John Deere 401C Hydro trouble

[Bid1]

I recently got a 401C industrial tractor it has front loader 3poit hitch live pto and shuttle shift unsure of year but serial # tag is 401cd. Ran fine for a few days moved about 60 tons of dirt before it started to shutter and lift slow. I have read on here that it has a sump screen I can not seem to locate it. do they all have this ? Have replaced both filters and didn't change operation. any help would be grate. Cant seem to locate anyone here that knows anything about the rig.

 

[Tx Jim]

Here ya go parts key # 22 is the screen but I think on an industrial tractor one needs to remove a fitting & hose to access the screen.

 

[Bid1]

Thanks I will look again tomorrow. Is their anything else that would cause tis problem?

 

[Tx Jim]

Several things can cause hyd failure including internal leaks & debris stuck in stroke-control valve among other things. Pump Coupler drive could be slipping on pump shaft.

 

[medic0648]

The screen is under the tractor behind the filter housing, but in front of the priority valve. Should be accessible on the right side of the tractor. You need to drain the sump BEFORE attempting to pull the screen. It should have a spot for a 1/2in ratchet to remove the cover. Also a good time to replace the main filter element while you're down there.

 

[Kaliburz]

The screen is under the tractor behind the filter housing, but in front of the priority valve. Should be accessible on the right side of the tractor. You need to drain the sump BEFORE attempting to pull the screen. It should have a spot for a 1/2in ratchet to remove the cover. Also a good time to replace the main filter element while you're down there.

And there is anywhere between 5-10 gallons of oil in there......

Silly question...how much hydraulic oil do you have? Deere's are really picky, has to have oil at least up in the hash mark and is check while at idle- not when off. IF you check the oil while off and is to the "full" mark on the stick, I can bet that once you start it, it will go down to the low mark (mine does). And if you are at the low mark when off....well, you don't have enough oil.... It uses hydraulic/transmission oil; the Deere brand is pricey, but GOOD. You can pick it up at Costco (if you have a local Costco wearhouse store) as they sell it in 5 gallon buckets.

Has the power steering been affected also or just the loader? I ask since the hydraulic system gives (at least on ag tractors) priority oil flow to brakes & power steering. Your tractor has a closed center hydraulic system, with, a direct drive/coupled pump in the front.

You stated there were two filters you changed? Umm, if I recall right, one filter should be under the tractor (cartridge type). Second one, well, I have no idea (as I only deal w/ Deere ag tractors.....). Was this other filter a spin on type?

The Ag tractor model that would be comprible would be a JD 2030 or 2440 (rated at 60HP at the PTO), both 4 cylinder engines. Hydraulic system virtually identical. An ag shop should be able to work/help you with it.

 

[Zebrafive]

If it's comparable to a JD2030 AG tractor capacity is 10 gallons. An industrial may take more. PS does have priority, brake's reservoir fill from the trans pump, not the main pump. Checking level with the tractor running is correct.

 

[Bid1]

there is two filters under the tractor one is vertical and the other is horizontal. they are both canister type filters

 

[Bid1]

still cant locate the sump screen we even pulled the priority valve off to make sure it was not behind it nothing their will try to take some picks of it

 

[Tx Jim]

Remove cap(parts key #1) to access screen. Sometimes there's a fitting with a hose in place of the cap.

 

[Bid1]

Their is a fitting that supplies the filter housing it has about 1.25 " house with clamps on it. To remove it looks like the filter housing will have to be removed. It is in the right area. Will pull it off Monday and look their . Sure hope this is the problem. We have not checked the with the tractor running it dose show full while off will try that also

 

[Bid1]

Thanks for the info have not had time to look at the tractor my 28 year old son was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor last week not sure when ill get a chance to look at it

 

[Tx Jim]

Sorry to hear about your son. I'll pray that he gets well.

 

[85bj60]

I'm in the same boat as Bid1, replaced the filters and cleaned the strainer(it was dirty). Refilled with new oil (shell spirax or something like that). I'm still having issues with loader and power steering, the 3pt hitch is functioning fine. This is my first ever tractor and will need my loader this winter. Do you think I need to clean my strainer once again?
Thx,
85bj60

 

[Tx Jim]

85bj60
Welcome to TBN
My suggestion would be to check to be sure hyd filter relief valve is seating. This valve is located on RH side just in front of hyd filter that's attached to trans case. Any type internal leak can affect the operation of the closed center hyd system. You could also disconnect & cap hyd supply line to power steering valve to determine if power steering valve is the hyd culprit..I will also suggest to check stand-by pressure which should be 2250 psi.

 

[85bj60]

Thx for the welcome! This valve you are suggesting is a add-on which is bolted to the transmission casing and is about a palm size & Y shape? The symptom's I'm getting is loss of PS and loader functions at times or all the time. Just sitting there waiting for pressure to energize my functions is sure getting my attention I will need to tap in a pressure gauge at the front pump to better see what is happening.

 

[Tx Jim]

Hyd filter relief valve is keys 24-27

 

[85bj60]

Ok, now I see what you're talking about, I just remove and clean it?

 

[85bj60]

Hyd filter relief valve is keys 24-27

Nope, that one is nowhere to be found! It's a bolted one to the same side but above the vertical filter. Something like R 39273, couldn't copy and paste. I have gotten a plug for the PS pump and a pressure gauge but might be sometime I get to it as other pressing chores need to be done. I hope when I pull the pressure control valve I don't have 10 gallons of oil heading at me, lol! How can you know if Accumulator is good?
The Hyd filter relief valve is a totally different valve we are talking about, I just clued in. Will I still get 10 gallons of oil pouring out? Lot of oil to contend with while lying on your back
Can I put the pressure gauge on the PS hose? Lot's of questions as I'm still learning the hydraulic wicked world :laughing:

 

[Tx Jim]

R39273 is the pressure control(priority) valve(2nd photo) which ISN'T the hyd filter relief valve that I was referring to. I don't locate R39273 in 401C parts catalog. I think industrial tractors have hyd filter relief valve located in the external hyd filter housing BUT due to the fact I as employed at at "AG only JD dealership" my knowledge of JD ind tractors is very limited.