hydraulic's problem ?

Sideways · Feb 6, 2010

I have an older Iseki TX1500F with a FEL and a tiller on the back for weight.
The last snow we had in December I noticed the FEL was working slower than normal, I figured it was because everything was cold.
Last night and today we got hit pretty hard with snow again, pulled the tractor out and started moving snow again, the FEL was moving ok but I figured it would move faster once the fluids warmed up but it never did, in fact it slowed even more! I checked the fluid level and topped it off.
I put the tractor back in the garage (unheated) and pulled my 4 wheeler with plow out, after 10 or 15 minutes I finally figured out the 4 wheeler did not have enough butt to move 20+ inches of snow and put it away.
I pulled the tractor back out and could not believe how fast the FEL was now working, finished up and put the tractor back away.
Well we got another 4-5 inches this afternoon so I went to pull the tractor out and could not get the tiller to raise up and the FEL was moving slow again.
I can't move the tractor in the snow without raising the tiller.
Would the filter or screen cause this or do I have other problems?
I plan on checking the filter or screen (not sure if I have either) tomorrow

Soundguy · Feb 6, 2010

is there emulsified water/oil in the sump?

what oil ya using?

last time drained?

soundguy

Sideways · Feb 6, 2010

I drained the fluid this past summer.
The fluid is milky.
I'm using 80 weight hyd fluid,

Soundguy · Feb 7, 2010

milky means it has water in it.. not good.

80w? wow.. I know older fords pre 53 use 90wt oil in the hyds, same with some older fergy and a few others.. but most newer machines use a thinner utf oil.... have you indeed checked that your machine uses that heavy of an oil in the hyds?

soundguy

Iplayfarmer · Feb 8, 2010

I had the exact same tractor for a while. (Great little tractor!) I used UTF in the hydraulic sump.

Milky fluid is definately a problem. Whether it's "THE" problem or not, I can't say. You'd best change your fluid (Maybe a few times), and then see if the problem still persists. I'd strongly recommend a good Universal Tractor Fluid.

Sideways · Feb 8, 2010

Cleaned the filter and changed the fluid, still no lift on the 3 pt hitch.
My FEL works fine now.
I pulled the valve controller off for the lift arms and took it apart, cleaned everything up and replaced the o-rings. I hope I put it back together correctly

I won't be able to put the controller on until tomorrow.

Another question, should another person and I be able to lift the tiller up by hand, once the controller is back on and the air bled?

Soundguy · Feb 8, 2010

most 3pt lift systems have no fixed connection from the lift piston to the 3pt rockershaft.. thus you can usually ALWAYS manually lift the 3pt lift up by hand ( if you are strong enough ).. remember.. most 3pt's have no down pressure... that's because it's a floating connection between the lift piston, dogbone and upper lift arm rockshaft.

soundguy

Sideways · Feb 9, 2010

Well it's not the valve controller, put it back on and still no lift on the 3 pt hitch

I spoke to one of the local hydraulic guys and he thinks the lift cylinder blew a seal.
I pulled the tiller off and will move snow without a counter weight.

Looks like once the weather breaks I will be pulling the cylinder case.
Thanks for everyone's input!