Case VAI hydraulic pump questions

[Dreadnought]

I'm going to look at a VAI in a few days. The owner says everything works except the hydraulic pump.
It's the pump up by the radiator. Worst case is it needs a new pump. Are there other scenarios that are possible
such as it needs a rebuild kit, if there is such a thing? I have no experience with hydraulic pumps so any insights would be appreciated.
It's a nice looking tractor. Looks like it had a paint job about 10 years ago, so it has a nice broken in look, not show ready, but very presentable.
Most tractors I get are very tired looking.

 

[RJKeith]

If it is the one I think it is, it is a pretty simple gear pump. Four needle bearings.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I'm going to look at a VAI in a few days. The owner says everything works except the hydraulic pump.
It's the pump up by the radiator. Worst case is it needs a new pump. Are there other scenarios that are possible
such as it needs a rebuild kit, if there is such a thing? I have no experience with hydraulic pumps so any insights would be appreciated.
It's a nice looking tractor. Looks like it had a paint job about 10 years ago, so it has a nice broken in look, not show ready, but very presentable.
Most tractors I get are very tired looking.

I sold a late style VAC parts tractor which had a complete "Eagle hitch" system on it, so those pumps must be around.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

I sold a late style VAC parts tractor which had a complete "Eagle hitch" system on it, so those pumps must be around.

I was going to add and forgot- the later style VAC had a filter in the torque housing which my early style doesn't have. I assume the VAI would have followed the same construction. Possibly that would affect pump action?

 

[DRussell]

I'm going to look at a VAI in a few days. The owner says everything works except the hydraulic pump.
It's the pump up by the radiator. Worst case is it needs a new pump. Are there other scenarios that are possible
such as it needs a rebuild kit, if there is such a thing? I have no experience with hydraulic pumps so any insights would be appreciated.
It's a nice looking tractor. Looks like it had a paint job about 10 years ago, so it has a nice broken in look, not show ready, but very presentable.
Most tractors I get are very tired looking.

My guess is the pump is fine, and there is no oil in the torque tube which is the hydraulic reservoir. If it's like pretty much every other VA series Case out there, the seal is bad between the torque tube and the transmission which is allowing the oil to go out of the torque tube back to the transmission/rear end.

The fill/check point for the torque tube is a pipe plug on the left side of the torque tube in front of the transmission. Back that pipe plug out and put a straw/shine a light in there and see if there is any oil in the torque tube. If there isn't any, or it's very low, add some hydraulic oil and the pump will probably take off and start working.

 

[Dreadnought]

Great suggestions all. Thanks for the information.
I'll follow up after I look at it.

 

[Dreadnought]

I gave the tractor a quick once over. The owner is gone for a few days so I didn't start it.
The torque tube reservoir is about 3 inches below the fill point. Thanks DRussell.
Here's a few pics. It's unusual in Maine to find old tractors with intact grill and fenders.
Most will have been used in the woods and have been up close and personal with trees and brush.
Looks like it's a 1947. Here's a few pics. Not sure why I can't flip the last 3 around.

 

[DRussell]

Nice looking unit. Without an eagle hitch what is the hydraulic pump running? I see no external remotes or eagle hitch on it, unless it has something on the left side.

Just curious, what are they asking for it?

 

[Dreadnought]

I’m not sure what it was running. I just figured it was a mid mount lift or front to back action like a Farmall Super A, H etc.

 

[Dingo3]

Here ya go.

 

[Dreadnought]

Thanks for that Dingo. I don’t know why those couldn’t be rotated and stay that way on my end.

 

[Joe (Wa)]

1947 model VAI. It has a SA control valve most likely for something that drops by gravity and with hydraulic lift. (belly mower?) . More likely a valve problem than the pump. Low hydraulic level, baring an external leak, is usually the pump shaft leaking into the cam gear cover and dropping into the engine crankcase. In that case if the pump hasn't been run dry for too long probably can salvage.

Link to an on-line: VAI parts catalog
SA control valve pages 97-100.
Pump shaft seal page 84 p/n O4244AB sub to A26778

 

[Dreadnought]

So I did buy the tractor. And I've got some other questions. Lots of the wiring connections needs to be cleaned and some wires replaced and I'm doing that now. I should add I'm very electrically challenged. This question is about the light switch. It has 4 places and I'm going out on a limb and guessing all the way in is off. What are the other 3 and which order should they be in? I have head lights and I have a red tail light.
It's an interesting switch. It has a lot going on. There's the 4 position switch, an in-line fuse, a wire wrapped section I'm not sure what it is, and a maybe temperature controlled contact under the wire wrapped section. As always, thanks for any help.

 

[BarryfromIA]

When all works as advertised the switch controls the rate of charge. There is no voltage regulator.

 

[Dreadnought]

Thanks for Barry. I just found an old post that explained the switch. There is a lot going on there. Thanks again for your reply.

 

[whansen777]

Speaking of Hydraulics on the VAI, specifically the Lift Cylinder for the Rockshaft. Does anyone know where to get the cup seal and O-rings? And does anyone have a depth control valve that controls the Lift Cylinder? Big Ask

 

[used red MN]

Speaking of Hydraulics on the VAI, specifically the Lift Cylinder for the Rockshaft. Does anyone know where to get the cup seal and O-rings? And does anyone have a depth control valve that controls the Lift Cylinder? Big Ask

According to the Messicks parts sight the Case part number V20353 cross references to A30757, which has been replaced with PN70923855.
Messicks Case VAI parts catalog
You say "cup" it doesn't show anything like that, only 2 of those orings. If you need the piston that will need to be acquired from a salvage unit.

 

[Jim.ME]

The "cup" (V-22900) is in the small insert on that page. I would interpret that drawing as your cylinder uses the O-rings, OR the cup seal, not both. Do you have it apart and can see you need both? That should be answered before you purchase.

Search with the part number (V-22900) and you will find vendors that have them, the sites are competitors to PartsASAP and will not link properly. You could call YT and see if they have a replacement.

Edit: I will also suggest in the future you start a new thread of your own rather than tag onto an someone else's old thread about a different problem.

 

[Joe (Wa)]

Leather cup piston was replaced with the o-ring piston during the 1950 model year. You may have either piston in there over the years. John Saeli (315) 585-9826 probably has the o-rings and may have a source for a leather cup but they seem to be like hens teeth now. Otherwise measure the lands and google an o-ring chart for size nr to order.

Leather cups are a b---h to install so do it like this instruction.

 

[John Saeli]

Leather cup piston was replaced with the o-ring piston during the 1950 model year. You may have either piston in there over the years. John Saeli (315) 585-9826 probably has the o-rings and may have a source for a leather cup but they seem to be like hens teeth now. Otherwise measure the lands and google an o-ring chart for size nr to order.

Leather cups are a b---h to install so do it like this instruction.

We stock both the O Rings and the Cups.