Hi , I have a massey ferguson 290 with an independent pto. Today while traveling along the road I could hear a hydraulic noise , as if I had the lift arms up full height for hitch release. The system sounded under pressure. The lift arms were down and pto off. When I returned home I left if for awhile and when I went back to it it's doing the same , but if I turn on the pto it stops and sounds normal again. Also while traveling down the road with the lift arms half way , they will rise up full height by themselves and put the system under pressure. Any help would be great. Thanks
Massey Ferguson 290 Hydraulic Problem
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JWR
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Not real sure I can help but maybe can shed some light : This is what I see happening -- Something is causing your hydraulic pump to go into recirculation (overriding your relief valve.) The hissing or under pressure sound you hear is the relief valve letting fluid go, etc. When you exercise the PTO that is a clutch using hydraulic pressure I assume (??) and any way is using some hydraulic flow causing the noise to either go away or at least get to where you can't hear it anymore. I suspect that your Draft Control is the culprit. Check to see that your draft control lever is in the "full-up" or "out of the picture position." [Consult the owner's manual as I don't own a 290.]
In the Ferguson system that big spring behind your top link anchor point is involved in the amount of downward force by a plow that will cause the lift to compensate and raise it. That is the essence of draft control. Got anything real heavy on the 3pt at the time of the noise ? Many people do not know that in the Ferguson system having the Draft Control lever in the fully up position only desensitizes the Draft control but does not totally take it out of the picture. A huge top link load will potentially override the Draft Control being desensitized. I have had that happen.
Anyway, consult your owner's manual on the topic of Draft Control. I'm thinking that will solve your issue. OBTW, Massey sells a Draft Control bypass kit (which I use on my MF2660) because I never ever use Draft control.) The kit just ties down the top link support point to the rear axle/frame and leaves the "big spring" totally disconnected.
Please let us know how it works out for you.
In the Ferguson system that big spring behind your top link anchor point is involved in the amount of downward force by a plow that will cause the lift to compensate and raise it. That is the essence of draft control. Got anything real heavy on the 3pt at the time of the noise ? Many people do not know that in the Ferguson system having the Draft Control lever in the fully up position only desensitizes the Draft control but does not totally take it out of the picture. A huge top link load will potentially override the Draft Control being desensitized. I have had that happen.
Anyway, consult your owner's manual on the topic of Draft Control. I'm thinking that will solve your issue. OBTW, Massey sells a Draft Control bypass kit (which I use on my MF2660) because I never ever use Draft control.) The kit just ties down the top link support point to the rear axle/frame and leaves the "big spring" totally disconnected.
Please let us know how it works out for you.
Hi , I had nothing on the 3 point linkage at the time as I was towing a trailer. I did have a grass topper on it days before but everything seemed fine then. The draught control lever is in the fully raised position and it hasn't been touched anytime recent. .
I see what you mean in relation to the pto using pressure and therefore quieting everything down again.
If it was something to do with draught control would it cause a build up of pressure without raising the lift arms?
Also on the topic of the lift arms raising by themselves , they don't always go all the way up anymore when there's weight on unless the control lever is put into 'constant pumping' but then they'll hold there when it's let back to where it should be for full height.
Would you think it'd be ok to keep using the tractor or would it be safer park it until problem is solved. I have access to a neighbours tractor anyways for awhile.
I see what you mean in relation to the pto using pressure and therefore quieting everything down again.
If it was something to do with draught control would it cause a build up of pressure without raising the lift arms?
Also on the topic of the lift arms raising by themselves , they don't always go all the way up anymore when there's weight on unless the control lever is put into 'constant pumping' but then they'll hold there when it's let back to where it should be for full height.
Would you think it'd be ok to keep using the tractor or would it be safer park it until problem is solved. I have access to a neighbours tractor anyways for awhile.
JWR
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Boy that's a tough call. I do not think you will hurt anything using it but if you have the ready access to another machine maybe that makes sense, esp if this can be figured out fairly quickly.
Did it start doing that suddenly or maybe just happened that going down that road you were in a circumstance that made the noise easy to hear or sense ? It still sounds to me like a Draft Control issue, at least acts like it, but having your Draft lever all the way up should have removed that cause. Hmmm... Have you cycled the Draft control up and down a few times looking for any change ?
Another thought: Being a 290 you may have several hours on the tractor. Possibly the relief valve has gotten faulty ? I think I would try adjusting the relief valve on your hydraulics (on a Massey it is usually part of the remote valves housing.) Doesn't matter much exactly what the setting is , just see if running it up some and trying it , then down some and trying it affects the symptoms.
I'm fairly sure that you have a separate pump (for your 3pt and maybe steering) from the main pump for all the other auxilliary stuff. Anyway, 2 pumps. Wondering out loud if there might be an obstruction in some of the hydraulic flow paths. Crud buildup in filters? Other? Those are probably internal to the chassis with a port for cleanout. Also I think the 2nd hydraulic pump for the 3pt is run off the same shaft in the rear end near the PTO drive. That may offer a clue regarding the interaction of engaging/disengaging the PTO.
I suspect there are some old Massey super experienced people on here that can shed better light than me.
Did it start doing that suddenly or maybe just happened that going down that road you were in a circumstance that made the noise easy to hear or sense ? It still sounds to me like a Draft Control issue, at least acts like it, but having your Draft lever all the way up should have removed that cause. Hmmm... Have you cycled the Draft control up and down a few times looking for any change ?
