TaskMaster Hydraulics

[BatocheBob]

The hydraulics on my TaskMaster TM432 have quit working. I have had problems in the past with cold weather but with a little persuasion I could get it warmed up enough to work. Yesterday I did not have any luck. I have both a front bucket and a 3 point blade; neither worked.

I'm hoping some one might point me to some resources that would help me troubleshoot and fix my hydraulics. I think I can figure out how to change the transmission/hydraulic oil and there is a canister on one of the steel hydraulic lines that I presume is a filter that I will look at. Also, there is a plug at the top front of the transmission block (ahead of the hydraulic lock valve). I'm wondering if I can install a pressure gauge in there to monitor the hydraulics. I also have a front end loader that came stock with the tractor. It would be good to have some documentation on the valve for this loader and also how the hydraulic locking valve works in distributing the oil. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[mini14]

first check that the pump is still coupled to the motor properly.

 

[Kernopelli]

Since it appears to be cold weather related, I would check the hyd. suction screens and filters for ice. Condensation in the oil will freeze and then plug the flow through screens going back to the pump.

 

[BatocheBob]

Since it appears to be cold weather related, I would check the hyd. suction screens and filters for ice. Condensation in the oil will freeze and then plug the flow through screens going back to the pump.

Daryl,

Thanks for your advice. I have seen the cylinder attached to the steel hydraulic lines and assume this is the filter. I have attached a heater directly to this cylinder but no luck so far. According to the parts book I have there should be an end cap but there is none. I could try and disassemble the hydraulic lines and get at it at that end but that is stretching my abilities. Also where is the hydraulic pump itself?

Unfortunately the dealer I bought from is long gone and I don't think there are any other dealers in Canada. Again, thanks for your help.

 

[mrmikey]

The Jinma 204 that I had was a bear in the cold weather for 10-15 minutes depending on the temp. Only way I could get the backblade up for the first while was to raise the loader arms and as I was lowering the arms, raise the back blade. Oil was too thick (AW32) as well as having a suction filter which IMHO is a recipe for bad things to happen if you're not diligent about changing them. Saying that I made sure I changed the suction filter every 15-20 hours maximum and didn't work it over idle until the oil warmed up.
The oil not having much of a head to the pump doesn't help matters either...............Mike

 

[BatocheBob]

The Jinma 204 that I had was a bear in the cold weather.............Mike

Thanks for your comments Mike. I'm still fighting with it and downloaded the manual for yours to see if there were any similarities. I guess none of these manuals offer much for repair info and unfortunately it does not look like there are any dealers around for the TaskMaster. I have never looked at the hydraulic filter, which is bad on my part, but in my defense it does not appear to be a very serviceable part. When the weather warms up a bit I'll have to try and take it apart. That means uncoupling the steel lines from the system and then get the end cap off and see what that reveals. Right now we're enjoying a polar vortex with temperatures dipping down to the -30sC. Again, Thanks

 

[BatocheBob]

Well I bit the bullet and disassembled the hydraulic filter. Nothing notable and I'm not sure if this is going to fix anything. Does anyone have a cross-reference for a North american filter for the TaskMaster TM432 hydraulics? Thanks

 

[BatocheBob]

I appreciate all the input to date but since I still have not resolved my issue I'm hoping to breathe another round of responses from people who have experience with TaskMaster tractors. I have learned that TaskMaster went bankrupt in 2007 so I don't expect there are too many taskmaster owners around. I also know that Dong feng, who manufactured the TaskMaster brand, also has manufactured a number of other brands that might have some similarities and any knowledge of these tractors would be helpful.

The suggestion was made earlier to check the coupling on the hydraulic pumps. At this time of year I am reluctant to go too far into this without more information. The tractor is still of some use, even without working hydraulics, so I'm reluctant to do anything that may leave me without a tractor. I understand that there are no service manuals for the TaskMaster or many of the other similar Chinese tractors but I'm hoping there is someone out there that knows how these systems work. The hydraulics appears to be powered by two pumps (left & right)with a drive housing in between. if anyone knows anything about this I'd appreciate your insight. Thanks