loader eratic and no power

tjones8043 · Sep 27, 2014

I just bought a 1975 JD 2030 with a loader. I can not find any info on the loader as far as brand or model. The problem I have is that the loader will not lift the tractor off the ground or even lift a full bucket of gravel. When I lower the loader, it acts almost as if it getting in a bind, and then it will change directions and start going back up. If I put the bucket flat on the ground and then curl it, it will lift the loader not the tractor. The cylinders are not holding it down. I'm not sure if it is a hydraulic supply problem or a problem with the loader itself. I also get some chatter in one of the hydraulic lines. The fluid was pretty milky so I changed the fluid, filter, and cleaned the screen filter. I will get a pressure gauge tomorrow so I can test the pressure at the breakaway couplers and give me an idea on the supply pressure. This is my first tractor and I don't know much about them yet. Got a couple of manuals to get started.

bigdeano · Sep 27, 2014

If you leave the loader a few feet off the ground and shut off the engine, how long does it take to go down to the ground? Maybe it's just worn out seals in the cylinders. Another possibility is worn spools in the valves.

tjones8043 · Sep 27, 2014

bigdeano said:
If you leave the loader a few feet off the ground and shut off the engine, how long does it take to go down to the ground? Maybe it's just worn out seals in the cylinders. Another possibility is worn spools in the valves.

I raised the bucket a couple of feet and shut the tractor off. The bucket doesn't appear to be moving any that I could notice in just a few minutes time. If it is dropping, it is going very slowly. It seem to me that when I lower it, one side goes down slower than the other, then it almost feels like its in a bind, then starts going up. When it starts to change direction, I can move the lever the opposite direction and make it go down by moving the lever up and down. It says kelleys farm equipment on it but I cant find what model. sticker was painted over.

tjones8043 · Sep 27, 2014

Appears to be a Kelley 800 loader

tjones8043 · Sep 27, 2014

I am gonna try switching the hoses on the control valves and see what that does for me.

Tx Jim · Sep 28, 2014

Stand-by pressure should be 2250 psi. I agree to check for crossed up hoses to cylinders.

boggen · Sep 28, 2014

if there are quick connects on the hoses, undo them and then reconnect the quick connects. some times they do not connect properly.

crossed hoses on valve could do it.

if relief valves are not set correctly, that could keep FEL from lifting front end of tractor.

www.jdparts.com it is not much but they do show a parts diagram, enter your tractor model, and a FEL / loader option should come up. either as a model number w/ fel, or some sort of accessory or hydraulics. in the listing of your tractor.
a shop / service manual would show you much better pictures / diagrams and give text / details, but *shrugs* the part diagrams might be enough to get ya through what ya need.

Tx Jim · Sep 28, 2014

Also if trying to lift tractor frt axle with FEL be sure the tractor is in neutral so rear tires can roll a tiny amount as loader lifts frt tires.

tjones8043 · Oct 1, 2014

Stand by pressure is ok. I can shut the tractor off and lower the boom an d i still have to move the control lever up and down to lower it. I switched the hoses on controls to try other lever and it did not help.

LD1 · Oct 1, 2014

Sounds like piston seals in the cylinders.

Raising.it and shutting off the tractor and watching for drift does NOTHING to test the cylinder seals. It would hold it's position even if it had no seals.

But...if the seals are worn, when trying to lower it will act like a regen circuit which will actually raise the loader when trying to lower under power. And would also cause it to have much less force when raising. And the erratic behavior may be your operation of the lever when lowering. If itnis as I suspect, it will lower in float mode, but raise when lowering under power.

To test the seals you can raise the loader a bit in the air. Then remove the rod side hoses. If lots of oil comes out and the loader drifts down quickly, you have your answer. If little oil comes out and the loader don't drift noticabally quick, something else is going on.