65 Massey Hydraulics

[Shadow]

Strange hydraulics problem! I have a frontend loader mounted on my 65 gas tractor. It is hooked up with quick couplers to the second lever in front of seat. (other lever is 3 pt. hitch). I lock the lever back and run my front end loader with its own levers.

After a year or so of this setup, After a short time, it varys but I suddenly lose all hydraulics. No 3 pt hitch nothing. I shut the tractor down , come back in a couple hours and everything works!

Its not from getting hot, today minus 16. Warmed up the tractor operated the frontend loader maybe a half dozen times, then nothing. Oil ice cold yet.

The oil is often milky. But I recently drained the system and refilled with new oil.A trans/hydraulic oil not sure of the weight.

Driving me nuts! The front end loader is not very powerful, but the 3 pt hitch seems very strong yet. So I'm confident the pump is good. But what causes it to quit? Thanks for any tips.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If the oil is milky, it means water is getting in somehow. There could be chunks of ice blocking or getting stuck in the pump intake or valving and after shutting the tractor off the ice drains back out because there is no pressure on it. Dave

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi,
I would agree with Dave about the water. You have almost answered the question yourself there.
Look closely at the rubber boots at the bottom of the gear levers. This is the normal place for ingress of water if the boots are perished or non-existant. These low temperatures may be more normal for you but here in the UK we are having to adapt to it being a lot colder than in previous years and learning as we go.
It is quite possible that there may be some sludge blocking the filter on the pump or at the inlet. Remove the drain plugs at the bottom of the gearbox and rear centre casing and check for water only coming out. If you have milky oil only there may just be enough moisture in that to freeze. It should be changed as soon as you are able.
DavidP, South Wales

 

[Shadow]

Thanks for the tips, So there is a filter? Or screen in the bottom?

Definatly moisture in the oil but this is a summertime occurance also so may be more than just moisture

I'll probably have to remove front end loader lines to drain properly .

 

[Eric in IL]

I assume you are aware that when the clutch pedal is depressed the hydraulic pump stops ??

If so and this is a summertime issue also, may be some other obstruction (other than ice) is intermittently blocking the pump inlet. Then again, might be something else but this would be a reasonable place to start looking for the problem.

My 65 is a 1960 model and has NO filter or screen on the pump inlet. I believe I have read that some of the 65"s DID have a filter/strainer though.

 

[69val6]

Do you have a shutoff valve on the LH side of the transmission to shutoff oil flow to the 3ph lift cylinder? Mine has a hose that is about 12" long with a shutoff valve in it. With the valve open, the remote valves work for only about 30 seconds or so. With it closed, the hydraulics work great. I know I have an internal leak in the rearend because the 3pt. drops as soon as the engine is shutoff. It should stay up several hours at least before dropping. What I"m saying is that you may have an internal leak inside the rearend from the standpipe o-rings or 3ph lift cylinder. Yours may work until the fluid thins out enough and starts leaking off. Just a thought.