2950 John Deere

[Daniel Bohnenkamp]

So I have a 2950 was pulling a 10 foot offset disc and it got so warm after an hour that moving the loader up and down would almost kill the tractor. temp readings of the engine oil was about 200 the hydraulic system at several points was over 180. 3 point still raises and lowers SVC still work at normal, steering is fine. I have had a mechanic look at everything and cannot find anything, the only suggestion he had was to put some foam in between the radiator and the hood, he thought the hot air from the fan was recirculating back to the front of the fan and just getting hotter. everything has been cleaned out, new filter new fluid. So is this normal with these type of tractors? is there anything I can check?

 

[JD Dave]

I think your temperatures are within range. A general rule is that hydraulic oil temperatures can safely run at 100 dgrees over ambient temperature. That being said, it's important to make sure EVERYTHING is clean, - coolant radiator, engine oil cooler and filter and hydraulic oil cooler. Blow out the radiators and then power wash if possible. Sometimes there's dirt and junk in the radiators that just won't blow out.

 

[Daniel Bohnenkamp]

everything has been pressure washed. I ran the tractor pulling the disc for about 10 hours and that's when I started noticing weird hydraulic issues, such as the loader shaking when trying to raise it or curl it, steering wheel would develop a lock spot and then suddenly the wheels would turn very sharply.

 

[JD Dave]

Well then you might have a hydraulic system problem. With closed-center hydraulics the pressure is maintained constantly at about 2,200 to 2,400. I forget the actual specification. An internal leak can raise the oil temperature when just sitting in the yard running. There are numerous places where the oil can leak inside so I suggest you refer to the technical manual for the tractor in this regard. I'm sure someone with more experience than me will chime in with a more refined opinion.

 

[Tx Jim]

I suggest to use laser thermometer & check temp of hyd control valves. Abnormal hot control valve is probably the problem. With hyd oil at operating temp, engine operating, 3pt raised look in hyd filler hole behind seat for moving/spraying oil. If spraying oil is seen that indiccates failed rockshaft control valve seals. What type valve controls frt end loader(scv or ind)?

 

[Daniel Bohnenkamp]

I suggest to use laser thermometer & check temp of hyd control valves. Abnormal hot control valve is probably the problem. With hyd oil at operating temp, engine operating, 3pt raised look in hyd filler hole behind seat for moving/spraying oil. If spraying oil is seen that indiccates failed rockshaft control valve seals. What type valve controls frt end loader(scv or ind)?

I put a new valve and on the out put of the svc control "box" to run the loader. I also had both control boxes rebuilt, I will get it hot again and look in the filler hole. it does have a cab and mfwd

the mechanic had it running at his shop for over 6 hours and never got hot, just when putting the tractor under a load. Trying to figure out if there is an issue or just not enough tractor to pull a 10 foot disc and a 15 foot rotary mower

 

[James1911]

JD 2950 with cab and AC were not the best engineered combination for hot weather and heavy loads. I ran a 2950 in FL and had over 17,000 hours on it when I sold it. Was very tough tractor but when I worked it hard I washed out the radiator each day. It did not boil over but temp gauge ran hotter than I liked. I will say the engine was never any problems other than water pump, alternator and a very unreliable AC system for a hot climate. I also ran a 6400 and the engine heat problem was not like the 2950 but the ac system was also subpar.

Hopefully your 2950 heat problem can be rectified.

 

[Scott 730]

What kind of valve are you using to operate the loader?

 

[Daniel Bohnenkamp]

cross valve, I did look in the fill hole and nothing is spraying,
I am going to remove the filter and see if there is any junk in it and try to find the other screen to see if there is anything in it

 

[used red MN]

I think this may have been where Scott was going. Is the valve for your loader a closed center valve? If it was on there very long in the same configuration I would think it almost has to be right. If not the closed center system is pumping the oil around constantly which is something it is NOT DESIGNED to do.
Did the tractor drive fine as if the load of moving the machine had less of an effect on the engine then operating the hydraulics? If not and any load on the engine bogged it down then it really sounds to me like you have more of a fuel delivery problem. Not sure if a 50 series would have a sensor for low fuel pressure to alert you of that issue, in other words letting you know the filters are plugging.

 

[Tx Jim]

If frt end loader control has closed center conversion plug inner seal could have blown recently allowing valve to revert to open center. Simple test is disconnect FEL control valve from tractor, cap orifice on tractor where hose was removed, with FEL control levers start engine & no oil should exit open hose

 

[used red MN]

If frt end loader control has closed center conversion plug inner seal could have blown recently allowing valve to revert to open center. Simple test is disconnect FEL control valve from tractor, cap orifice on tractor where hose was removed, with FEL control levers start engine & no oil should exit open hose

Tx Jim, respectfully, I may be wrong but I think you misstated or left something out of your reply. I understand what you want him to do, that is to prove no oil is returning to the tractor when the loader valve is pressurized with the tractor running. As in a closed-center valve should hold flow blocked until a lever is moved to actuate a cylinder. I am not familiar with the terms you are referring to in the valve connections. The “orifice” may be the point for the connection of return oil from the valve, then that makes sense. But when you say “test is disconnect FEL control valve from tractor” to me that sounds like you want the loader valve completely isolated from the tractor which I don’t believe should be the case.

 

[Tx Jim]

Thanks for bringing my oversight to my attention. I failed to state remove FEL control valve return hose from tractor & cap opening (orifice) on tractor where return hose was connected to tractor". Then proceed with " with FEL control levers in neutral position start engine & no oil should exit open return hose