Busted hydraulic top cover

aarolar

Member
So turns out my hydraulic top cover is busted, I have a thread in the tools forum on repairing it if you want to check it out. What I want to talk about here is what other repairs I should be looking into while it's apart and what the special procedure is for putting it all back together.

The lift was working find before I pulled it all down but did have a slow leak down. I want to rebuild the cylinder while it's apart is this just as simple as using a brake hone to clean up the cylinder and then replace the rings? Where else are the common leaks? Orings on the standpipe, seal between the cylinder and top cover what about the pressure relief valve should I replace it now as well?

Lastly what is the special procedure for re aligning all the linkage so this cover doesn't get busted again? Pictures to follow enjoy!

2013-02-26_17-22-17_141_zps866445ec.jpg

2013-02-26_17-49-34_963_zpsa41710b8.jpg
 
Most definitely replace the relief valve, more than likely that"s
what caused the cover to bust. Truthfully I would just replace
the cover and be done with it. There are way too many of
those tractors out there to get a top cover from, to waste your
time trying to weld that one back together.You can hone the
cylinders with a brake hone but it the cylinder has bad
scratches or is worn severely you would be better off to
replace it.
 
(quoted from post at 17:40:15 02/26/13) Most definitely replace the relief valve, more than likely that"s
what caused the cover to bust. Truthfully I would just replace
the cover and be done with it. There are way too many of
those tractors out there to get a top cover from, to waste your
time trying to weld that one back together.You can hone the
cylinders with a brake hone but it the cylinder has bad
scratches or is worn severely you would be better off to
replace it.

If anyone has a cover they want to offer up I am all ears, being I weld for a living it really isn't any trouble at all for me.
 
I am a welder myself for Deere and Company, so I know
where you are coming from, but I would still rather replace it
than repair it because it will never be as strong as it once was,
and it cracked where one of the studs for the lift cylinder go
thru so that will be a weak spot anyway. I noticed Vermont
Dave who frequents this board has the complete top cover
assembly for sale. His is listed for $424.00, if you have to get a
cylinder and rings for your repaired cover your getting close to
$200.00 right there. If you have to get anymore parts for your
cover you would soon be close to the cost of just replacing all
of it. I may have told you wrong, it may be the adjustment that
busts the cover and the relief valve busts the cylinder, I can't
remember right off but however you fix your tractor replace the
relief valve.
 
Yes, a malfunctioning relief valve can definitely crack the top like that. In my case it cracked the cylinder instead of the top so I was lucky. Replacing the relief valve is cheap insurance. After years of sitting they get gummed up and won't open when they should..........that being said, your lift should be adjusted so that it never lifts to it's absolute top limit (or beyond) which would necessitate the valve opening. As John (UK) has said, every so often you should activate the relief valve by lifting the draft lever and lift lever up just so the valve remains cleaned out. Haven't seen John on here in awhile, hope he's ok.
As regards leaks, there is a kit available on this website which includes all the different o-rings you might need..........come to think of it, the o-ring kit I got came with the pump rebuild kit. They are tricky little things to find all of them as they are compressed from years of, well, being compressed and they tend to blend right in with their surroundings. I thought I had extras but eventually found a home for all of them. I recommend replacing them all, again, cheap insurance.
It is normal for these lifts to leak down over time even in pristine condition, I'd say it takes 15-20 minutes after I shut down the tractor before the blade hits the ground.........having said that for safety reasons I put it down every time I park so it doesn't come down on a child or pet.
 
Is this the kit that includes all the orings and seals I need?

http://www.ytmag.com/1810467M91_4596.htm
 
Whether you weld it or not you have got to be
congratulated for your prep work , never seen such
attention to detail before . Most agricultural
welding I come across is daubed over rust and paint
with as low an amperage as possible ! Well done .
 
I have one off a TO30. I don't know your location I'm located in NJ. They are pretty heavy to ship so it's alway better if you can find one local. My email is open.

Kirk
 
(quoted from post at 22:06:42 02/26/13) Is this the kit that includes all the orings and seals I need?

http://www.ytmag.com/1810467M91_4596.htm

That looks like it has quite a few more o-rings than the set that came with my pump rebuild kit although maybe that's because it covers so many different models. I'm trying to remember now just how many seals there are in there.
This was the kit I ordered. http://www.ytmag.com/S.40843_4447.htm
If you don't know when the pump was last rebuilt it may be wise to have a look at it and possibly rebuild it while you are in there.
 
Ok Just left a junk yard Monday with a TO35 with the top cover on it in eastern PA. If he's in that area he could probably pick it up pretty cheap.
Kirk
 
(quoted from post at 07:23:34 02/27/13) Ok Just left a junk yard Monday with a TO35 with the top cover on it in eastern PA. If he's in that area he could probably pick it up pretty cheap.
Kirk

Im in Georgia Kirk.
 
Calling around looking for these things I have people telling me there are several different cover designs and they don't interchange is there any truth to this and how do I determine what I really need?
 
I just took one off of a massey ferguson 50 complete with the cylinder
worked good on tractor 275.00 plus shipping thanks scott
 

Can anyone give me an answer bout the interchangeably of these covers? I have a salvage yard that has 3 of them but non of them match my casting numbers and I don't want to pay shipping on one till I know...
 
Go to agcopartsbook.com and look at the numbers on there. It tells the serial number breaks at the bottom. I thought they would all interchange it was just that there was a change made on the lift cylinder stud size, and there were covers made for tractors with no lift, and there was a heavy duty cover. I could be wrong though.
 
(quoted from post at 09:43:48 02/28/13) Go to agcopartsbook.com and look at the numbers on there. It tells the serial number breaks at the bottom. I thought they would all interchange it was just that there was a change made on the lift cylinder stud size, and there were covers made for tractors with no lift, and there was a heavy duty cover. I could be wrong though.

Excellent information now I am curious, would by tractor be in the A group of covers being its a Ferguson and pre Massey Ferguson name or could it be another cover all together?
 
You said yours was a 1955. Going by the serial numbers starting in 1955 yours should have the D cover 182374M91.
 
The earlier top covers on the 35 where thinner and had a 2.5" cylinder. Then later, I can't remember the year (maybe 1958) they thickened the cover and went to a 3" cylinder.

Dan
 
As long as the studs are the correct diameter then the covers are interchangable. But if you go for a later cover the casting is heavier so you need the longer studs and the longer stack pipe. With the cover on the tractor, lift the link arms by hand until they are fully raised, now scribe a line across the top arm and the cover. Scribe another line on the cover about 1/4 inch from the first one. Now with the tractor running raaise the position lever very slowly until the second scribe mark lines up with the mark on the upper linkarm. Put a bolt and nut with a flat washer either side of the lift quadrant and tighten it so the lever can only raise to this height.
That should keep the new cover safe!......Sam
 
Hey, what part of Ga. are you, I'm in Hawkinsville. 30 miles below Warner Robins but no I don't have a cover.
 
I have a '55 TO35 that I replaced the lift cover on. The cover I got came off of a newer TO35, not sure what year, but it is the thicker of the three lift covers I have and it has the three inch lift cylinder. I got the longer tube and all the bolts off the same tractor and it fit my '55 with no problems.

Bob Mc
 
Jason S.
Thanks for the referral concerning the top cover I have for sale, hope all is well with you. This week and he indicated that he would get back to me.
David Shea
Vermont
802-782-2409
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top