Jerking loader, 3 point hitch and weak front wheel assist

[Bob Nelson]

I have a TC33d that I bought used a couple of years ago. I have had the PTO gears replaced as well as the entire front axle gear/bearing/seals.

It has the stock New Holland loader on it as well as supersteer. 2100 hard hours, I think.

The engine runs strong, no blow by, good power. I have replaced the fuel filter and glow plugs.

But, the hydraulics are an issue.

I had the New Holland dealer change the filters and fluids and ever since then there is jerky motion and slow operation of the loader and 3 point hitch. The transmission is a hydrostatic transmission. The front wheels turn if I raise them with the loader, but don't seem to have power like trying to move up a hill. The rear tires spin, but the front tires do not. I realize I have put a lot of $$ in to this tractor, but really want to get it back to good operating usage.

I checked the filters and hoses and there is some leaking from under the tractor, but I cannot asertain where it is coming from.

Does this sound like a bad hydraulic pump? Any ideas on what might be causing this? The tractor looks like it's had a hard life with poor maintennance, but as I stated the engine is strong and the exterior (sheet metal, etc) is in good shape. I think the tractor might have been a Forest service tractor and perhaps poorly kept.

Any suggestions would be of great help! Thanks.

 

[Lefthanded]

Do loader Hydraulic jerky with the 3point lever up or down? Do have the 4 wheel drive lock in or in Auto?

 

[ruffdog]

Did you check the fluid levels? Maybe someone forgot to recheck after running........:2cents:

 

[CobyRupert]

OP says rear tires spin (i.e. have good power). Isn't front wheel drive (i.e. power to front) a mechanical connection?

That is, if the hydro to drive rear wheels are good, then lack of power to front wheels isn't a hydro problem?

Aren't jerky FEL and 3PTH a separate issue?

 

[Jtracker]

I am having a similiar issue with my new holland 1630. Could they maybe have hooked up the quick connects to the wrong ports?

 

[SirMaxwell]

...I have had the PTO gears replaced as well as the entire front axle gear/bearing/seals....

How many hours on it when work was done? How many hours since? Has it been performing well? Was correct fluid used and properly topped up? Does it need 'burped'?

...It has the stock New Holland loader on it as well as supersteer. 2100 hard hours...

As I recall Supersteer goes hand in hand with SensiTrac. All of which have auto controls and effect steering, loader movement and 4WD? Same questions as above.

...The engine runs strong, no blow by, good power. I have replaced the fuel filter and glow plugs....
...The transmission is a hydrostatic transmission...

Okay, at least that something.

...But, the hydraulics are an issue...

...I had the New Holland dealer change the filters and fluids and ever since then there is jerky motion and slow operation of the loader and 3 point hitch....

Were you having problems prior to the service or did ALL of the problems surface after?
Jerky motion, across the board in hydraulics, sounds like Low/wrong fluid, air in system, Overheating, cavitating pump, or just plain week/bad pump.

Of course this assumes that hoses are properly routed and no air being sucked into system. (both of which are a no no.)

...The front wheels turn if I raise them with the loader, but don't seem to have power like trying to move up a hill....

...The rear tires spin, but the front tires do not...

Not clear on these statements. Sounds like the rear drive wheels have plenty of power, but not the front or power steering? As I recall you said the 3PH is also bad. Need to nail down a few details, specifically.

...I checked the filters and hoses and there is some leaking from under the tractor, but I cannot ascertain where it is coming from...

Definitely need to nail this down. You say 'checked' but checked what? Correct filter types on correct mounts? Proper mesh size? Proper fluid? Enough fluid? No water entry? Air being sucked through a leaky low pressure hose? Gotta nail down any leaks and make sure hoses are plumbed correctly and correct filters are fitted with correct fluids.


At first blush sounds kinda like air being drawn in through front end low pressure, causing weak front issues, which spreads all over after a bit of operation and cavitation. How is the machine on start up, vs 5 min, vs 20mins?. Obviously if all of these problems are post Dealer servicing, then get the dealer.

Please keep us informed.

 

[Bob Nelson]

Sorry for getting back so late. I'm under the weather and its cold outside.

