Vermeer 504G Gate Latch Problem

big a · Jul 18, 2017

Been giving my new to me 504G the once over.
Replaced a bearing on the starting roller, welded up a new pickup raise / lower lever, as the old one was broken off, and some general tinkering and adjusting.
Finally got tractor back home and hooked on to see what I've got.

Found that the gate latches won't go shut for some unknown reason. With cylinders fully retracted, the latch rollers are just on top of the axle. Everything on the latch linkage seems to be at full travel, but it's not going far enough to activate the gate latch indicator.

Noticed belts all seem to track a bit to the left, so suspected gate may be tweaked, but I've measured and compared all over and can't seem to find any measurable differences between left and right.

I'm kind of stumped, especially without someone to run hydraulics while I observe.
If it matters (can't see why it would) I'm running hydraulics off the belly pump of an M Farmall, and I've only got about 800 psi to work with. If low pressure was a problem, I wouldn't expect to see cylinders fully retracted.

Anyone got any thoughts?

M Nut · Jul 19, 2017

My neighbor has a 605G, and it sounds like the gate latch is the same as yours. His gate latches were doing the same thing when he tried
using his 990 David Brown tractor which has a known weak hydraulic pump. He switched it to an 806IH and the gate closed fine. He does have
to leave the hydraulics active for a few seconds after the gate is done lowering, as in those few seconds the hydraulics are still moving the
rollers over the axel to lock the gate shut. If you have access to a tractor with a better hydraulic pump, I'd give it a try. My guess is the M belly
pump doesn't have the psi needed to move the gate latches into the final locked position.

big a · Jul 19, 2017

I wondered about the pump pressure being too low too, but I can see the cylinders collapsing to their minimum length.
There is paint on the rod, right up to the seal, and they are going right to that point.
If pressure was too low (not enough force) I'd think the cylinders wouldn't pull all the way in?

M Nut · Jul 19, 2017

Gravity will allow the gate to fully lower. The hydraulic pressure is needed to secure the latches..........if my memory is correct.

draftx · Jul 20, 2017

I have to run the belts sometimes to get mine to latch. Keep the tractor RPMs up for highest pressure. If someone let the gate down on a bale it could be bent. I would hook it to your truck and take it to another tractor and see if that is the problem before I spent any money on parts.

big a · Jul 20, 2017

(quoted from post at 07:30:50 07/20/17) I have to run the belts sometimes to get mine to latch.

Was just getting ready to try this tonight, when my neighbor stopped by. We were shooting the breeze, and I leaned up against the back of the closed gate.
Heard a bang, gate went closed a 1/2" or so more, and latches went into place.
Cycled door a few times and it worked every time.
I hadn't tried forcing anything before, and I really didn't intend for this to do anything.
Balers been sitting a few years so things are a bit stiff.

Don't know why, but it's working! Old M pump seems to run it just fine.

keh · Jul 21, 2017

Lubricate hinge points.

A cylinder or both can be leaking internally and won't keep the latches closed. Doesn't sound like that in your case. Let it sit and see if cylinders leak down. There can be a leak in the control valve on the tractor. Cycle the thing a few times.

KEH

Vermeer 504G Gate Latch Problem

big a

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