IH 300 Utility Hydraulic Problem

Hi all. I have a IH 300 Utility, power steering, no TA. Today I changed the trans/rear end oil and the oil in the hydraulic reservoir. For both I used Hydraulic/Trans oil from TSC (Traveller brand). My issue is with the hydraulics. One thing odd about my tractor is that at some point someone ran a return line from the power steering to where the drain plug for the resavoir should be. So I cracked open that line, let the oil drain. When it quit dripping I started the tractor and let the oil from the lines pump out (per the manual). I refilled. Then with the plug out, I tried to cycle the hydraulics to fill the lines and flush the air, but I got nothing. My hydraulic lift cylinder doesn't move, and my power steering doesn't work. I drove it about 30 yards hoping to get it to work, but nothing. Any idea why? Do I need to bleed something or what? Any help appreciated because I'm really getting frustrated. Thanks.

Check the archives for a process to prime the hydraulic pump. I've never done it myself, but if I remember correctly a gent once told me that all it takes is a small puff (don't overdo it) of compressed air into the vent on top of the reservoir. Again, though, check the archives for better info than I can offer.

Mark W. in MI

I see in the archives where someone said to put a low pressure burst of air into the breather on top of the reservoir. Is that under the seat? The only thing I can see is the filler hole. Someone else said to just point the tractor nose down hill. Do you think that would work? Other said to take some piece off of the pump and put oil in it. I didn't see an obvious primer port on my pump, but it's old so I could be missing it...

Also have a I300 U if system is stock International then the power steering must have hydraulic pressure before any of the touch control will operate; therefore, must concentrate on getting pressure to power steering.

Any tips on how to get pressure to the power steering? Is there a way to bleed/prime that? Will putting pressure on the hydraulic reservoir as previously discussed get pressure to the power steering?

The line that you removed on the left side of the reservoir is not an add on, it is supposed to be there.
The filler hole is on the front of the reservoir where as the vent is in the center. It should have a small air filter screwed into it.
The 5lb or less puff of air goe in the vent hole.
If JimN does not see this post, search his posts for a complete answer.
If you fill the lines from the reservoir to the pump you should not have a problem priming.

Dell

Sorry about the slow response. I've been checking every manual I can find for a pump priming procedure, but no luck.

The reservoir vent is under the seat. Starting at the center of the reservior lid, the vent is a couple of inches toward the front of the tractor and a couple of inches toward its right side. There are two different styles. One looks like a small metal cube with a horizontal cylinder sticking out of it about the size of your thumb. The other reminds me of a mushroom maybe 3 inches in diameter. Both styles just unscrew. If you decide to blow some air into that hole, be sure to cover it with a rag so you don't get an oil shower.

Parking the tractor facing downhill? That just might work.

According to the parts manual there is a screw in the very top of the hydraulic pump housing, right where the pump gears are. This screw serves as a plug to hold a spring and a check ball in place. That would seem to imply that it wouldn't hurt to remove those parts and put some fluid in that hole -- but don't do it on my say-so. Get someone else to confirm it first.

Finally, try not to run the engine too long if you think you may have an unprimed pump. The pumps don't like to run dry, and they're a little on the expensive side.

Let us know how things turn out.

Mark W.in MI

You can put as much as 25 PSI in the fill hole under the seat. Continuous pressure is needed to (force) prime the pump. The vent will need to be plugged, or you can use a tire valve to pump pressure into it with a tire pump. Down hill into a ditch, or loading ramp is also great. Jim

I can try the ditch thing first because it seems the easiest. I have the tractor in my garage right now and I would have to drive it a couple hundred yards to get it out to the ditch. Can I drive it with no power steering without hurting anything?

As I read through this posted message I did not see any discussion about cleaning the suction screen located under the hydraulic reservoir cover. This pasted winter I had two different International 300 in my shop and both had the suction screen totally plugged up. It's a job to remove the cover but the pumps sure work better if they can easily get a supply of oil.

BTDT just my two cents

What makes it such a job to remove the cover? It looks to me like it"s just bolted around the top. Is there a gasket between the cover and the lid? Is it just a pain to get off or is there more to it than what I"m thinking? Also, how did you clean the screen? Just remove it and wash it in Kerosene or something?

yes. Jim

You guys rock. I wish I could buy you all a beer. I got home from work and figured I'd try the parking on the hill thing first because it was the easiest. I fired it up, backed it up a little hill I have by my house, pulled out the fill plug, worked the power steering and lift cylinder just a bit, and POOF, it burped the air right out! I worked both back and forth several times and it's working like a champ now. I should still clean that screen as was mentioned in this post at some point, but for now it seems to be working fine so I'm not going to mess with it. I really appreciate all the replies and help. For a tractor newbie like me you guys are life savers. I would have never thought of parking it on a hill to prime the pump. No way. Thanks again.

-Ben from Indiana

Indy,
It is heavy and cumbersome. If you do not line it up exactly on reinstalling you will crush the screen.
Dell

I'm an information lightweight around here, but a Guinnes Stout would work for me.
Dell

That's great, Ben! And even better, it's now in the archives for the next guy.

Mark W. in MI

Very good! Just a little change in gravity works wonders. Jim