DB 4600 hydraulic issues

[rwandrews]

I have a David Brown 4600 that has sat for quite a while. Got it running good when I went and picked it up from my dad‘s place when I first cranked it up the lift arms would raise now after having it at my place, I can’t seem to get to raise. The fluid had a lot of water in it. I have flushed with oil once and now trying to flush with kerosene as lift arms still aren’t functioning. When I switch the 3 mode switch to draft or height or external I do feel differences in the way the height lever operates but not familiar with how it should feel on this tractor. Also one more thing. In the picture you’ll see what I believe to be the transmission end of a gear selector/lever. I found this on top of the hydraulic filter, but have driven it recently to know that low/neutral work as do reverse/1/2. I haven’t tried high recently but suspect that rod is either something else or has been in there a while? What are y’all’s thoughts. I have zero experience with David browns.

 

[used red MN]

I have a David Brown 4600 that has sat for quite a while. Got it running good when I went and picked it up from my dad‘s place when I first cranked it up the lift arms would raise now after having it at my place, I can’t seem to get to raise. The fluid had a lot of water in it. I have flushed with oil once and now trying to flush with kerosene as lift arms still aren’t functioning. When I switch the 3 mode switch to draft or height or external I do feel differences in the way the height lever operates but not familiar with how it should feel on this tractor. Also one more thing. In the picture you’ll see what I believe to be the transmission end of a gear selector/lever. I found this on top of the hydraulic filter, but have driven it recently to know that low/neutral work as do reverse/1/2. I haven’t tried high recently but suspect that rod is either something else or has been in there a while? What are y’all’s thoughts. I have zero experience with David browns.

Hello RW, welcome to YT! I have no experience with David Browns but I have some info for you I will pass along in a Direct Message, that will be accessed through your envelope/mail icon at the above right. CNHI (CIH/NH/Fiat) does have a few DB parts diagrams available but nothing for the 4600. I personally don’t think that is the end of a gearshift lever.

 

[used red MN]

Oops! Duplicate post

 

[Not db4600]

I have a David Brown 4600 that has sat for quite a while. Got it running good when I went and picked it up from my dad‘s place when I first cranked it up the lift arms would raise now after having it at my place, I can’t seem to get to raise. The fluid had a lot of water in it. I have flushed with oil once and now trying to flush with kerosene as lift arms still aren’t functioning. When I switch the 3 mode switch to draft or height or external I do feel differences in the way the height lever operates but not familiar with how it should feel on this tractor. Also one more thing. In the picture you’ll see what I believe to be the transmission end of a gear selector/lever. I found this on top of the hydraulic filter, but have driven it recently to know that low/neutral work as do reverse/1/2. I haven’t tried high recently but suspect that rod is either something else or has been in there a while? What are y’all’s thoughts. I have zero experience with David browns.

I am by no means a hydraulic expert, but.

I’ve poked into the right side valve chest a couple times when I have come on to these instances. I can’t say for sure what exactly I did, but the results were operating hydraulics after some cleaning. I did experience a line break from the pump to the right chest and fixed that when I opened up for a pump rebuild.
In talking with a mechanic that has been through a 990 that sat for a couple years he pulled both the right hand chest and left hand valve assemblies and cleaned them of the corrosion from setting.
There might be something with the position of the rear levers that set the 3-point arms as well. It appears you have knowledge of the 3 position selector so well shelf that.
The milky hy-Tran seems to be a common thing. Gtlars down on the Case/DB forum is experiencing similar.
A manual would be helpful and you should be able to get a 4600 book. If not the 885 is a close cousin.
There is a YouTube channel “Path of Discovery that works through several facets of DB restoration that I’ve found helpful.

Good luck.

 

[rwandrews]

Thanks man, Im sure its something just clogged. In testing to make sure all gears were working last night, trying to understand where that sheared off part in the photo came from, a power steering line busted of course. Did you have an opinion or have messed with the gear selectors before to confirm thats what that piece is. Attached is the only diagram i have found of shift levers from an 880 book. I need to check out that youtube.

 

[rrlund]

What do you know about the history of the tractor? Is it possible that a broken shift was replaced at one time and they didn't fish the broken piece out?

I knew a guy who bought a Farmall M at a consignment sale one time. He had it hauled home and when they rolled it off the truck and he started forward with it, the bottom of the rear end got punched out and the oil gushed out all over the ground. The found a piece of the PTO shaft laying there. Apparently the shaft had broken and been replaced, and they didn't get the broken front piece out. It rolled under a bull gear and when he started ahead it punched the hole.

