Ferguson T0-30 Lift Arms won't raise

Hello all,

Looking at buying a Ferguson TO-30. However the only issue is the lift arms will not raise. Interesting thing is, the seller changed the fluid and said the arms DID lift before that. Any idea what the issue is and what it would take to repair it? Obviously may not be worth the buy if it is something expensive, but again it had been working.

Thanks

Did you have the PTO engaged? Has to be to work. With clutch pressed down will also stop working.

He must have had a reason to change the fluid - perhaps the system stopped working??? Does the PTO turn? If it isn't turning, the pump isn't turning. If it is turning, it could be trash stirred up when the fluid was changed that is blocking the pump intake. Could be air-locked or the control valve might have come disengaged. This type of problem requires a step-by-step analysis to pin down the issue. It could be simple or several hundred dollars - no way to tell without troubleshooting.

Keep us posted.

Stuck control valve or valve disconnected from control fork Usual cause is some crud in the valve bushing or wear on the control fork sockets. Usually an easy fix.

So it's been a few days, sorry about that. We just contacted the owner again and had him try raising the arms with the PTO engaged. Still doesn't work.

Here is a little tip.

Start the tractor, make sure the PTO is engaged and turns, and give it like half speed. Then raise the lever on the right side of the seat, all the way up, and then go to the lower link arms and raise them by hand a little. Try to feel if there is any help at all in the hydraulics, like if they sort of try to stay up a little but still sink down, or if you can feel some tiny little pulsating in your hands.

Another thing to do is to open the right hand inspection cover on the centerhousing, located under the seat down on the side, and should have the level stick in it. Once open, it is possible to see if the fork mentioned by some of the others is moving back and forth when you move the lever up and down. In the end of the fork sits the control valve, and you can see if that moves too when the fork is moving. If the fork is not moving, or the valve is not moving, then there is a problem with this. You can also keep the engine running, raise the lever, and have a small mirror inside and a flash light, and see if oil comes out somewhere from above. If that happens it has a leak somewhere where the oil goes up to the cylinder, or the cylinder is cracked.

Before you take off the inspection cover, make sure it is not so much oil that it comes out. You can usually remedy this by placing the tractor somewhere so it leans over to the left. The dip stick will tell you where the level is, and you can hold it on the outside in the height it normally sits to find out where the oil level is.


I hope this helps a little.


Bill

UPDATE: It works! Looked through the system. Nothing seemed disconnected, worn or out of place. Just sludgy. Drained it, Flushed the transmission with kerosene and bought new fluid. Although as we know fluids change characteristics after they have been through something, the old fluid did not at ALL seem like the new stuff I bought (GL-1 90-Weight Ford Transmission Fluid from TS). The stuff he put in was definitely a little thinner and...redder? Oh well.

That GL-1 90 weight Ford fluid from TS
is good stuff its all I use in my Fergy and 8N