines how much work is being done, and volume dictates the speed of operation, and good fluid determines the quality of operation.. Just put the gage in-line with anything you wish to test, and write down the readings. When you do all this, you will see where pressure is being lost. If you have 2500 psi going to the valve, but only 1800 psi going to the cylinders, then you have detected a problem. and you know where it is. Just to test some of these problems, take a separate valve and hook it to one of the cylinders, and see what happens. Post the results on here and someone can help you.

 

[LD1]

Do any of the cylinders leak down. If they dont leak down with a load left on them it is a good bet they are fine. This is a good way to test the cylinders if it's not possible to put the guage inline with the valve boday and cylinders (if you dont have the right fittings).

 

[J_J]

Mark in NY,

If you have some of the hydraulic fluid that is in your tractor, fill a clear glass with 4 oz of new fluid. Then drain 4 oz out of your tractor into another clear glass, and take a picture of the two glasses for us. If it has water in it , you will see an obvious difference. The detergents in the fluid will cause the water to blend/emulsify and will decrease the viscosity, and cause other damages, acids in particular.