Ford 2000 w/ unknown loader and Gresen SPK controls

[Torkrench]

I recently bought a 60's Ford 2000 tractor with a loader. The loader looks similar to a 727 loader but the plates where the hydraulic rams bolt looks slightly different. The issue I'm having is with the controls though. As far as I can tell, the controls are a Parker Gresen model SPK 2-Spool (Ford Float Valve). The casting number is 2737. The tilt control works fine, the lever has equal travel both directions. For the lift lever though, the lever has more travel in the lift direction than it does in the lower direction and lower seems to be a float mode. In other words, there is no downward pressure. Other than that, the controls are fine. I haven't been able to determine if this is by design with that valve assembly or not. It seems from what I've read online that this assembly would be 4 positions for lift (lift, neutral, lower, float). It feels like there is something stopping the spool from moving all the way in and the wear/rust mark on the portion of the lift/lower valve sticking out in the neutral position is about half way from the end of the machined surface of the valve. From the name of the valve, I would guess that maybe this particular valve just has lift and float only. Does anyone know anything about this particular valve setup?

 

[Jim.ME]

First thing to confirm is: Does your loader have single or double acting rams? If by chance they are single acting they have no provision for down pressure, lift only.

If the lift lever will not push fully forward in the lower position and lock in a detent (locked in detent is the float position) there is likely something wrong in the detent mechanism on the back of the spool. It could be something broken or out of place or rusted.

I think the description of Ford float valve is saying Gresen built that valve for Ford and it has a float position in addition to lift, neutral, lower positions. A valve generally has a lower position before it locks into float.

 

[Torkrench]

They are double acting cylinders, 2 lines into each cylinder. What you are saying about the detent mechanism makes sense however the fact that it goes straight from neutral to float makes me think something else is going on, maybe 2 separate issues. What's odd is that the down control is controllable where I think float would be just an instant dump. I have full control over the speed that it lowers, just no downward pressure.

Maybe there is an issue with one of the seals in one of the cylinders so it won't pressurize in the downward position but then why doesn't the lever go to the float position if it has it... I was hoping someone may have had this control valve setup before and had experience with it.

I'm a little afraid to take it apart because it is currently usable and doesn't leak and I think it would be hard to find any parts at this point for this control. If I take it apart, I have to be ready to just replace it with a whole new unit and there is other stuff I'd like to do on this tractor before buying a new loader control valve assembly.

 

[Jim.ME]

They are double acting cylinders, 2 lines into each cylinder. What you are saying about the detent mechanism makes sense however the fact that it goes straight from neutral to float makes me think something else is going on, maybe 2 separate issues. What's odd is that the down control is controllable where I think float would be just an instant dump. I have full control over the speed that it lowers, just no downward pressure.

Maybe there is an issue with one of the seals in one of the cylinders so it won't pressurize in the downward position but then why doesn't the lever go to the float position if it has it... I was hoping someone may have had this control valve setup before and had experience with it.

I'm a little afraid to take it apart because it is currently usable and doesn't leak and I think it would be hard to find any parts at this point for this control. If I take it apart, I have to be ready to just replace it with a whole new unit and there is other stuff I'd like to do on this tractor before buying a new loader control valve assembly.

You can control the down speed as it goes into lower as you move the spool it slightly cracks open on the lift side and lets oil out before moving enough to pressurize the lowering side of the cylinder. What may be happening is the valve spool is being blocked from moving far enough to put pressure on the down side of the cylinders. Yes, it could also be a packing issue, but I would want to get the valve moving correctly before condemning a cylinder.