Loader float, now it''s not working

[SkyePN]

Fired up the 135 today to clear some snow, I have a MF32 loader attached with its own dedicated pump at the front. Things were working well, then I thought I'd try the float function on the controls to scoop up some snow (arm control all the way forward)

But when I turned off float, none of the loader controls work any more! The bucket won't even tilt. I don't see any leaks and I checked the reservoir level in the loader frame, looks fine. I tried turning float on and off a few times thinking maybe it was stuck open, nothing. It's not even that cold, just above freezing.

Any ideas?? I hope I didn't break the pump or something.

 

[Tslinger]

I don't know this loader valve... However, I just ran my JD300 to deal with snow Friday. While warming up, I was running the boom to cycle oil, and heat it up... It started getting slower, and slower, until it stopped functioning. About lost my mind.

5 Minutes later, everything was fine. Why? I've no idea, but I'm thinking I was just starving the pump with lack of flow due to the cold. Once the oil heated enough to flow easily through the filter, and sump, all was well.

Could just be a fluke...

 

[Jim.ME]

Easy things first, check the components of the pump drive from the engine dampener pulley connection to the pump. Couplings and shaft have been known to have immediate, no warning, failures which cause total loss of hydraulics in that system. Reservoir, suction line, and suction side filter if it has one, pump drive, pump, and main relief valve are common to both functions. Is the fluid clean, or milky like it has water in it?

 

[Caryc]

Sorry, I can't help you but I have no idea what loader "float" is. would you mind enlightening me a bit?

 

[Jim.ME]

(quoted from post at 11:09:35 12/22/20)
Sorry, I can't help you but I have no idea what loader "float" is. would you mind enlightening me a bit?

Float is a control valve position forward, past lower, for the loader arms. When the valve is in "float" the lift cylinder oil path is open to reservoir on both sides (no pressure) on either side of the cylinder pistons, so the arms are free move up and down as the bucket follows the ground.

 

[SkyePN]

(quoted from post at 20:34:09 12/20/20) Easy things first, check the components of the pump drive from the engine dampener pulley connection to the pump. Couplings and shaft have been known to have immediate, no warning, failures which cause total loss of hydraulics in that system. Reservoir, suction line, and suction side filter if it has one, pump drive, pump, and main relief valve are common to both functions. Is the fluid clean, or milky like it has water in it?

Fluid is clean but has some froth on top, this tractor is fairly new to me so it's possible there was ice somewhere that has clogged the system.

Thanks for the checklist I'll start working through it after I dig out.

Might have to wait until spring - discovered the diff lock doesn't work and chains would be useful :lol:

 

[SkyePN]

Snow has finally melted enough so I can dig out the 135 and have a look at the loader. Wasn't getting any fluid out of the front PTO pump so I pulled it out, and surprise, the shaft key was all mangled and sitting at the bottom of the housing.

The pump shaft looks a little mangled, maybe even welded up and milled before, maybe it's ok. The pump turns fine and I can't feel any play in the pump shaft.

But the keyway in the shaft receiver is chewed up really bad...

Couple of questions:

1. If I take out that circlip can I get the drive shaft out somehow?

2. Should I be concerned that the drive shaft isn't centered in the bumper housing? maybe the morflex coupler is bad?

Really trying to avoid having to remove the entire loader to fix this!

Thanks
Skye

 

[SkyePN]

Forgot to mention the drive shaft does turn when the tractor is running, so presumably the pump would work again if I can get a new shaft and key installed. However it rotates off center in the housing hole. Not sure why the key sheared off in the first place but the eccentricity can't be good for it.