Long 550 3pt bouncing

   / Long 550 3pt bouncing #1  

deeiche

New member
Joined
May 14, 2016
Messages
8
Location
Cuba, NM
Tractor
Long 550
I think this is also known as a UTB / Universal 550.

lift arms bouncing/oscillating

Went to use the tractor the other day, had not been run since last year 'cause I had health issues. Needed to move a rake to a different spot. Lifts up fine, but when I stopped it part way up, it starts bouncing/oscillating.

I shut tractor down, checked fluid level, added some TSC universal hydraulic fluid, tried again, still bounces. The oil looked like it might have some water in it, so I added some Seafoam Trans Tune to try to absorb the water before draining it. I decided to drain the system, geez, it was the color of creamy coffee. I ended up draining and filling with new fluid 3 times ( warming up transmission between changes ). Oil looks pretty good now, though I intend to flush it again later today.

I've been raising/lowering it as I drive around to warm it up, no change yet. This is without a load, when I have a load on it the oscillations are pretty violent. The instrument panel rocks back and forth with the lift arms. I am concerned the instrument panel is going to shear the attachment bolts.

However it still has the same problem. I figure with all the water in it things could be pretty bad.

Any suggestions on what to try out before I start tearing it down?

Oh yeah, draft control is in up position.

On another forum someone suggested, "Try adjusting the responsiveness lever on the right front side of the lift and see if it changes anything.". I've tried the 3pt with responsiveness sensitivity lever in both up and down positions with no effect.

I purchased Long manual reproductions, but they are REALLY something awful. In the Long 445 3pt problem thread AndrewInOz recommended getting the Fiat 480/500/540/640/DT workshop manual from Classic Machinery download site, but I've never been able to register there. If anyone reading this post has an account there I'd appreciate it if you could download it for me.

FWIW, this is a pretty good tractor. I hadn't started it in over a year, but with a jumpstart assist it started right up. Just need to get the hydraulics straightened out so I can get back to work.
 
Last edited:
   / Long 550 3pt bouncing #2  
I had a similar problem with my JD. Service manual suggested to first check the pressure relief valve for debri preventing a good seal and if that did not fix it to check the piston seals. I was lucky because out of 3 relief valves, itbwas the very first one I checked. Cleaned it thoroughly and reinstalled it. So far so good.
Hope this helps.
Hoochy.
 
   / Long 550 3pt bouncing
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Just changed out the screen filter. Uggh, lots of rust particles and what looked like pieces of orange RTV. The oil that drained out did not look to bad, looks like the 3 flushes helped.
 
   / Long 550 3pt bouncing #4  
Hope you got it sorted. Also, my manual recommended flushing with diesel fuel. Then using some oil to flush out the diesel after draining and refilling with oil. Not sure if it is a good idea on your model/brand but if it is, then it might save you some money next time you flush it out.

Hoochy.
 
   / Long 550 3pt bouncing
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Not resolved yet, intend to try your suggestion of checking pressure release valve.

I've been flushing the hydraulic system with new hydraulic oil with some DIY Seafoam transmission tune, ( by volume, 60% diesel, 20% methanol, 20% Naphtha ) added.

Hope you got it sorted. Also, my manual recommended flushing with diesel fuel. Then using some oil to flush out the diesel after draining and refilling with oil. Not sure if it is a good idea on your model/brand but if it is, then it might save you some money next time you flush it out.

Hoochy.
 
   / Long 550 3pt bouncing
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Just got the Oliver 1365 Service Manual from Rick's Ag parts yesterday. Oliver 1365 is the Fiat built design the UTB 550 is based on.

WOW, what a difference in manual quality. I read through the hydraulic section last night, looks fairly easy to disassemble.
 
   / Long 550 3pt bouncing #8  
Now that you have a manual (sorta) I'm thinking you're gonna find a bad O-ring on the lift cylinder - that'll let it drop, then the position sensor will raise it, it'll drop, repeat - the more weight on it, the faster that'll happen. I have regurgitated paper manuals for my Long 460, know whatcha mean about crappy.

On my AC 160 all you have to do to replace the lift O-ring is take off the back cover, manually raise the lift arms, replace the O-ring and put it back together (so my REAL AC manual says anyway, prob'ly gonna find out fairly soon)...Steve
 
   / Long 550 3pt bouncing #9  
Hi, I'm new here and I have the same problem with my Long 550 I was wondering if you ever found the problem? Mine only bounces for 10 seconds and then goes still until I start to move.
 

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