2950 hydraulic issues

T in NE · Jun 8, 2016

On a 2950 with the 8 speed transmission (4 gears, plus hi/ lo/ rev) The hydraulics quit once it gets warm. Never know when it will happen. Might road it for 10 miles, might load one load of feed with it. It's supposed to have had a bunch of transmission work done, but I don't know what or if any diagnostics were done. It acts to me like the filters may be plugged or the pump worn out. The loader is fairly slow, and slower with a load on. The system also takes some time to prime at start-up.
Think it would be worth throwing a filter at it?
It doesn't sound like it has oil bypassing anywhere.
Is the pump up in the nose on these?

centash · Jun 8, 2016

Yes, front pump, a filter replacement and system maintenance is a good starting point. Ben

Tx Jim · Jun 8, 2016

I was taught to always do the simplest things 1st which would be changing hyd filter & check/clean sump screen(parts key 15). The hyd filter for your tractor is very reasonable in price as noted below. Have you tested hyd with pto on & off and hyd hi-lo in both speeds? It's possible that the frt hyd stroke control valve in frt pump isn't seating correctly. What type valve controls the loader?

AR75603 Filter Element ADD 8.03 USD

buickanddeere · Jun 8, 2016

(quoted from post at 07:16:31 06/08/16) Yes, front pump, a filter replacement and system maintenance is a good starting point. Ben

Why replace a perfectly good front pump when the problem is it's receiving no oil from the transmission sump?

Tech 7 · Jun 8, 2016

I wish I could sell all the pumps that are sold to "fix" hydraulic issues.
In 25 plus years of repairing John Deere hydraulics I have replaced less than three complete pumps so I would be willing to bet yours is fine.
Does the transmission pressure light work? If so does it come on when there is a loss of hydraulics?
Does the hi/lo work still when the hydraulics stop working?
I know I am giving more questions than answers but remote diagnostics require this.

Al Baker(pumpman) · Jun 8, 2016

I have a 2950 waiting its turn into the shop with a much similar problem. I was told that ALL Mannheim Deeres of this era will need an up date done to the 3pt . The valves that control the up and down will start to leak and after time you will loose the power steering and high low function when idling after they warm up. I updated a 3150 this winter and will do the 2950 next week. Its not an expensive or difficult repair.You do have to pull the cab if you have one. Mother
Deere did send out bulletins on this years ago.

T in NE · Jun 9, 2016

I asked where the pump is because I've been on this tractor for less than an hour. It gets used as a back-up due to its issues. There is also a lot of oil on it around the front bolster.

Don't think the 3 pt works.

It's got a jd loader and joystick.

The light works. It came on before I lost power steering. Can't find a switch for a hi/ low function.

I roaded it about 10 miles at half throttle due to vibration from over-inflated tires. Opened it up the last half mile and lost power steering turning in the driveway.

Tech 7 · Jun 9, 2016

The O-rings on the rockshaft valves are a wear item not unlike the load control shaft seals....they have changed materials over the years attempting to get more life out of them.
(I may be stubborn but I pull the rockshaft housing with the cab on)

buickanddeere · Jun 9, 2016

How is the loader joystick connected to the tractor's hydraulics ?

T in NE · Jun 9, 2016

Didn't look that close. But looks to have
been installed quite some time ago. Sounds
like this developed much later.

I can't hear oil flowing like there's a
valve leaking like I could the 4020 at the
old job.

Robert Major · Jun 9, 2016

Hi We had one of those 2950,s that was brought used at the seed plant where I worked . at 8000 hrs it started giving problems. by 10.000 hrs it went down the road It had all the issues you said with hyds. It had never had rear end work but the brakes were shot so filings had gone through the whole system, maybe this has happened to yours and the transmission charge pump to feed the front pump is worn out to, could be other things as well.

On the one we had the high low shift was on the gear shift lever, you select the gear then the lever moves sideways to select hi or low without using the clutch. There should be a little green(i think) light that comes on to tell you what range its in. thats on the hyd console by the gear shifts if I remember right, the bulb quit in ours so it didn't work.
If that tractor was mine with good filters in, I'd be getting the proper JD shop manual, and test equipment or somebody that knows how to do it and running diagnostics. You cannot guess these problems and throw parts at it. I worked on an 1830 that was fun and totally worn out the guy junked that one due to the cost of parts to fix it, that had filings through everything to..
Regards Robert

tim s · Jun 9, 2016

Here is my thoughts..take it out back and...

Robert Major · Jun 10, 2016

Hi Tim
I quite agree but didn't really want to say that in quite this way and get the I hate Deere speech from a couple guys. They are a good tractor until they get hours on or are abused and not looked after. It seems to be getting way more common every week. Guys come on with a new to them tractor with problems shortly after buying them..

After the bother with those 2 and seeing the problems guys are having here. I know my decision not to own them for my farm or to buy them to fix for resale is right for quite a few models.

Some Guys are just dumping headaches on others in auctions or private adds, and the dealers that trade and sell them wrong, right off the dealer lot should be shot! Just because it's a deere don't mean it's not worn out junk and worth scrap money like any other brand.

Trying to diagnose a problem with gauges and flow meters then within seconds the oil pressure/ flow completely vanishes until you stop it and let it cool down again is real fun to L.O.L.
Regards Robert

jsborn · Jun 10, 2016

(quoted from post at 16:27:29 06/09/16) Here is my thoughts..take it out back and...

Tim
How many pounds of TNT does it take to fix a 2950 ??

