Massey Ferguson 1740M Hydro: LOSS OF POWER when hot!

[TopSpeed1]

My dealer is baffled by this problem, they had the tractor for almost 4 weeks. I guess a computer update was supposedly the cure. It was returned to me and was not the cure. I want to stress the time(s) in the video that the occurrences happen. My MF 1740M has plenty of power and torque until about 40 minutes of mowing with a light to medium load; as lawn was actually mowed the day before, so this is a re-mow or mulch so to speak. (video edited so you don't see all the in-between). I made the video thorough because I need to emphasize the good run time to power loss / malfunctioning gap. My dealer was told, but it's hard to understand if you're on it for even 20 minutes, it's going to be fine. And, with no load?, it may be over an hour! (I'm not actually sure cuz I only use the tractor w a load/chores). While mowing; Kicking in the A/C makes the loggy-ness happen a tad earlier (~40mins vs ~50mins).

I posted this on one other tractor forum and that's it, I didn't post this on my main Youtube Channel (with 25K Subscribers), so YT surfing trolls shouldn't pickup on this and start the "You shoulda got a Deere!" etc. I want the issue addressed and corrected, I don't want to buy a different tractor as my fix. Appreciate any contributing comments....

 

[Tinhack]

Please explain your use of the term HOT. The gauge says otherwise.

1. Have you verified the engine is "hot"? How?
2. Have you checked the radiator for blockage?
3. Have you checked the coolant level?
4. Have you checked the oil level?
5. Is it trying to do a regen?

 

[TopSpeed1]

Please explain your use of the term HOT. The gauge says otherwise.

1. Have you verified the engine is "hot"? How?
2. Have you checked the radiator for blockage?
3. Have you checked the coolant level?
4. Have you checked the oil level?
5. Is it trying to do a regen?

@Tinhack All good q's, let me explain my term "Hot" first. I use this term because the tractor is well into the running/working mode temps which is about the ~40min mark (Way past any normal warm-up period). The temp gauge (shown in the video) shows only 2 to 3 bars, it's very dim but the engine is NOT overheating. You can raise the hood and even touch most components, not the turbo or exhaust of course.

1. So "Hot" is not overheating. Just a term I use for more that just warmed up, maybe I should say "Working load temp"?
2. Radiator is fine
3. Clear and Full
4. Oil changed and at top level on stick, both fuel filters changed now twice since.
5. Being that I own a new F350, and a Mercedes diesel E250 car, I'm well aware of regens. It could be this for a short period of time, but not all Mowing season.

This power loss is at ~40 min mark of mowing and with every mow job, and slightly gets worse the more I go beyond that 40min mark, well, until I finally surrender and put it back in the pole barn. The next day, I hop back on and I have another ~40 mins of mow time and with full power, it's like nothing ever happened that prior day. Hence my frustrations.

So Tinhack, all of these 5^ are ruled out, by the dealer as well. My initial guess was injectors. If they get hot, they (can) vaporize the fuel less efficiently. Basically instead of misting in the fuel, it squirts the fuel into the cylinders leading to very poor power [combustion] and bad mileage. Exactly as I got! I mentioned this to my dealer and it wasn't explored, at least to my knowledge.

 

[Dmacleo]

don't suppose there is a chance the hydro system is plugging/getting hot (fan blocked)/etc created the illusion of loss of power?

 

[TopSpeed1]

don't suppose there is a chance the hydro system is plugging/getting hot (fan blocked)/etc created the illusion of loss of power?

I have to put this in the possibility category, and, will not rule it out!. The hyd filter and fluid got changed around the 100hr mark if I'm remembering.

Did not know there was a fan on the Hydro system? hmmm.

 

[Dmacleo]

I have to put this in the possibility category, and, will not rule it out!. The hyd filter and fluid got changed around the 100hr mark if I'm remembering.

Did not know there was a fan on the Hydro system? hmmm.

the GC series have one, no idea of other models do.

 

[loggin]

I have to put this in the possibility category, and, will not rule it out!. The hyd filter and fluid got changed around the 100hr mark if I'm remembering.

Did not know there was a fan on the Hydro system? hmmm.

What type of mower do you have? Is it possible that something is dragging in the mechanism of the mower? Could be one or more spindles, gear box, belt pulley? Check to see if some of these items are getting abnormally hot.

Just trying to brain storm here.

 

[JWR]

What type of mower do you have? Is it possible that something is dragging in the mechanism of the mower? Could be one or more spindles, gear box, belt pulley? Check to see if some of these items are getting abnormally hot.

Just trying to brain storm here.

Good point -- maybe some aspect of the mower gets hot after about 40 min of usage and begins to load down the tractor or at least increase the load on it. Gearbox on the mower ? Something else on the load side rather than the tractor itself?
Another afterthought: Maybe the turbo is not getting lube correctly and gets hot enough after 40 min or so that it stops giving boost?

 

[JWR]

I have to put this in the possibility category, and, will not rule it out!. The hyd filter and fluid got changed around the 100hr mark if I'm remembering.

Did not know there was a fan on the Hydro system? hmmm.

Any chance that some accidental "other fluid" might have been put in the hydro system? I'm not talking just a brand difference or claims of some wonderful performance of the OEM trans fluid, I mean some totally different oil not intended for a hydrostatic transmission?? If you changed it yourself you probably know exactly what went in but if someone else did it ?? This is something a dealer would be very unlikely to think of.

An unrelated different thought: Have you tried this machine on serious loads, heavier towing, tilling, large bush hog, etc.? It might be instructive to try some of that since all we know of that you are doing looks like VERY light lawn mowing. Actually another good test would be super heavy high grass rather than the lawn. I agree that the hydro mid-range ought to be "right" but what does it act like if you shift to low range?

I assume you are running the 72" mid-mount mower which might be a good load in heavy grass but your 40hp tractor should not be challenged at all. 40hp is a rather large lawnmower... Yep, you do have a puzzle going here.

 

[TopSpeed1]

What type of mower do you have? Is it possible that something is dragging in the mechanism of the mower? Could be one or more spindles, gear box, belt pulley? Check to see if some of these items are getting abnormally hot.

Just trying to brain storm here.

Would be a good call, but even when dis-engaging the mower (after work load of ~40 mins), it still acts like 10hp, really more like 5hp, but this is a heavy diesel vs a small and lighter gasser, so I'll be gracious and say 10!

The mid mount (underbelly) mower is a 72in Massey model MF1705