First of all thanks to all of you for any input. Information is precious!

Some clafifications:
I have only owned the tractor for 2 years and about 15 hours. Originally, the tractor seemed fine as far as the operation of the hydraulics go. No jerking, etc.

When I found out the front axle was dry, ground gears, etc, I had the New Holland dealer replace everything inside the front axle casing. I decided to have them do an engine oil change, hydraulic fluid change including filters. They only replaced the rear, large hydraulic filter and left the front left one alone. I am not sure why. When I got the tractor home the hydraulics were jerky. I called them and they said it's likely air and just to use the loader, etc and it will work itself out. It did eventually work out it seemed.

Later when hooking the brush hog up the PTO lever wouldn't stay in gear. I contacted a local fellow that is very sharp on compact tractors and he picked it up and said the PTO gears were bad. That this is not uncommon on tractors that have heavy brushhog and rototilling use. Anyway, he replaced the gears: they were gound down bad. He also commented that I should change the fuel filter and that the tractor has had a hard life and he thought the hydraulic pump was weak.

I trust this guy as he is real straight forward and didn't try to sell me anything. Just fix what was wrong. The hydraulics were jerky again. He noticed the previous owned put in a push button for the glow plugs and that often the glow plugs will not las as long and might be getting bad.

I replaced the glow plugs, fuel filter. Blows the main fuse if I leave the button in more than about 7 seconds now, but starts very good even in the cold, so he was likely right there.

Back to the hydraulics: I went out today and started the tractor. 14F outside, so cold. Took forever to get the loader to move. Hydrostat pedals groan like before and very jerky 3 point and loader up only. Down is slow gradual. I adjusted the flow control lever and it made zero difference. Very slow and jerky. Seems to have gotten worse and not just because of the temp, either.

The dipstick for the main tractor is on the rear of the axle housing. I checked it. At the proper level. I agree with the statements about the air, but could the hydraulic pump be going? Or gone? Is there a way to isolate this issue? I have the operators manual and have read it thoroughly. The previous owner was a hack, for sure. But, I don't give up easily. I hav replaced all the loader hoses when one blew. There is some leaking, but not sure where. Maybe a pipe or something.

I have owned another identical tractor to this one as well as a 1630 hydrostat. They had lots of hours, but no issues like this.

5 min vs 20 min. When warm the issue is still there. I had the tractor running for about 45 minutes the other day. Couldn't get up the hill as the rear tires were spinning and the front assist was weak.

This tractor has supersteer and according to the manual the front wheels are on "automatic" when the lever is in the rearward position and fully engaged in the frontward position.

It is my belief that all the issues are somehow related to the weak hydraulic condition. Would a leaking hydraulic filter cause this issue? Hose not tight? If the hydraulic pump, how to test? Replacing the pump looks fairly easy if bad, but I don't want to throw 450$ away.

 

[Lefthanded]

I hand bought New Holland TC33DC on line Auction with 420 hours looks like new with a Woods loader on it sight unseen. I put in lot lower bid then its worth knowing that there might be something wrong with. When I went to pickup it was the first time I drove it. I found that loader was slow jerky and the 3 point all the way up and there was whining sound come from the hydraulic oil was going over the relief valve I lower the 3 point all the way down to the ground and there was no whining. I tried the Loader valve it was lot fast, smooth. I loaded the tractor went home. To repair it I had to adjust the 3 point control valve Quadrant it took less than 15 min.


Also I would check Manifold Diver Block this is on the right side of the engine there is straight flat screwdriver cut on this valve take larger flat screwdriver turn it counter clock wise to 11:00 position this send hyd. oil to the loader control valve then to the 3 point control valve. Turn it clock wise to 1:00 clock this send hyd. oil to the 3 point hyd.control valve.

 

[Lefthanded]

I tried to post a link but it did not let me

 

[Bob Nelson]

I checked the manifold diver block and it is in the correct position. I am not sure I know what the 3 point valve quadrant is. Is that just the lever that raises and lowers the 3 point hitch?
I have lowered the 3 point hitch all the way down and up. It makes no difference. Very slow and jerky going up just like the loader.