Anonymous-0

Well-known Member
Need some help guys.Was using a 501Ford sickle bar mower,every thing going along fine.Then heard a loud bang,lift dropped and now lift wont do a thing.What in the world did it break?Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
The most likely thing is the lift cylinder. It is bolted to the cover directly below the seat. Lift up the seat and look for cracks in your lift cover, often this takes the brunt of it too. The cause is often the pressure relief valve on the pump gets stuck from years of never having to move. Too much pressure builds up in the cylinder and something has to give. Also, there are adjustment points on your lift control, they should be set so the lift arms NEVER go up to maximum height, if they reach max. height and the control valve is still feeding the fluid to the cylinder and the relief valve is not working, something's gonna let go!

Last year I just rebuilt the pump and refreshed the entire lift on my 202 (same as a 35), the only thing I didn't do was replace the relief valve. I was just testing it without even a load on and it got to the top and kept on pushing, there was a loud bang like you describe and nothing worked. It was a cracked lift cylinder.
If you search a bit you should be able to find many posts about it. Whatever you do, when you are fixing it, get a new relief valve, they are less that $20 (if I recall correctly).
Could also be the pump I guess but I can't imagine what would cause it to suddenly go like that.
 
Hi, to add to what Inno has said;
On the front area of the lift cover you will see 4 larger nuts in a rectangular pattern. Check carefully to see if any of them have moved. They will probably be 13/16"AF socket size. Try a socket or spanner on each one and see if they move. If any of them move that would suggest a broken lift cylinder.
DavidP, South Wales
 
Took seat off ,didnt see any cracks in housing.Checked the 4 -3/4 nuts in a rectangler pattern.One of them was loose,other 3 tight.Do I pull the whole top plate off now,or is there some thing else I need to check?I really do apprecitate the help.
 
Hi Joe;
One or two loose bolts indicate a broken cylinder. Nothing short of removing the hyd cover now. It would be advisable to buy a good workshop manual or at the very least take detailed photos of the way the linkage between the control levers and the pump lies once you have the cover off. It's very easy to put it back wrong. When you have stripped it as far as the cylinder and removed it examine the studs very closely. They are a precision fit in the cover. If any are bent you will not be able to start them in the new cylinder. Fit a new O ring between the cylinder and cover.
Let us know what you find and if you need any more help.
DavidP
 
Got the top plate off today.It split the lift cylinder.So I am on the hunt for another one.Any suggestions?
 

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