400 can't lift a round bale of hay???

wallacedw · Jul 15, 2008

I don't understand... How do I figure out why? It does go up and down and can lift weighty items but maybe a bad pump? How do you change that?

labman98 · Jul 15, 2008

Hook a gauge up to you hydraulic line a see what it is putting out for pressure. This would be an easy, first step to try.

El Toro · Jul 15, 2008

Do have enough hydraulic fluid in the reservoir? Hal

wallacedw · Jul 15, 2008

I checked the fluid and it is clean and to the full mark on the dipstick.

I will try to find a gauge. I have the shop manual and it tells how to check, etc... just have to find the gauge.

El Toro · Jul 15, 2008

It may have a pipe plug on the pump that you can remove and install your gauge. Hal

armand tatro · Jul 15, 2008

Are you using loader or 3pt. hitch(fast hitch)? If you are using front loader did you replace bucket with bale fork or is bucket on and are you lifting bale ahead ot the cutting edge of the bucket? The farther the weight is ahead of the bucket mounts the more weight you are picking up and your hyd. system may not be able to lift the extra weight. Armand

wallacedw · Jul 15, 2008

This is my setup, minus the toplink. I am using a heavy chain connected to the bottom of the tractor so the bale fork operates correctly.

I got it to lift a half size bale. I am thinking that the bale is too far back using the 3 point arms. I am not sure how make a shorter arm but that may help. I also bled the system but haven't checked to see if it helped at all.
https://photos.yesterdaystractors.c...mp;Parameter=400&mode=All&what=pieces

Ron Weber · Jul 15, 2008

I made a 3pt hay spear so that I can lift 4' dia bales x 4' long (they weigh about 500lbs). I put it on my Ferguson TO-20 and it lifted them on idle will little effort. If that tractor can lift them, then surely a 400 should be able to.

wallacedw · Jul 15, 2008

These weigh about 1200 lbs. I was able to lift some smal ones today but not far. I lifted a large one but it drug a little. I am thinking that the distance away from the hyd. cylinder is having a huge effect.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 16, 2008

You need a larger dia cycl to lift more. Just remember the tractor you have was not made to haul around 1000lbs on the front as next you will upset tractor of bust up the front end better be careful.

wallacedw · Jul 16, 2008

I am not using a loader, just the 3 point on the back.
Does anyone use a 400 for moving the large round bales?

Anonymous-0 · Jul 16, 2008

I'd say it's a hydraulic problem, unless the bales way an ungodly weight.
I have a little 26 HP that I put a round bale on the FL spikes and one on a platform I made for the back. You might have better luck with a platform like mine ( put together w/ 2 4x4's and a piece of plywood) than a spike.

Dave

bedrock1234 · Jul 16, 2008

I have a farmall 350 I know the pump is starting to get weak as it will not lift what she use to and I pick up 4x5 approx 900-1000 lb bales with it.

bedrock1234 · Jul 16, 2008

I have a farmall 350 I know the pump is starting to get weak as it will not lift what she use to and I pick up 4x5 approx 900-1000 lb bales with it.

mkirsch · Jul 16, 2008

As far as I know, there is no dipstick for the hydraulics on a 400. You fill through the level plug on the side of the steering pedestal until it runs out.

Not sure what dipstick you're checking... Where is it located?

If the 3pt will go up and down through the full stroke, it's not a lack of oil, though.

The 3pt needs at least one 4" diameter x 8" stroke cylinder, or two 3" x 8" cylinders. With that and 750PSI (typical H or M pressure), I've seen them lift Super C-size tractors with the 3pt hitch, many times the weight of one of your bales. If you tried to economize and run a small 2" cylinder, it won't be able to generate the brute force to lift that much weight.

Do the hydraulics squeal when it maxxes out? If you get a squeal noise, with a big enough cylinder, the relief valve needs to be fixed. It should activate at around 1250PSI.

wallacedw · Jul 16, 2008

The hydraulic cylinder is the large standard on, I haven't measured it but I think it is the right one. The groan is some sort of vibration under the seat it seams. It only does it under load. I don't recall it doing it before.
The dipstick is attached to the fill plug. It is a factory piece.

400 can't lift a round bale of hay???

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