to-30 3pt lift help. How does this thing come apart?

[somanytractors]

My 3pt quit working. I posted on it some time ago but I wound up working on another one and now I can't find the post.
Any way. It was out of fluid but it also had a backhoe attached to it incorrectly so it could be something broken.
It lifts the arms with nothing attached but its so weak I can push them back down by hand.
It has been filled with fresh oil and has ran at various speeds for at least an hour and it still doesn't work.

So now I'm trying to get it apart.
What is the correct way to remove the top 3pt cover from the tractor?
I removed all the bolts {except the 4 studs in the center with nuts on them}
And I pulled the one side cover.
Is there any linkage that needs disconnected before lifting it?
Should the 4 nuts on the studs be removed?

Also, I read in my ford 600 manual about priming the pump by removing a plug on the bottom cover. The to-30 has the same plug so I'm guessing its the same process {pressurizing the case}
I think I might throw the cover back on and put the bolts back in and try priming it.
Is it possible that it needs primed after an hour of running, and it does lift just with no strength?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
John

 

[ruffdog]

My 3pt quit working. I posted on it some time ago but I wound up working on another one and now I can't find the post.

Your past posts can be found under your profile's past posts.

 

[shaeff]

I’d try replacing the stand pipe o-rings and backup washers first. It’s quick and easy. If that’s not the problem, then you can dig into the case.

 

[somanytractors]

Thanks Ruffdog. Found them.

Thanks for the advice Shaeff.
How do I get to them? I'm not sure how to get the top 3pt cover off, or what the stand pipe is.
Is that what connects the pump to the lift cylinder?
I really don't think its the pump itself. I believe it either needs primed, or its an o-ring somewhere, or maybe the relief valve.
The lift has always been quick and strong till it ran out of fluid.

Thanks
John

 

[shaeff]

There is a small two bolt plate on the lift cover, if you’re sitting on the machine, it’ll be on the front right side. I think the bolts for it are 9/16 or 5/8”. When you remove that small plate, usually the stand pipe will come out with it. If not, pluck it out and check the o-rings.

If it ran completely out of fluid, there is a chance that the pump is trashed from lack of lubrication depending how long it was run like that. But we will start with the easy stuff first.

Full on fluid?

Stand pipe o-rings and backup (spiral cut plastic washers) washers in place?

Filter (if equipped) free of debris?

Correct fluid used?

 

[somanytractors]

There is no plate.
I've attached a pic of the top.

It has the correct fluid and it was full. I don't think there is a filter unless its internal.

 

[shaeff]

Ah nuts, I was thinking TO-35. (Pretty sure they have the plate I’m thinking of)

Yours won’t have a filter either. Let me do some digging around for ya, I’ll post back with my findings unless someone else beats me to it.

 

[Jerry/MT]

My 3pt quit working. I posted on it some time ago but I wound up working on another one and now I can't find the post.
Any way. It was out of fluid but it also had a backhoe attached to it incorrectly so it could be something broken.
It lifts the arms with nothing attached but its so weak I can push them back down by hand.
It has been filled with fresh oil and has ran at various speeds for at least an hour and it still doesn't work.

So now I'm trying to get it apart.



What is the correct way to remove the top 3pt cover from the tractor?
I removed all the bolts {except the 4 studs in the center with nuts on them}
And I pulled the one side cover.
Is there any linkage that needs disconnected before lifting it?
Should the 4 nuts on the studs be removed?

Also, I read in my ford 600 manual about priming the pump by removing a plug on the bottom cover. The to-30 has the same plug so I'm guessing its the same process {pressurizing the case}
I think I might throw the cover back on and put the bolts back in and try priming it.
Is it possible that it needs primed after an hour of running, and it does lift just with no strength?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
John

For about $20 you can get a factory service manual for your T0-30. Get that and read it before you proceed. Yes you need to disconnect the top link feed back to the control valve and some springs and the control fork before you lift the before you try to lift. It's been a while since I looked at that system but it's well described in the factory service manual.

If you hadn't proceeded this far, there are some checks you could have made to trouble shoot the problem. It could be a leaking lift cylinder, a leaky side plate gasket on the pump, leaking standpipe O-rings, or even a stuck open safety valve (very noisy).

 

[somanytractors]

Hi Jerry.
I got an IT manual on ebay. Amazingly small book but it looks like it has the info I need.
I am going to do a little trouble shooting before tearing into it now that I have the right manual.
The manual does cover some trouble shooting.
I don't know if it has enough trouble shooting but its a start.
Thanks

 

[Jerry/MT]

You would be better off with the factory manual because it is more detailed and has the system descriptions in it. The Ferguson factory manual is usually available on ebay also. To-3 Ferguson shop manaual | eBay

Good luck!