MF265 hydaulics

Am a new owner of a 76 MF 265 with a bush hog 2400 QT FEL. I've got a service book. Loader has been working fine. But am trying to understand how to operate (raise/lower) the rear lift arms. The FEL has been working great - they are hooked up to the rear/aux hydraulics. There is a lever to the right of the operators seat that is bunged back. When I pushed it forward, I blew one of the rear hydraulic hoses. Not sure if I need to "disable" the rear/aux hydraullics to operate the lift arms or what.

Need to see some photos to see how the tractor is equipped hydraulically. Most had two internal pumps, one for three point only, and an auxiliary pump for the one or two spool hydraulic valve, if fitted. Also need to know if the loader has it's own valve, and how it's plumbed to the tractor. Early MF tractors used the three point pump only for loader and three point work, and could only use one choice at a time. That's when later tractors had the auxiliary option available for easier operation.

(quoted from post at 17:44:37 10/09/16) Need to see some photos to see how the tractor is equipped hydraulically. Most had two internal pumps, one for three point only, and an auxiliary pump for the one or two spool hydraulic valve, if fitted. Also need to know if the loader has it's own valve, and how it's plumbed to the tractor. Early MF tractors used the three point pump only for loader and three point work, and could only use one choice at a time. That's when later tractors had the auxiliary option available for easier operation.

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Totally understand needing pictures. It's dark now, but will get some pictures tomorrow afternoon. Thanks

Was able to snap some pictures tonight after work. I was thinking, maybe someone who better understand hydraulics than I can validate or tell me how wrong I am. When I put the "Auxiliary Hydraulic Control Lever" forward (it's the one bungied in the picture) forward, could the valve had shut and cause the return line from my FEL to burst? I'm pretty sure the hose busted came from the return side of the FEL controls. There are four hydraulic hoses at the rear of the tractor that can be used for stuff. Maybe someone had them hooked up wrong/backwards? Not sure about that because the FEL has always raised/lowered with ease and had no issues.

Thoughts?

Pictures didnt add not sure why, but you can see them at: https://goo.gl/photos/MD6jNVTEoaB9MsKv5

Ok. Think the photos can now be uploaded.

After a few trips to the local NAPA store for a replacement hydraulic hose (the first one they made, made it too short by about 4"). I got the hose replaced and the front end loader is working like it used to. As I started going through things though, I still can't seem to lower the 3 point.

A few questions going on in my mind:

Should I be able to operate the 3 point independent of the aux hydraulics?

I think the PTO is an independent system. Should the PTO need to be engage to operate?

I tried working the 3 point with the draft control lever all the way up (towards the rear of the tractor and down towards the front of the tractor. In each position, I tried moving the inner quadrant, nothing seemed do anything. No noise, no vibration or anything else.

I did just fill it back up full of new hydraulic fluid (thanks to the burst hose a couple days ago )

The tractor has the auxiliary pump since I see the handle with the strap. Tractor only has the single valve, so it needs kept tied back as the lines are going to the separate loader control valve. Some tractors have a two spool valve, then the loader valve would not be needed at all. PTO does not need to be on, and three point will work with no regard to the loader as three point has it's own pump. Three point outer lever is draft control, inner is position control lever. Both need to be up at quadrant top for full lift, use either one alone to lower the three point arms.

Thanks for the info!

I would expect that I could lower the links regardless if i have an implement on it or not. Doesn't appear they move with the levers. I guess I'll do more research on what to look at next then.

When you move the position control lever down the lift arms should go down even if don't have anything hooked up to them.

The probable causes:
Sticking control valve in the hydraulic pump.
Binding lift arms.
Adjustment screw between vertical lever, and control valve lever out of adjustment.

I haven't run across binding lift arms, now a sticking control valve, or the control valve lever out of adjustment is a lot more common cause of the lift arms not dropping. You would need to remove the draft speed cover on the tight hand side after draining some of the hydraulic oil out, and observe the linkage inside while moving the position control lever.

(quoted from post at 20:08:17 10/11/16)
The probable causes:
Sticking control valve in the hydraulic pump.
Binding lift arms.
Adjustment screw between vertical lever, and control valve lever out of adjustment.

I haven't run across binding lift arms, now a sticking control valve, or the control valve lever out of adjustment is a lot more common cause of the lift arms not dropping. You would need to remove the draft speed cover on the tight hand side after draining some of the hydraulic oil out, and observe the linkage inside while moving the position control lever.

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Ok, so I can rule out binding lift arms (i think ). Haven't had the time this week to remove the draft speed cover -- in a bit I'll try to find in the book I have where it talks about that. BUT, Added a bit more hydraulic oil this afternoon. Dipstick was a little low--still above the "LOW" mark, but just barely. New oil is pretty difficult to see on that darn thing.

With the draft control lever all the way up, man it goes back farther than I thought it would. I can move the quadrant control lever down and the lift links will go down 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Not great, but better. When lifting the arms back up they come up and at the highest point it shakes a little bit before reaching maximum lift. Not sure if that is normal or not.

I was also able to, with the quadrant control lever all the way "down/forward", after I turned the tractor off to get around it, I was able to push down on the arms without "too much" force (I'm only 190#'s and didn't have to stand on them or anything). I could hear some fluid coming through the system at that point.

Lastly, I did notice the top link cylinder does not move at all when operating the 3 point. Should it be going out when the lift arms go down?

"Top link cylinder"?? Do you mean the top link draft control spring? It should only move with a three point draft load, like a plow. It should not move by hand or with very light force, if it does it's incorrectly adjusted.

(quoted from post at 17:52:13 10/13/16) "Top link cylinder"?? Do you mean the top link draft control spring? It should only move with a three point draft load, like a plow. It should not move by hand or with very light force, if it does it's incorrectly adjusted.

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I could mean that. It's not what I would normally call a "spring" though. I've attached a picture (or tried to). Too dark now, to take better pictures. But at the top of the assembly where you attach a toplink there is a rubber "boot" that covers what I would describe as a piston. Of course, now that I type it out, I can totally see how it could activate the draft control.

Learned something new today!

I can't help but think that if an implement was on the back it would lower without me knowing any better. But that doesn't seem right. Need to pick up a few more gallons of Permatran III - when I do that I guess I'll drain all the fluid out and see if I can find the filter to see if its clogged.

(quoted from post at 20:08:17 10/11/16)
The probable causes:
Sticking control valve in the hydraulic pump.
Binding lift arms.
Adjustment screw between vertical lever, and control valve lever out of adjustment.

Click to expand...

Ok, from my understanding of the readings I've done tonight, my assumption is the adjustment is out of whack.

Hopefully, someone can tell me if I'm off base here. My reasoning is that when I turned the tractor off, and put the quadrant lever 'down' to lower the links. I can 'push' them down with my own weight. If the control valve was stuck, it wouldn't allow hydraulic fluid to escape. Correct? And the binding of the lift arms... well, they would bind regardless and since I'm not the Incredible Hulk, I wouldn't be moving them on my own.

Am I sound in my reasoning?