Another thought: Being a 290 you may have several hours on the tractor. Possibly the relief valve has gotten faulty ? I think I would try adjusting the relief valve on your hydraulics (on a Massey it is usually part of the remote valves housing.) Doesn't matter much exactly what the setting is , just see if running it up some and trying it , then down some and trying it affects the symptoms.
I'm fairly sure that you have a separate pump (for your 3pt and maybe steering) from the main pump for all the other auxilliary stuff. Anyway, 2 pumps. Wondering out loud if there might be an obstruction in some of the hydraulic flow paths. Crud buildup in filters? Other? Those are probably internal to the chassis with a port for cleanout. Also I think the 2nd hydraulic pump for the 3pt is run off the same shaft in the rear end near the PTO drive. That may offer a clue regarding the interaction of engaging/disengaging the PTO.
I suspect there are some old Massey super experienced people on here that can shed better light than me.
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I think I'll park it and get the loan of another tractor for a bit ,just incase.
I got some work done on the tractor approximately 4 years ago , there was a new pto break and pto clutch pack fitted. It did sound a little different after that but then that's to be expected with the new parts . But it started fairly fast out of no where going down the road. The tractor has a separate steering pump anyways and I think just the one internal hydraulic pump. ( I could be wrong on that) . This tractor has a cab fitted and I couldn't see any release valve earlier when I was looking. I might have to remove the floor and seat from the cab to gain access and have a better look. How would you go about setting the release valve , is it just a matter of screwing it in or out.
I will try cycling the draught control lever a few times and will attach something to the 3 point linkage to see if it makes any difference.
I suppose then the next thing is drain the oil and check the suction screen on the pump. Hopefully theres nothing to expensive stuck in the filter
.
Thanks for your help
I got some work done on the tractor approximately 4 years ago , there was a new pto break and pto clutch pack fitted. It did sound a little different after that but then that's to be expected with the new parts . But it started fairly fast out of no where going down the road. The tractor has a separate steering pump anyways and I think just the one internal hydraulic pump. ( I could be wrong on that) . This tractor has a cab fitted and I couldn't see any release valve earlier when I was looking. I might have to remove the floor and seat from the cab to gain access and have a better look. How would you go about setting the release valve , is it just a matter of screwing it in or out.
I will try cycling the draught control lever a few times and will attach something to the 3 point linkage to see if it makes any difference.
I suppose then the next thing is drain the oil and check the suction screen on the pump. Hopefully theres nothing to expensive stuck in the filter
. Thanks for your help
JWR
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Sounds sensible to park it a bit. I think the main hydraulic pump (called auxilliary) is up along the right front side of your engine. Looks about like a slim starter motor in size and shape. You should be able to see the high pressure line going from it to the rear of your tractor where the remotes are. I assume yours is a Perkins diesel, right ?I think I'll park it and get the loan of another tractor for a bit ,just incase.
I got some work done on the tractor approximately 4 years ago , there was a new pto break and pto clutch pack fitted. It did sound a little different after that but then that's to be expected with the new parts . But it started fairly fast out of no where going down the road. The tractor has a separate steering pump anyways and I think just the one internal hydraulic pump. ( I could be wrong on that) . This tractor has a cab fitted and I couldn't see any release valve earlier when I was looking. I might have to remove the floor and seat from the cab to gain access and have a better look. How would you go about setting the release valve , is it just a matter of screwing it in or out.
I will try cycling the draught control lever a few times and will attach something to the 3 point linkage to see if it makes any difference.
I suppose then the next thing is drain the oil and check the suction screen on the pump. Hopefully theres nothing to expensive stuck in the filter
Thanks for your help
Even being a cab model, I don't think you will need any large effort moving sheet metal or floor or seat to get to the relief valve. It should be in the open rear of the tractor above the 3pt hardware and not buried inside or underneath the cab stuff.
By far the best is to get hold of a manual and see the instructions for adjusting the relief valve on your specific tractor. The owner's manual might even show that without going to the big thick shop manual.
I'm going to insert a photo of what my MF 2660 back end looks like with some labeling showing the relief valve. Yours may well be configured differently but SOMEWHERE you will have a relief valve that probably looks like this one. It has a lock nut on top and then the larger nut (really the top of the valve plunger) that you turn for adjusting. Just double click on the images and they should come up for you big enough to see. The B&W one has notes to show what is what and the color one is just a second view.
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No the 290 only has a power steering pump beside engine , everything else for hydraulics is internal in the back end.
The back of the 290 doesn't have a valve block like that , it is more similar to the 100 series tractors where thyle hydraulics are fed from a pipes coming from lift cover.
Will need to have a good luck at it later anyways. See if I can see anything like a relief valve . Thanks again
The back of the 290 doesn't have a valve block like that , it is more similar to the 100 series tractors where thyle hydraulics are fed from a pipes coming from lift cover.
Will need to have a good luck at it later anyways. See if I can see anything like a relief valve . Thanks again
JWR
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Understand. Lot of differences between the 290 and my 2660 generation machines. I'd sure try to locate a manual. Worst case go to a dealer and ask to read through one. Find what it says about adjusting the relief valve. Actually any friendly dealer's mechanic can tell you verbally in a minute's time. By the way, where are you located ?