Just had to ask

:lol: :lol:

tim s · Jun 10, 2016

I have threatened to find out a few times ;^)

grwrench · Jun 10, 2016

hello, TIM S. just could not pass up to comment on your destruction advise on these utility tractors. i've been working on these tractors for over 40 years now,, and have great respect for them. they have some weaknesses,, BUT, over all they are NOT THAT BAD.. with some patience and understanding on these they CAN be very serviceable machines. some have some issues from abuse,, and some need some upgrades, BUT i'll take 'em over the NEW ones today!!! just went thru a tranny on a new one,,, GIVE ME the older ones,, i can make them VERY serviceable. i am your greenwrench,, VA. FRIEND. so i hope my comment don't hurt our friendship. i called you on the 8640 a while back,, that project is still on hold.

tim s · Jun 10, 2016

It's all in Fun,,,I have been working on them since I was unloading them "New" off the truck,,and no I don't like anything about them,,and I know a lot of people do,, I understand them well...and they are nasty to sort out,, I am 'spoiled' on Waterloo units,, I turn most of them down when I have the choice,, and I still help a lot of people with the yet...I fuse about them..but again it's all in Fun,, my feelings don't get hurt....this forum is sorta like a coffee shop in print...a lot off good stuf,, and a little fun with it too...

T in NE · Jun 10, 2016

Well, now I have a few things I can ask about being done or not.

If I understand the story right, this belonged to my boss, he put it on big iron, his brother decided to bump it up a little and put in a bid when bidding stalled out, and ended up buying it.

Just like the v10 dodge and spread-axle belt trailer.

And he'll probably do it again on something else.

Sberry · Sep 21, 2020

(quoted from post at 04:59:38 06/10/16) I have threatened to find out a few times ;^)

Ok, wanted to bring this back up. I just got one in, a cab on it. Runs and acts fine, all worked and I washed it up running, by the time I got back in it nothing hyd worked. Works if the engine is revved up.

Tx Jim · Sep 21, 2020

Perform simple things 1st such as changing hyd filter & checking/cleaning hyd sump screen. After that is just perform hyd diagnostics, isolating hyd controls & checking temp variations of hyd controls after engine has reached normal operating temp.

My 1st guess is broken/leaking oil supply tubes for hyd pto &/or hyd hi-lo

Good Luck!!

buickanddeere · Sep 21, 2020

(quoted from post at 23:44:16 06/08/16) I have a 2950 waiting its turn into the shop with a much similar problem. I was told that ALL Mannheim Deeres of this era will need an up date done to the 3pt . The valves that control the up and down will start to leak and after time you will loose the power steering and high low function when idling after they warm up. I updated a 3150 this winter and will do the 2950 next week. Its not an expensive or difficult repair.You do have to pull the cab if you have one. Mother
Deere did send out bulletins on this years ago.

My 1640 has started to be a little witch recently with the rockshaft. I had hoped it was just the piston seals on the rockshaft piston.
The bleed off is not as bad if the load and draft lever is lifted as high as possible .

Tx Jim · Sep 21, 2020

(quoted from post at 12:46:58

My 1640 has started to be a little witch recently with the rockshaft. I had hoped it was just the piston seals on the rockshaft piston.
The bleed off is not as bad if the load and draft lever is lifted as high as possible .

I guess you didn't realize this thread originated over 4 yrs ago?

Maybe you should consider replacing that old trouble prone 1640 with a NEW JD TRACTOR!!!

Sberry · Sep 21, 2020

(quoted from post at 11:06:56 09/21/20)

(quoted from post at 12:46:58

My 1640 has started to be a little witch recently with the rockshaft. I had hoped it was just the piston seals on the rockshaft piston.
The bleed off is not as bad if the load and draft lever is lifted as high as possible .

Click to expand...

I guess you didn't realize this thread originated over 4 yrs ago?

Maybe you should consider replacing that old trouble prone 1640 with a NEW JD TRACTOR!!!

Ya, I am thinking that it works well cold that its not a major pump failure. Cab off sounds like fun,,, how long does it take?

Tx Jim · Sep 21, 2020

Sberry
You need to perform """very good diagnostics""" before considering removing cab or replacing a hyd pump!!!!!!!!!!

buickanddeere · Sep 21, 2020

(quoted from post at 14:06:56 09/21/20)

(quoted from post at 12:46:58

My 1640 has started to be a little witch recently with the rockshaft. I had hoped it was just the piston seals on the rockshaft piston.
The bleed off is not as bad if the load and draft lever is lifted as high as possible .

Click to expand...

I guess you didn't realize this thread originated over 4 yrs ago?

Maybe you should consider replacing that old trouble prone 1640 with a NEW JD TRACTOR!!!

I should next year or build a larger equipment shed.
Couldn't do it the past few years with the purchase of the daughter's house and wife's truck. Then the entire kitchen , roof, deck, basement floors, furnace, central air and water heater .

Sberry · Sep 22, 2020

Well I did find a bunch of gunk in the suction screen. I made it that far today, I need some new sauce.

Tx Jim · Sep 23, 2020

Be sure to get hyd oil that meets or exceeds "J20C" spec's.

Sberry · Sep 23, 2020

I believe the oil I got is current. I remember Ron at Shop Floor Talk said,,, dont use the oil in the yellow buckets,, ha. Ron is an oil engineer. I noticed the new I got today even looks clean and the inside of the buckets were super clean.
Is Travelers made by Mystic? Who is the maker for Deere?

2950 hydraulic issues

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