MF35 Utility - repairs for winter

[shaeff]

Half height lift for the 99 is 2300lbs. Full height is 1500lbs Info here: Model specs (3 pages)

How's the governor on your machine working? Does it maintain RPM when under load? At some point in my machine's life, the loader lift cylinders were replaced with those of the heavier 101/102 Loaders. They're double acting and the stamped PN matches.

Have you tried cleaning the filter screen in the bottom of the reservoir where the lower suction hose attached? Perhaps it's a bit clogged, reducing flow?

Edit: I'm fairly certain that "at pins" is where the bucket pins onto the loader arms. Keep in mind that the further out from those pins your weight is, the less you'll be able to lift. My 99 actually has a slot in the lower loader arm crossmember to attach a chain BEHIND the pins, presumably for lifting a bit more weight?

 

[PatrickS2222]

Aren't I a smart cookie ... I posted that exact link 3 or 4 posts ago, also have it bookmarked and still forgot about it! :confused2:
Your "at pins" interpretation agrees with my thoughts. I reckon it's a standardised measuring point.
Good thinking though Shaeff, that was just what we needed to know. :thumbsup:
I've also got in my "one-day book" the intention to add chain grab-hooks on both that same cross-member and to the top at the outer front edges of the bucket. It's in pretty good condition overall, but a few more minor repairs are also planned.

 

[twosocks90]

Yes, the governor works fine but when I left heavy loads, the relief valve opens and starts screaming. I never even knew there was a screen in the return line until I read through the model 99 loader manual that you guys posted Now I am convinced that either the relief valve spring tension is incorrect, the screen is dirty, or the pump is worn. I am looking around for a hydraulic pressure gauge for when I put it back together.

I used to be able to lift large bales easier than I can now. Last year was the worst - I could barely get them off the ground. I'm glad I know where to look now! The manual is a big help. Too bad it's not in pdf form but I can't complain.

I'm going to put the front back together and not mess with those bushings any more. It's getting cool outside and I need this to be wrapped up in another week or so.

Patrick, you asked what's leaking. I'm leaking transmission oil into the bellhousing and then it runs out the weep hole at the bottom. It seems to be a classic failure of the seal there. I just don't have time to fix it before winter. Too many other things to do also! :confused2:

After I put the shaft back in and verify grease is still going where it should, I have to
- adjust the rear brakes
- modify the hood to fit the new radiator I installed two years ago
- rewire the front lights and finally run a wire to the rear work light
- check the hydraulic pressure and find out why I can barely lift 1,000lbs
- put everything back together!

 

[PatrickS2222]

Ensure the weep-hole is and stays completely clear, other than a split pin in it.[/U] I say this because I was exactly there a couple years ago on my good friend's FE35 "Copper-belly" plus renewing all (incredibly noisy) gearbox bearings. His tractor's bellhousing lower plate was completely covered by framing for a canopy. The bellhousing was full of gear oil up to the same level as the gearbox it seemed, to the point where it would throw oil out the timing pin hole in the LH side rear edge of the block! Clutch was oil-soaked, starter motor was full of oil as well! Both worked well again after a thorough soak, wash and rinse with pertol, then several days drying in sunlight.
If your tractor has a two-stage clutch there will be two gearbox input shafts - one is tubular - and two oil seals. One oil seal is between the tubular (PTO/3ph Hyd pump drive) and the front housing. The second seal not everyone realises is there, pressed into the tubular shaft and seals between it and the solid (gearbox drive) shaft.
The good news is that the input shaft assembly is a separate and removable housing with a neat-fitting diameter for the bore in the main casing, a flange mount and gasket. It is designed and machined to be unbolted and removed once gearbox oil has been drained and the tractor has been split at the bellhousing. The bad news is three high-load 6206series bearings, a double-row needle-roller set without a cage and several brutal-strength snap rings! :laughing:
Don't let it scare you - that is the only time I've dismantled one of those gearboxes, and I now understand why - they are very well-designed, robust, huge gears, contain seven huge high-load bearings and are quite impressive. Harry Ferguson's standards were quite high in those days! They are indestructible behind the smaller engines because the same gearboxes are also utilised in much larger models with much bigger diesel engines. :thumbsup:

Fortune favours the brave ..... read the relevant literature, check bearings and renew if seriously worn - seals won't seal where excessive freeplay is present. 620* series bearings are dirt cheap stock size bearings. Be aware where snap rings are located when pressing shafts out if dismantling is necessary, and refit them correctly on reassembly. :drink:

 

[PatrickS2222]

A correction to my previous post - 6208 bearings would be a much more appropriate size! :confused2:
Must've been a senior moment ...

 

[twosocks90]

A correction to my previous post - 6208 bearings would be a much more appropriate size! :confused2:
Must've been a senior moment ...

Ha, I totally get it.

Hydraulic pressure gauge has been ordered and should be here by the weekend. I'm expecting testing to show a lazy pressure relief spring. I'll also clean out the screen that shaeff mentioned.

 

[PatrickS2222]

Yes, springs do lose some strength over years. The oil striner screen may also play a part in this as well, although I would expect symptoms of excessive oil pick-up restriction would be slower movement regardless of pump speed, or a howling/screaming noise due to cavitation. We encounter this noise in automatic transmissions with old and therefore blocked oil pick-up filters dur to lack of transmission servicing.
Another possibility is incorrect (too thin) oil in the hydraulic system. Check a sample with someone who has experience in machinery hydraulic systems and get their opinion - somebody may have filled it with the wrong oil, or (with all the best intentions) synthetic rather than mineral hyd oil. :drink:

 

[shaeff]

bmiszuk- when you put the front hydraulic pump back on, can you snap a few pictures of how it mounts and the length of the PTO shaft? After looking at yours and others' online, I see that mine is not mounted in the factory way. Mine's got a long PTO shaft that comes all the way out to the edge of the grille guard, and the pump is mounted (unprotected!) on the OUTSIDE of my grille guard. I noticed that yours is nice and close to the sheet metal. I'd like to make mine like it should be if possible.

 

[twosocks90]

bmiszuk- when you put the front hydraulic pump back on, can you snap a few pictures of how it mounts and the length of the PTO shaft? After looking at yours and others' online, I see that mine is not mounted in the factory way. Mine's got a long PTO shaft that comes all the way out to the edge of the grille guard, and the pump is mounted (unprotected!) on the OUTSIDE of my grille guard. I noticed that yours is nice and close to the sheet metal. I'd like to make mine like it should be if possible.

Yep, will do. I plan to work on it tomorrow. It's been real busy here and I need some garage time. I'll post pics.

Another possibility is incorrect (too thin) oil in the hydraulic system.

That's a good point. I have never changed the oil in the loader. When you say mineral hyd oil, you mean the loader should use the same oil that's in the transmission/3pt lift?

Ew, the more I think about it I wonder what the inlet screen really looks like. Hopefully I can get that far tomorrow and take a look.

 

[shaeff]

Excellent, thanks! For what it's worth, I'm running Traveller's brand (from tractor supply) in my machine- in the transmission, loader, and power steering. All function perfectly, and makes it easy to have fewer fluid types to keep on hand.