1955 Ford 640 with vane style pump. Everything has been working great. I was out bush hogging and noticed the FEL was dropping and looked down. I developed a leak in one fitting to the bottom of one of the cylinders. I started heading back to the shed giving it enough fluid to keep the bucket off the ground and could hear a growl from the hydraulic unit when I did it probably from low fluid. Quickly jumped off and disconnected the bush hog. I had a little bit of 3 point hitch action remaining. Literally had to back the tractor into the shed as I couldn't raise the bucket over the threshold.
Pulled the cylinder and capped off the FEL. I checked fluid level and it didn't even register on the stick. Filled it up and ran the tractor for about 5 minutes. No hydraulics. Even last year after putting a new hydraulic manifold on and draining the system it came back after filling the reservoir. Not this time. I get no action on the 3 point hitch. Is it because it was actually running low for a bit? If so, what are my next steps? I'm a hydraulic system virgin. Be gentle. Thanks.
Pulled the cylinder and capped off the FEL. I checked fluid level and it didn't even register on the stick. Filled it up and ran the tractor for about 5 minutes. No hydraulics. Even last year after putting a new hydraulic manifold on and draining the system it came back after filling the reservoir. Not this time. I get no action on the 3 point hitch. Is it because it was actually running low for a bit? If so, what are my next steps? I'm a hydraulic system virgin. Be gentle. Thanks.