Tractor 3pl hydraulics not lifting when hot

[POD]

I have a Ford 4100 tractor (actually belongs to my wife even though she refuses to go near it) that we bought a couple of years ago mainly to maintain our driveway as well as odd jobs around the property. It's a late 60's build. I find that when I am using the blade on the 3-point-linkage, the hydraulic performance deteriorates dramatically as the machine warms up. When it has been working for a while, I have to rev the engine to get the hydraulics to lift at all. I haven't had much experience with hydraulics, I'm after some guidance as to how best to address this issue. Is it likely to be a worn out pump or is it more likely to be control valving or something else that is shot. Properly functioning hydraulics would make the machine a whole lot more useful.

[33chinacars]

Start with the simple things first . That is if you haven't done so aleady. Check to see if there is enough oil in Hydraulic's If thats O'k you may have to delive deaper in to pump & valve assembly.

[JFD]

Hello,My mate had a similar problem with his Ford tractor,rebuilt lift ram,new hydraulic pump and still played up.Turned out Ford use a specific oil which is shared with the gearbox/rearend/hydraulics,right oil problem fixed.

[Dougal]

Oil frothing?

[wrinklearthur]

My first guess is the oil is the wrong type, then look at the relief valve it maybe sticking.
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[POD]

Thanks, will check that the oil I'm using is the right spec for starters.

[Dougal]

Thanks, will check that the oil I'm using is the right spec for starters.

It's pretty hard to get the wrong oil in a 1960's tractor. The fergies here run engine oil in their gearbox and hydraulics.
Check the oil level first.

[Homestar]

The wrong oil type can cause issues. More modern oils can be an issue as the pump gets old. The pump in your tractor is probably a vane style pump which is not known for its brilliance...

As they wear, the viscosity of the oil becomes critical. If it gets too thin, it will cause the issues you are describing.

Cheers - Gav.

[wrinklearthur]

It's pretty hard to get the wrong oil in a 1960's tractor. The fergies here run engine oil in their gearbox and hydraulics.
Check the oil level first.

If the level is down and the pump starts cavitation, that does cause the symptoms described.

Is the dip stick the correct one for that tractor? check out the following link that shows the different ones available.

Ford Tractor Oil Level Indicators (http://www.fordtractorpart.com/ford-tractor-oil-level-151-ctg.html)
.

[Rick1970]

The wrong oil type can cause issues. More modern oils can be an issue as the pump gets old. The pump in your tractor is probably a vane style pump which is not known for its brilliance...

As they wear, the viscosity of the oil becomes critical. If it gets too thin, it will cause the issues you are describing.

Cheers - Gav.

A properly treated (decent) vane pump is a good bit of gear, if operated within its design ranges.

Most 4100 Ford's will have a piston pump mounted on LH side, rear of engine/front of trans from memory, just above your LH foot. This pump is generally a woeful POS. A replacement gear pump is available from Bare-co and the like, but i think the steel tube need a bit of modifying to fit up. Nothing major tho.

Think later 4100's may have had a factory fit gear pump, bolted in through the tranny case?????

Also, piston seal on 3pl ram. Does it have remotes? working or not?

Generally speeking, from what your saying i'd be at least checking the pump.

I know a guy thats very good on his Ford tractors if you get really stuck.

[Rick1970]

If the level is down and the pump starts cavitation, that does cause the symptoms described.

Is the dip stick the correct one for that tractor? check out the following link that shows the different ones available.

Ford Tractor Oil Level Indicators (http://www.fordtractorpart.com/ford-tractor-oil-level-151-ctg.html)
.

If the oil level is too low, it can cause aeration, which is very differant to cavitation. Cavitatation can be caused by a blocked sustion filter/screen and is generally worse when cold and gets better as the oil heats up.....less resistance to oil flow...

But yes low oil and aeration will give problems........check for frothing of the oil. And being a Ford, and if its not sheded all the time, the oil will most likely be full of water too.