Jinma / Siromer 244E Hydraulic Failure - ideas please...!

[Localmotion]

Had a call this morning from my neighbor - I normally service and do any repairs for him in exchange for borrowing his tractor if we need an extra one for our contracting business. My problem is that I am currently working away and don't get home until late - so any ideas or experience on similar problems would be greatly appreciated :thumbsup:

The tractor is a Siromer 244E (same as Jinma 244) - the problem is that the hydraulics are struggling to lift FEL and also rear 3PT Linkage with nothing attached. He said that the tractor was fine last week - he first noticed that the hydraulics seemed sluggish yesterday so checked the oil level which was fine. He used the tractor for just an hour yesterday and he was only spraying so no real use of either the 3PT Linkage or Loader. But today at startup the hydraulics would hardly work at all.

I had a quick look this evening - the hydraulics are very slow / struggling and jumping as if low on oil or as if there is air in the system. The dipstick oil level is fine. The pump also appears fine (no strange noises or obvious signs of heating up). I am wondering about the pressure bypass valve (on the FEL), but I wouldn't expect the jumping if this is the problem..? Also could a blocked filter cause this...?

If anyone has any ideas or has had a similar problem / quick fix they can tell me about it would be very helpful to know as it could save me a lot of wasted time checking the whole system (which I simply don't have time to do at the moment...!) Also if I need parts, I can get them on order ready for when I have more time :thumbsup:

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Two thoughts:
Blocked filter.

Driveshaft on pump rounded off.

 

[Localmotion]

Thanks Qucksand...

Two thoughts:
Blocked filter.

I did wonder if a blocked filter could be the cause - it shouldn't be block as it was only changed a short while ago, and the tractor doesn't work many hours, but will definately check.

Driveshaft on pump rounded off.

Not something I'd considered. I have had a pump driveshaft fail on another tractor but it was very sudden and resulted in no hydraulics at all. Also the steering is fine which is a separate secondary pump but which I think works off the same shaft as the main hydraulic pump....?

 

[quicksandfarmer]

What I've read is that when the driveshaft rounds off it works fine under low loads but when you ask it to do work it slips.

I have only the one pump so I don't know how the two pump systems are plumbed. Do they have a common intake? That would tend to rule out a filter.

 

[doxford jim]

I would also check the valve block for the front end loader. There are metal cans on the rear of the block that cover the centering spring for the loader control valves. These cans come off (2 screws) and you should see a spring covering the end of the valve. A screw holds the spring in place so the valve enters easily. If this screw loosens or falls out of the hole, the valve will not work the loader. I have had this happen and all it takes is to put the screw in and tighten it well. Chances are that this will be your problem.
HTH
Cheers

 

[Localmotion]

Thanks for the suggestions

I think the steering hyd pump works off the same drive shaft as the main pump - they are inline with the main hyd pump first and the steering pump mounted on the back. I guess the shaft passes straight through the first pump to the second. That said, when thinking about it I guess it is still possible that the keyway has rounded on the first pump and not the second...? The two pumps are fed by separate oil reservoirs so it is possible it could be the filter.

I know exactly what doxford jim is saying with the loader spool block - I've had the same happen myself on our own Siromer 204S. However I don't think that would affect the rear linkage, and when it did happen to us it simply stopped the loader working. The symptoms I am getting on this tractor are more akin to low oil pressure or air in the system.

Hopefully I will get a chance to have a look in daylight tomorrow - I am really hoping it is just the filter and our neighbor can have his tractor back before the weekend - otherwise he will have a long wait as I have a plane to catch on saturday for a weeks R&R back in the UK...! :drink:

 

[doxford jim]

I know exactly what doxford jim is saying with the loader spool block - I've had the same happen myself on our own Siromer 204S. However I don't think that would affect the rear linkage, and when it did happen to us it simply stopped the loader working. The symptoms I am getting on this tractor are more akin to low oil pressure or air in the system
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sorry I misread the post. I thought the FEL was not working - duh !

Getting old don't help none, sorry about that

 

[Localmotion]

No problem doxford - age is not an issue as I'm sure you have acquired more knowledge in your years than I have so far in mine. I appreciate the response as all ideas are always appreciated :thumbsup:

Quicksand farmer was correct in his thinking about the filter. I took the filter off this morning and found a large chunck of oil seal stuck in the inlet pipe. A little while ago I had to change the 3pt linkage cross shaft located in the back axel for our neighbour - my guess is that when I removed the housing to get at the shaft, the chunck of seal dropped off into the axel and I didn't notice it. So no charge for the neighbour...!

I swapped the filter for a new one at the same time to be safe and now working fine - think he is off to harvest Olives tomorrow and I am off on that plane... :dance1:

Good results all round - thanks guys for your help :thumbsup: