International 606 hydrolic problems

Thanks,
Kris

Sorry, I don't have a clue about this kind of stuff, so I probably can't help you very much. I'm definitely no mechanic. I could maybe take a look at it though, would any pictures help?

Kris

What pics would you be interested in (what areas of the tractor)? Send me an email off line at khenn at netzero dot net with International 606 as the subject.

First thing to do is get a manual. I&T publishes manuals for this series/family of tractors (460,560,660,606, and I-2606)and are well worth the money.

Since this tractor is an unknown (recent purchase), dump the hydraulic fluid and S-can the hydraulic filter. The hydraulic pump could be starving for oil on the suction side--easiest thing to do here are filter and oil.

The loader raises slowly? Is this some huge aftermarket thing that someone has slung on the 606 and not a good match for the tractor? What I'm getting at is, are the cylinders so huge it takes a long time to fill them? Revving the motor will increase GPM output of the pump (up to its design limit) and cycling speed of the loader attachment, so this does not indicate any bad condition.

Does the loader have any substantial power/lifting capability? This will indicate if the system is allowing pressure to develop. Does the hydraulic system make any noise--whine, sqealing, chattering?

The 606 has the same C-221 engine as our 460. I have found the 460 to be very reasonable on fuel consumption even when giving it a good workout. I suggest that your 606 has a problem.

Give us a full report.

We will definitely look into replacing the hydrolic filter and oil.

I do believe that the bucket may be aftermarket or even home made, I'm not sure. What do you mean by "Does the loader have any substantial power/lifting capability?"

The system does not make any noise at all. In fact, I was surprised when he brought it home how quiet the thing ran.

Kris

If you can, this indicates the pump is working--it is moving oil and can develop pressure at the point where pressure is needed (the loader).

If you can lift a heavy load but not very fast, this can indicate several things. The loader may have very big hydraulic rams that characteristically would have large volumes requiring a lot of oil to be moved for acceptable lifting speeds. I believe your 606 comes with a 12 GPM pump, which is adequate volume for a moderately sized loader. I believe the I-2606 and 460 Utility were equipped with 17 GPM pumps that enhanced loader cycling times. Don't know if this is even possible (someone may weigh in on this speculation), but it could be that a previous owner fit your 606 with a pump smaller than 12 GPM??? I'm assuming that the hydraulic system pump is the standard internal pump and not an add-on typically fitted to the engine crank.

If there is loader lift ram piston blow-by, oil will escape to the non-pressured side of the cylinder killing lift speed, but lifting (pounds) capability will suffer, too. Also the loader would not stay up and drift off if this were the case.

The lifting ability in pounds (not speed) will tell you a lot.

Is the loader controlled by the normal hydraulic control levers? Not familiar with a 606 physical layout, but on a 460 these are located to the right of the dash.

Is there an outside chance that some quick-couplings are not coupled properly?

Are your loader cylinders one-way or two-way operation?

Are there any 'squealing noises' heard when operating the loader? When not operating the loader? Does the tractor seem to labor (low, stalling type RPM) when it's just sitting there running and not operating the loader?

First of all, thanks for taking the time to put so much thought into your replies.

I will try to answer your questions the best I can.

Can you lift a load with the loader? Yes! It will lift a full load. On Tuesday evening we were cleaning out the barn yard, and completely filled the bucket with a mixture of wet and dry horse manure. It lifted the load, but we just had to increase the rpms. I'd have to measure it for sure, but I'm gonna say that the bucket is probably at least 5 feet wide, maybe 2 feet deep and probably close 2 feet high.

Here's a question for you. Where is the pump located and is there any way I can tell what size it is?

The loader does not have any problems staying up when loaded.

Is the loader controlled by the normal hydraulic control levers? Yes, they are located just to the right of the seat.

Is there an outside chance that some quick-couplings are not coupled properly? Don't know, probably should check.

Are your loader cylinders one-way or two-way operation? I don't have a clue, is there any way to tell?

Are there any 'squealing noises' heard when operating the loader? NOPE

When not operating the loader? NOPE

Does the tractor seem to labor (low, stalling type RPM) when it's just sitting there running and not operating the loader? NOPE

Thanks!

Sounds like the weight you lifted is substantial, but I interpret your response as "it lifted the load, but we had to rev the engine to do it." Is this the correct scenario?

A hydraulic pump in good condition will move oil. Period. Therefore, if your pump is in good condition, then the load will raise even if the tractor is idling. Now, it won't go up very fast, but it will go up.

You've answered the question regarding undue squealing noises which tell me that the other components in the hydraulic system are not shunting pressure away from the task at hand--raising the loader.

If you have to rev the engine to raise the load and provided the pump is not starving for oil on the suction side, you are describing a pump that has seen better days. Sounds to me like internal pump wear. The pump clearances have opened up enough to where you have to rev the engine which increases the GPM output of the pump. At low RPM, there is not much pump output volume. This small volume will take the path of least resistance in a worn pump which will result in internal bypassing. When you rev the engine, GPM of the worn pump increases. The wear clearance in the worn pump is not enough to swallow all the increased GPM, therefore some of the output will go to your loader.

This sounds exactly like the condition that I just corrected on our 460.

In the interest of keeping this response short, visit the page I just wrote for our web site. I wrote this page for just such an occasion! This will tell you where the pump is. One thing that I don't think you can determine by looking at a pump that has been removed is what size it is.

• Fixing 60 Series Hydraulics

You are correct. It lifted the load but we had to rev the engine to do it. I think he had the throttle lever up about 3/4 of the way, and it was still raising slow. But when you try to lower the loader it practically falls to the ground. So you have to be careful if you are trying to lower it while you are moving.

Do you know where the hydrolic oil tank is located on this tractor and where you would fill it or check its level? We have noticed a bit of an oil leak on the garage floor, but I don't know if it is engine oil or hydrolic oil. I do know that it was black though.

Thanks for the link. Looks like some very useful information there.

Leaking Hy-Tran or universal tractor hydraulic fluid will not be black in color. This sounds like leaking engine oil.

The reservoir is accessed through a plate located on the operator's platform right next to the gearshift. This plate has 3 bolts. Not one of IH's better ideas in my opinion.

Oil level is checked by way of 1/4" cap screw located on the left side of the transmission case about 10" aft of the hydraulic/power steering pump mounting plate. Fill the reservoir until oil runs out this cap screw hole. Overfilling a little will not harm anything.

I am assuming the 606 is similar enough to a 460 so that these directions aren't a bunch of baloney.

Leaking Hy-Tran or universal tractor hydraulic fluid will not be black in color. This sounds like leaking engine oil.

The reservoir is accessed through a plate located on the operator's platform right next to the gearshift. This plate has 3 bolts. Not one of IH's better ideas in my opinion.

Oil level is checked by way of 1/4" cap screw located on the left side of the transmission case about 10" aft of the hydraulic/power steering pump mounting plate. Fill the reservoir until oil runs out this cap screw hole. Overfilling a little will not harm anything.

I am assuming the 606 is similar enough to a 460 so that these direction aren't a bunch of baloney.