MF 1030 Lost Hydraulics Suddenly

[RG_Upton]

Current Symptoms:
No Tach/Hour meter
Three-point lift not operating
FEL not operating

I was using the FEL to pull t-posts to move a fence line. Tractor had been running fine, and suddenly on the fourth post as I hit the lift, a whining noise began and the FEL stalled. The bucket lowered via gravity power when the controls were moved. The rear implement also lowered via gravity power when the controls were moved.

Hydraulic fluid looks OK. Filter has recently been changed and fluid level is OK.

Does anyone have any ideas about the cause of all this? I am hoping (I think) that the gear pump has not suddenly gone. The sound it is making and sudden lack of an operable tach leads me to think that a gear got out of place.

Any insights are appreciated.

Thanks,

Russ

 

[JerryG]

Check ALL of the quick disconnects. They are the single biggest problem with compact tractors hydraulic systems. The fluid continually flows throughout all of the valves and back to the sump. If there is a break anywhere, everything can stop or slow down. Even if they look to be connected, they can still be disconnected enough to cause a problem. Physically check each one.

 

[RG_Upton]

Will do. I only have QDs on the loader so it should be pretty quick.

I plan to find a way to remove the FEL (should be fun without the hydraulics) and send the tractor to the doctor this weekend if it doesn't appear to be something simple.

Thanks,

Russ

 

[JerryG]

Let us know what turns up.

 

[RG_Upton]

Update:

I dropped the FEL and released the QDs. No change to the overall problem and no leaks at the QDs either. I spoke with a mechanic who used to work exclusively on these and similar machines and has a good deal of knowledge about the machines without even looking at one. Long story short -- my wife will drop the tractor off at his shop this afternoon after work.

I'll let you know how things end up. The mechanic agreed with me that since the PS and Hyd. pumps are suddenly neither working and both are on the same assembly at the front-left-bottom of the engine it is probably a shaft/gear/keeper that gave way stopping power to the pumps. This same thing is probably part of what runs the tach since that is suddenly not working as well.

Russ

 

[RG_Upton]

Update...

The tractor is back from the mechanic's. It took a while for a couple of reasons:he only does tractor work sporadically on the side of his auto mechanics shop, and parts took a while. He was a mechanic at a M-F dealer at the time my 1030 was imported, though, and has a thorough knowledge of the equipment.

The hydraulics problem was related to the gear drive for the pump. The engine was recently rebuilt (prior to me buying the tractor) and whoever rebuilt the engine failed to include one of the two bearings on the shaft to the hydraulic pump/power steering pump head. So, a new bearing to keep everything where it should be and I am back in business.

Now I just need to clear some other projects off my plate so I can get some seat time and learn how to really use this thing....

Russ

 

[scott_vt]

RG,
Thanks for the update on your MF 1030. I have been running my MF 1040 for the past 2 1/2 yrs and now have 1430 hours on it. Its still a strong running tractor. Just wondering how many hours on that machine before someone did the engine rebuild ???

Thanks again.

 

[RG_Upton]

The engine rebuild was done at approx. 750 hours due to operator error. Apparently the gentleman who owned the tractor was renting it out to folks and one of the people who rented it continued to operate it for a while after a radiator hose broke. The resulting cracked head and other issues were addressed during the engine rebuild.

The previous owner also indicated that he was no longer leasing manual shift, gear drive equipment to folks since he had to replace the clutch on this 1030 at least twice during the short time he rented it out. Apparently folks who leased his equipment (I assume they are novice users) have a much harder time damaging the hydrostatic units.

Russ