Hydraulic squeals when lifting heavy load

[DarMar]

I am having an issue with my 1736 when I am lifting a full bucket of gravel or a round bale. The hydraulics started squealing a couple months ago when I am lifting something heavy. Revving the engine up seems to help a little bit. I've checked the fluid level and it is about 3/4 the way up the sight glass at the rear of the tractor. I also noticed that you could hear a sound coming from the back of the tractor while I was driving and turning the steering wheel. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[oldnslo]

sounds like your system relief valve in operation. Do you have a gauge assembly so that you can check the operating pressure to see if it is at the correct pressure.

 

[DarMar]

No, I do not have any gauges to check the pressure.

 

[JWR]

sounds like your system relief valve in operation. Do you have a gauge assembly so that you can check the operating pressure to see if it is at the correct pressure.

I think oldnslo is correct. You are probably hearing the relief valve allowing fluid to escape because of excess pressure. Very likely you are attempting to pick up an overload -- too much weight. I'm a little surprised that it did not just balk unable to pick up the load.

 

[DarMar]

So the manual isn't very helpful when checking the hydraulic fluid. When the tractor is shut off with the 3-point down and bucket pressure released the sight glass is 3/4 full. When I start the tractor and raise the 3 point and bucket the fluid barely shows up on the bottom of the sight glass. Could it be that the fluid is low and that I didn't fill it full when I changed the fluid a few months back?

 

[JWR]

So the manual isn't very helpful when checking the hydraulic fluid. When the tractor is shut off with the 3-point down and bucket pressure released the sight glass is 3/4 full. When I start the tractor and raise the 3 point and bucket the fluid barely shows up on the bottom of the sight glass. Could it be that the fluid is low and that I didn't fill it full when I changed the fluid a few months back?

I do not have direct experience with that model and a sight glass. Maybe it is low on transmission / hydraulic fluid. Best talk with owners of the same model or just ask the dealer.

 

[DarMar]

I called the dealer last week. He told me to back the 3-point lever slightly off of completely up. When the lever is in that position it apparently is using the hydraulic pump. I tried that and it seemed to solve my problem. I only lifted a couple bales and it appears the squealing went away.

 

[JWR]

I called the dealer last week. He told me to back the 3-point lever slightly off of completely up. When the lever is in that position it apparently is using the hydraulic pump. I tried that and it seemed to solve my problem. I only lifted a couple bales and it appears the squealing went away.

I think I misinterpreted your original question. Seeing your comment after dealer advice to backoff on the lever slightly caused the light bulb over my head. YES, at least the larger and older Massey Ferguson's that used "typical internal to the chassis hydraulics for the 3 pt lift" had a very common characteristic: When the lift control is at or near the uppermost point the hydraulic pump for the lift goes into "continuous" or some call it "regenerate" mode. When that happens there is a squeal as you described it. That squeal is the hydraulic fluid at very high pressure escaping past a relief valve into the sump. No harm when momentary or rare. You can do damage though if that is forced too often and too long. My MF2660 has a warning label on the lift control lever base and a "painted screw" from the factory limiting the upward travel of the control lever. I would NOT think this relates to lifting heavy loads however (??) I also do not know if the 1736 3pt lift is made that way.

 

[DarMar]

The squealing continues. When I changed the hydraulic fluid and main filter at 50 hours I didn't change the suction filter/screen. I now have 160 hours on my 1736. Could the clogging of the screen be causing the squealing sound from the relief valve?

 

[Johnny_B]

I know when I used the cheaper Permatran-III equivalent from Tractor Supply at my 50hr change, there was a lot of squeal when the hydraulics of my GC2410 were under load. At the 250hr change I switched to Mobil 424 and the squealing has stopped. Not bashing the TSC hydro fluid and it may be suitable for numerous applications, but I won't use it again in my tractor because I know for a fact the squealing started when I put it in and stopped when I drained it out.

By the way, I would suggest cleaning the suction screen...there was a "scary" amount of large metal shavings on the screen at 50 hours (any amount of metal flakes in the oil is scary to me, but I guess it is normal).