185 Hyd Issue

[NDCurt]

Hydralics, loader and power steering, aren't working. Acts like it is low on oil but it's notbut the hyd oil is bubbly. Local hydralic shop says it is sucking air someplace. I have a few of the parts coming, seals on the tubes, elbow hose coming out of the pump and a few others. Is there something that is typical that I should be looking at in addition to those things? Hoping it is not the pump. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Harry in Ky]

The sump under the tractor where the hydraulic pump suction and return tubes attached has a screen that could be dirty. That can cause enough restriction to make a difference. If you're going to drain the oil to replace seals and hoses, pull that cover off as well and check the screen.

 

[NDCurt]

Yes, have done that. Waiting on the parts that were more available than I thought they might be. Rubber seals on the big tubes were pretty dry and compressed and the tube right under the pump was the same. Which side is the intake for the pump? Big tube on the left side that goes into the bottom of the pump I'm assuming. Thanks

 

[DrAllis]

Shaft seal on the front of the hydraulic pump is a common place for air entry. And of course, the pump itself may need to be rebuilt/resealed internally.

 

[NDCurt]

Dr Allis, Any way to know that that is the issue? I am still waiting for one of the tube seals (tomorrow) so will know more after that's in and I try it.

 

[DrAllis]

(quoted from post at 15:34:22 10/28/22) Dr Allis, Any way to know that that is the issue? I am still waiting for one of the tube seals (tomorrow) so will know more after that's in and I try it.

There is no way to absolutely know for sure. When you're working on tractors that are 40 or 50 years old, oftentimes the history of previous repairs isn't known. If I looked at the pump, I could tell if it has ever been taken apart before (or not). If it is original and untouched, I wouldn't waste my time and just tear it apart and reseal it, which would include the shaft seal. With the pump removed from the engine, if it turns over by hand easily, It needs to be resealed. They should have definite drag on them. Rebuilding/resealing one of those pumps ain't for a novice repairman. There are certain steps that need to be followed for a good repair. That pump assembly is actually THREE pumps bolted together.

 

[NDCurt]

Agree that rebuilding the pump is not for us wannabe mechanics. Got all the rubber pieces replaced and initially it worked fine for a couple minutes then acted like it was out of oil. It isn't. Pump has never been worked on. Decided I would take the pump off and get rebuilt so pulled the loader (runs off tractor hydraulics). Power steering and 3 pt work fine and as I understand those run off a separate part of the pump but could this be an issue in the loader? Before I pull the pump I am going to hook something else to the hyd to see how it operates it. Can just part of the pump be bad? Mostly committed to getting it rebuilt but wish I had a backup as I use it every day.

 

[DrAllis]

(quoted from post at 19:06:20 10/29/22) Agree that rebuilding the pump is not for us wannabe mechanics. Got all the rubber pieces replaced and initially it worked fine for a couple minutes then acted like it was out of oil. It isn't. Pump has never been worked on. Decided I would take the pump off and get rebuilt so pulled the loader (runs off tractor hydraulics). Power steering and 3 pt work fine and as I understand those run off a separate part of the pump but could this be an issue in the loader? Before I pull the pump I am going to hook something else to the hyd to see how it operates it. Can just part of the pump be bad? Mostly committed to getting it rebuilt but wish I had a backup as I use it every day.

HOLD ON THERE BUNKY !! Your story is now changing. First it was getting air in the system, now you're saying the steering is OK fine !! AND the 3-point is fine !! You can't have air in the system and then have all these functions working fine !! The 3-point and the loader functions use the same pump section. You say the 3-point works fine. Going up and down lifting nothing isn't any kind of test. Hang a ton on it and tell me if it really lifts or not. Power steering is usually where air is thee most noticeable and you say steering is OK. I'm confused. Can't offer good advice with bad info to work with. Which dipstick are you checking the hydraulic oil ??

This post was edited by DrAllis on 10/30/2022 at 05:03 am.

 

[NDCurt]

You are correct it has changed some with not a
good test. When the issue started the loader and
power steering were not working and didn't have
anything on the 3pt. Now after the seals etc the
loader worked a bit then wouldn't. After I got
the loader off and backed out it seemed like the
power steering was ok and like you said 3pt
going up and down isn't much of a test and it
only ran long enough to move it closer to the
shop. I will do more testing without the loader
involved and see what happens. Checking the
hydraulic dipstick.

 

[DrAllis]

Do us both a favor, to eliminate something as being the problem. Remove the hydraulic dipstick (on the left sitting in the seat), pull out the cotter pin and remove the ball inside the tube and throw it away. Then, wash out the top of the dipstick the best you can externally, exposing the two slots just under the cap that are probably filled with dirt. Submerge the hex top in water or fuel and covering the cotter pin holes with your fingers, blow up thru the tube making sure that the wire mesh inside the hex top isn't plugged, not letting air go in and out of the hydraulic compartment. I sometimes have to melt the brass holding on the cap and dig out the wire mesh and the baffle washer and fully clean things from rust to let it breathe properly. This can and will affect how the hydraulic pump performs. Regardless, throw away that ball after removing the cotter pin. I've probably thrown away several hundred of them in the last 45 years and never reinstalled one !!

 

[NDCurt]

I will do that. I did put weight on the
3pt and it seemed to work normally also
hooked up to the hydraulic rake and ran a
bit also normal power steering seems to
work normally. Guess I will put loader
back on and see what it does.

 

[NDCurt]

Dr Allis, first thanks for all the help I learned a few things. Everything seems to be working as it should (knock on wood). Could it have been that there was enough air in the system that just needed to work itself out? Initially it would only raise the loader a foot or so with power steering not working. With the new seals etc the loader (run off one hydralic outlet through a 3 spool valve to the loader) was still acting funky but power steering and 3pt seemed to function. Worked it a bit moving a few bales around and it seems to be working like normally. I guess I'll go with it until it acts up again. Thanks

 

[DrAllis]

(quoted from post at 21:02:59 10/31/22) Dr Allis, first thanks for all the help I learned a few things. Everything seems to be working as it should (knock on wood). Could it have been that there was enough air in the system that just needed to work itself out? Initially it would only raise the loader a foot or so with power steering not working. With the new seals etc the loader (run off one hydralic outlet through a 3 spool valve to the loader) was still acting funky but power steering and 3pt seemed to function. Worked it a bit moving a few bales around and it seems to be working like normally. I guess I'll go with it until it acts up again. Thanks

Could be, especially the way you are directing the oil flow (thru a remote valve , thru the loader, back thru the remote valve and then to sump). Was the dipstick breather plugged ??