To30 Lift will raise but will not lower

[Timberlake]

As mentioned in my other threads I am restoring my to30. Its been sitting under the pines here in North Carolina for 16-17 years with out moving. When I raise the lift it seems to respond fine and come on up. When lowering the lift it goes very slow and only travels a few inches. This morning when I checked the tractor the lift had lowered all the way down. If lifted fast and now cant get it down. I will check to see if it is down in the am. Keep in mind I have done nothing to the Trans.Hydro fluid. Thanks
 

[Jerry/MT]

The control valve is most likely stuck. With the engine off, pull the RH side plate and look for the "H" shaped control fork hanging down. Reach down and make sure the "T" shaped control valve lever is in the "H" shaped control fork sockets. Pull back on the control valve and the lift should drop.
There is most likely a lot of crud in fluid and it"s probably milky colored from water. If so, you need to replace it and it would be a good idea to clean the sumps since the tractor has sat outside for so. Jeff(OH) has a cleaning method and it"s in the archives
 

[Timberlake]

Jerry. Your talking about the rh round plate where the dip stick goes correct. I need to take both left and right off anyway cause they seem to be leaking. Any advice for takeing off the left side with the pto handle. I assume that they have gaskets of rubber seals behind them that are old and hard. Thanks
 

[Mike Lucas]

Where is the Jeff[OH] blurb on cleaning out the trans/rearend/hyd. pump on a TO? I'd like to read it.
 

[John(UK)]

You may find that the Lever is worn on the end that touches the Control Fork inside, in fact you may find that both parts are worn i.e. the lever and the Control Fork.Remove the Right Side Cover and with the Engine running and the PTO in gear, move the Lever, and the Control Fork that hangs down from the top should move back-wards and for-wards, it should not bend in the middle, it should remain straight at all times. If it bends the Control valve is sticking. If it moves as it is supposed to do, to get it to drop, use a long screwdriver and try to move the Control Fork to the rear (GENTLY) that should make it drop, if it does it is most likely the wear in the Lever or the Lever is not adjusted correctly. I suppose that you have checked the Lever and the place at which the 3 point starts to lower. With the Lever at the top, measure 2-1/2" from the front of the Lever and mark the Quadrant side rail and the 3 point should start to drop, when the Rear of the Lever is level with the line you just marked on the Quadrant. If it varies from this that could cause your problem too.
If you remove the Quadrant and Lever from the Tractor and look at the end of the shaft and also check if there is wear in the "tube" or housing in which the Lever shaft operates. If there is wear here then the Lever is not moving the Control Fork and the Control Valve, far enough. If the Fork moves but the 3 point does not do anything, then the Valve could have become detached at the bottom of the Fork.If you want more information about all this just email me and I will send it.DON'T PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE OIL..John(UK)...fergusontractors@hotmail.com
 

[Jason S.]

My TO20 would do the same thing...I ended up replacing the control valve. Where it had sit for a long time before I got it...water in the hydraulic oil had kind of pitted the control valve. Even though it was just a few spots...it would stick. I replaced it and readjusted everything and it has been fine ever since.
 

[Jerry/MT]

I posted a note asking Jeff that question. I did an archive search and couldn"t find it!
 

[phil(va)]

Your fluid should only be up to the bottom of he round inspection plates. If they are leaking, you may have too much fluid.