No movement in lift cylinder

[Kirk-NJ]

I have an old (1963) ford 4000 forklift. I don't use it that much, mostly to move logs. The lift cylinder does leak a little when used. It was working ok just before the winter. anyway I started it up a couple of weeks ago and now the lift cylinder won't lift. The side cylinder works fine as does the tilt cylinders. I though maybe some water might have gotten in to the top of the cylinder and there might be a blockage but the weather has been warm so I'm thinking it might be something else. When I move the lever I see the hydraulic hose move as if it's got some pressure but no movement. Any clue what to check first.

Thanks, Kirk

 

[J_J]

Check the QD's if you have them.

If you have a good pump and flow to a cyl, it is going to move.

Put a hyd gage in a tee at the IN port of the FEL valve and use it to monitor and trounle shoot the hyd system.

 

[Kirk-NJ]

I'll have to see if I can Barrow a hyd gage from a friend.
thanks, kirk

 

[wdchyd]

It's hard to see from the pix but.......does it have a hose connection on the bottom of the lift cylinder and another light duty one on the top near the gland nut?
If so, try to lift the load with the top hose off....if oil is pouring out of that top hose connection and the cyl is NOT lifting then your packing (seals) are blown

If there is only one hose connected to the bottom then you have other problems

 

[Kirk-NJ]

I have a hose to the bottom of the cylinder which has a flow valve on it and a hose at the top of the cylinder. I will try that and remove the top hose. I did disconnect the hose at the valve body and with my figure over the hole it blew it off when tractor was running and lever was moved to the lift position.

Thanks, Kirk

 

[J_J]

Did it blow your finger off with air or fluid?

Did you try and open the flow valve fully to the left.

 

[wdchyd]

Please don't blow your finger off.......hydraulics can be messy but also dangerous if you are using your fingers:confused2:

 

[Kirk-NJ]

I believe it might be the flow valve. With hose and flow valve off at the cylinder and lifting lever moved to position it just drips out. Take the flow valve off and steading stream of oil with come out when lever is moved to the to the lift position.
I took the valve apart and it has a snap ring on the inside which I would guess would be to stop the valve inside from going past a certain point. it would also appear the the valve inside should move back and forth with pressure from the oil. This is not happening and i believe the valve maybe stuck. I have removed the snap ring from the inside. I have tried to find some info on the valve but have not found any.

Kirk

 

[wdchyd]

That's a flow control safety valve....it controls or locks the flow if a hose breaks

 

[Kirk-NJ]

Are these still available? Can I run it without the valve?

Thanks, kirk