Oliver 550 1964 three points lift suddenly stop working

I check the hydraulic oil lever every day I work with my Oliver 550 logging on my maple bush with a PTO driven winch on the rear lift. Level is always pretty stable except today. I can't find any leak, but it was suddenly missing about one quart of oil and rear lift is no longer lifting. I feared a pump failure, but my front loader is operating normally on a twin external control valve.

I rather suspect something failed into the internal valve or some mechanical link up to the internal cylinder that operates the rear lift broked down.

Does anybody ever had such problem and was it possible to get parts to repair internal components of the double feedback hydraulic control ?

Thanks
 
Reading the story leads me to believe that the loader also runs off of the tractor hydraulic pump and not a front pump am correct? Your oil may be passing by the front seal of the hydraulic pump. Will the 3 point raise with no load on it?
 
(quoted from post at 08:23:07 09/21/14) Reading the story leads me to believe that the loader also runs off of the tractor hydraulic pump and not a front pump am correct? Your oil may be passing by the front seal of the hydraulic pump. Will the 3 point raise with no load on it?

Thanks for quick reply
I only have access to the tractor on week-ends, so don't be surprise by delayed response.

You can have a look at my tractor and winch picture on :
http://i1010.photobucket.com/albums/af228/lamimartin/Oliver%20550/2014-06-14150745_zpse2cc1afc.jpg

I only run from the original hydraulic pump. I don't have a separate pump for the loader (I wish I did, it is a bit slow). The OEM pump is limited to 1500 psi, which is sufficient for my gentlemen farmer needs. The winch can pull 6600 lbs from PTO power, but it only weights about 600 lbs and it is always on the ground when I pull anything. I will take it off the tractor next week end and check to see if the rear lift works without any load.

If I follow your clue, a front pump seal failure would leak into the transmission. That would explain where the oil goes... not very good news.

I will check on that, but if it keeps leaking, that would also mean potential damages below... thanks for the warning

I keep you posted
 
I checked the rear lift operation again last night. It does not move at all regardless of the amount of oil into the hydraulic, but remote hydraulic (front loader) operates normally.
I will check hydraulic fluid level for potential leak into the tranmission from the pump seal, but so far, it looks like a failure of the internal hydraulic control valve or linkage.

I just bought a spare Oliver 550 for parts (for 700$) that has the same hydraulic module which used to operate a few months ago before the clutch assembly failed (cracked housing) so it was no longer economical to fix. Only fuel tank and radiator were cannibalized. This will provide a complete working spare engine, wheel, power steering and hydraulic assembly, I figure this will help to keep my 550 operating in the future at minimal spare part cost. I should be able to get all required new "o"rings, oil seals, filter and gaskets. With that on hand, I'm confident that a mechanic can refurbish the hydraulic assembly. Spare part cost and shipping cost is so high and availability of critical components is getting so difficult that I saw no other option at that point.
 
I worked all day with the loader last week end and the only incident I noted is that the hydraulic oil cap popped up twice because the module was overflowing. Looks like I underestimated the amount of oil when the rear lift stopped working maybe because the tractor was not level and overfilled... The hydraulic oil would not get back up if it had leaked into the transmission and I doubt the loader would have operated normally for several hours if the pump leaked. This is a bit of a relief.

I'm glad I made such a simple mistake (oil level). I can see a bit of loss from the cylinders seals, but nowhere else. I temporately use a manual cable block with a big chain binder as safety to keep the winch off the ground on the defective lift, so my tractor is fully operational again. I am now planning to dismantle and inspect the spare tractor's hydraulic assembly to be reasonnably certain it will work reliably before I swap the units. I will likely get components inspected by a mechanic. This will reduce potential future downtime.

I first have to get all rocks and three stumps removed next week, the permanent access road and the area leveled so I can install a temporary shelter over both tractors before winter (20'x20'). I will use the tractor as it is in the meantime to move my 14' logs on my portable sawmill which can process even by biggest pine logs (about 25" diameter). Lots of fun before snow gets too thick to work on the sawmill.

I can't wait to have finished building my new double garage next year (24x32 feet). This will make tractor maintenance much easier with electric tools, a flat concrete floor (useful to check fluids levels... right ?) and overhead chainblock, compressor etc. Working in the middle of falling leaves, exposed to rain and else is just too risky for now.

Thanks again... I feel the adventure is only beginning.
 

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