3-Point Hydraulic Lift Issues with Early Ford 4000

Good afternoon-

I know that you have probably addressed this before, but I think that my setup may affect this issue. I am having problems with my 3-point hydraulic system on my Ford 4000 (4-cylinder) which I understand is same as the 800 series. The tractor has been retrofitted with two remote outlets; the inlet and outlet from the tractor's hydraulic system to the remotes are from a port in the front of the hydraulic cover and a port fastened to the fluid fill plug on the left side of the cover. Flow to these outlets can be blocked with an attached exterior valve between the inlet port and the remotes.

My problem is that the lift arms will not raise or lower using the position lever. However the fluid is clean and full. Also the lift arms will raise and stay tight (not leak down) if the remote outlet shutoff valve is used when running (position control lever still doesn't affect operation). Thus it seems that the hydraulic pump is working and the lift cylinders must be in fairly good shape to not leak down even with weight on them.

I know it is difficult to explain the plumbing for the remote outlets, but can someone narrow down where I should look for problems? I have the cover gasket/o-ring kit so I can inspect the hydraulic system and replace o-rings as necessary.

Also could the two remote outlets (looks to be aftermarket with Pioneer outlets) be affecting the system? I'll take them off if needed. I can take pictures this weekend if not self explanatory.

Thanks- I am horrible with hydraulic trobleshooting :lol:

Tigerhaze
With the valve in the stored position your 3 point arms should work.
With valve in the up (in) or down (out) position the arms should not work.
Does that make sense to you?
Basically the 3 point should only operate when the fluid is blocked at the other valve port.
Brian

without looking at the outlets, it sounds like your problem is in how they have them plumed up, i would find an original hyd cover plate, that goes on the top cover on the front rh side. do away with the remotes, if that fixes the problem, you can buy a remote cover for that tractor that will let the three point work and have remotes. when it comes to people doing their own thing, you almost always need to go back to stock before you can diagnose the oem part, then try to fix what they did.

(quoted from post at 14:09:29 03/19/09) without looking at the outlets, it sounds like your problem is in how they have them plumed up, i would find an original hyd cover plate, that goes on the top cover on the front rh side. do away with the remotes, if that fixes the problem, you can buy a remote cover for that tractor that will let the three point work and have remotes. when it comes to people doing their own thing, you almost always need to go back to stock before you can diagnose the oem part, then try to fix what they did.

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Thanks for the reply- I had a feeling that I would need to disconnect the remotes to diagnose. I think it is the original cover- it appears to be original and the only modification is removal of a plug in the top front and a port in the fill plug. I will see if I can block off and get to work.

If not, I may be posting a few pics to get some more feedback.

Thanks again

Buy the block that fits under the cover on the top housing. Install it and plumb the remotes to it. Put the plug back in the cover and you should have Hyd that work as they should.

I believe that any time you tap into the port in the hydraulic plate you must chain down the lift arms on the 3PH in order to divert pressure to the port.

(quoted from post at 03:53:13 03/20/09) I believe that any time you tap into the port in the hydraulic plate you must chain down the lift arms on the 3PH in order to divert pressure to the port.

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Can you explain that a little more? I am not following what "chain down the lift arms" means.

Also, is this block underneath the cover? I bought the tractor at auction so really don't know what is original versus aftermarket but do have the service manuals if it is something obvious that can be observed from outside.

It sounds like you have to have the shutoffs closed to be able th use the 3 pt. To use the remotes you have to have the psition controll all the way up.