 

[Not db4600]

Thanks man, Im sure its something just clogged. In testing to make sure all gears were working last night, trying to understand where that sheared off part in the photo came from, a power steering line busted of course. Did you have an opinion or have messed with the gear selectors before to confirm thats what that piece is. Attached is the only diagram i have found of shift levers from an 880 book. I need to check out that youtube. View attachment 144452

I have not been in the transmission case. Those diagram should be relative to your tractor, but not all DBs have the 3 stick shifter. There is also an early and later version 880 as well.
I don’t know enough about the red ones to know if they offered the 3 stick shifter. In my case my 4600 has 3 sticks. Rereading your explanation am I correct that you have a 2 stick? And not that it matters as the diagram is accurate for either. As Mr. Lund eludes to it’s

possible that this is a fossil in a fixed case.

I’m not of much help here so maybe an exploration of the shift levers would confirm.

The photo is of my DB and the 3rd stick at the upper right is Normal/ Slow. Some of my English tractor research points to a slow gear option for tiller or trencher work and that wasn’t exclusive to DB at the time. I’ve haven’t come across another 3 stick any any model size, but understand it could be ordered that way. Research also eluded to maintenance might also involve a break for tea or possibly even “throw in a pint”.

I hope RG Martin can shed some light here and wish MJ or Majorman could confirm my ramblings.

 

[rwandrews]

What do you know about the history of the tractor? Is it possible that a broken shift was replaced at one time and they didn't fish the broken piece out?

I knew a guy who bought a Farmall M at a consignment sale one time. He had it hauled home and when they rolled it off the truck and he started forward with it, the bottom of the rear end got punched out and the oil gushed out all over the ground. The found a piece of the PTO shaft laying there. Apparently the shaft had broken and been replaced, and they didn't get the broken front piece out. It rolled under a bull gear and when he started ahead it punched the hole.

Yeah thats excatly what im thinking it is, just wasnt 100%, dont want to chase a hydraulic issue if that piece has something to do with it. History wise my dad has had it for a long while and never remembers a shifter breaking. Doesnt mean someone else that borrowed it (im thinking of one specifc exfamily member haha) didnt make a unknown repair or back before my dad got it in the 80s/90s.

 

[rwandrews]

I have not been in the transmission case. Those diagram should be relative to your tractor, but not all DBs have the 3 stick shifter. There is also an early and later version 880 as well.
I don’t know enough about the red ones to know if they offered the 3 stick shifter. In my case my 4600 has 3 sticks. Rereading your explanation am I correct that you have a 2 stick? And not that it matters as the diagram is accurate for either. As Mr. Lund eludes to it’s View attachment 144472possible that this is a fossil in a fixed case.

I’m not of much help here so maybe an exploration of the shift levers would confirm.

The photo is of my DB and the 3rd stick at the upper right is Normal/ Slow. Some of my English tractor research points to a slow gear option for tiller or trencher work and that wasn’t exclusive to DB at the time. I’ve haven’t come across another 3 stick any any model size, but understand it could be ordered that way. Research also eluded to maintenance might also involve a break for tea or possibly even “throw in a pint”.

I hope RG Martin can shed some light here and wish MJ or Majorman could confirm my ramblings.

my 4600A is the 2 stick, pictured below. I was wondering about the 3 sticks. Is yours the 'linedrive' then? The clutch has two 'stages' travel and pto. Am i correct the 'A' in 4600 is for selectamatic linedrive?

 

[Not db4600]

Yeah thats excatly what im thinking it is, just wasnt 100%, dont want to chase a hydraulic issue if that piece has something to do with it. History wise my dad has had it for a long while and never remembers a shifter breaking. Doesnt mean someone else that borrowed it (im thinking of one specifc exfamily member haha) didnt make an unknown repair or back before my dad got it in the 80s/90s.

Mine has served me well for 20 years and most parts are found through CNH if the parts man tries. DB parts ltd is also out there as well as Sparex. I have not had a need to source the later 2 and don’t seem to have the selection they once did.
My biggest hurdle was the water pump, but was able to get the right parts with an 885 rebuild kit.

 

[rrlund]

Mine has served me well for 20 years and most parts are found through CNH if the parts man tries. DB parts ltd is also out there as well as Sparex. I have not had a need to source the later 2 and don’t seem to have the selection they once did.
My biggest hurdle was the water pump, but was able to get the right parts with an 885 rebuild kit.

I got a water pump for a 990 from All States last summer.

 

[Not db4600]

I got a water pump for a 990 from All States last summer.

My experience was that the DB petrol engine run a bit different than a DB paraffin (hope my terminology is correct) and so it wasn’t an exact match but the kit through CNH gave me enough parts to fix it.

We might have exchanged thoughts at that time.

 

[rrlund]

My experience was that the DB petrol engine run a bit different than a DB paraffin (hope my terminology is correct) and so it wasn’t an exact match but the kit through CNH gave me enough parts to fix it.

We might have exchanged thoughts at that time.

Ya, I never tried to get anything like that for my gas version.