3000 lift

When my recently acquired 65, diesel 3000 came here one of the first things I did was try it out with the bush-hog. I quickly noticed the lift shaking when trying to hold position so after research here I ordered a lift cover gasket set believing the piston ring to be worn. In the meantime I've done some blade work and used the boom-pole to pull some T-post and noticed no problem with the lift. Believing the problem must have been caused by the extra weight and leverage of the b-hog. I re-mounted the b-hog today (and stood on the back of it) to be sure and because I had seen here that air can get into the system. Lift worked fine today (must have been air that worked out) but it does seem to leak down faster than it should. So now I'm wondering if I should leave well enough alone or go ahead with the lift gasket set since I have it. I have the digital copy of the manual (from carburetor manuals) photos are a little fuzzy and the descriptions are a little intimidating, calling for Ford special tools. So I guess what I'm asking is just how big a job is pulling the cover (have a jib crane in shop) and replacing the rings. Having never seen one off your voice of experience is much appreciated.
MDW

I will let you know in a couple of days. I planed on starting to repair my 4000 today but my plans were changed.
If I am not mistaken the 3000 and 4000 are similar so check my post on "4000 lift kit" and the reply.

Have you changed the fluids in the hydraulic sump (and tranny)?

John

Good luck Charlie C. Apparently they are similar, that's part of why my manual is confusing, covering several models at the same time. I would much rather have a book that just covers a 65 ford 3000. In fact the copy I have 1965-1975 Ford Tractor Service Manual covers 12 different models and the closest hydraulic information is for a Super Dexta 3000.

John, being a new to me tractor, I did change the oil in the engine and transmission and have oil for rear end change but was waiting to drain it during the repair and replace with the new parts. Is that bad logic? If I decide not to go ahead with the cover overhaul I will certainly change the fluid anyway.
MDW

If it is working correctly I'd change the oil and leave it be. Just my opinion.

Not an expert however...those more knowledgeable than me will hopefully chime in.

John

being that the tractor is the age it is.... I'd leave it be. If the fluid needs changing (milky or incorrect) then change it.

I'm 55 now and my lift is a little shaky also. My joints are loose too. So we learn to live with it...

Now, there are those, who got to have it 'just right'. That's good...for them. Maybe you are that way... No problem. Couple a $Grand$ would get it just right..... sl

Thanks guys for the confirmation, that's about what I had decided. If she acts up again the kit will be here, if I can find it then. By leaving well enough alone I don't run the risk of creating some other problem in what seems like a delicate area.
MDW

I took my 4000 apart yeaterday to repair the hickup problem. Looking at the lift cylinder I found that it was scored and now I am looking for an other one.

It does sound like your might be that it just needs an oil change and some TLC.

Hope you have good luck finding a cylinder. I visited this place http://www.cltractor.com/clweb/ recently, they had acres of used machines. If you could get a few photos of that stuff apart it might help some of us in the future. Sometimes I take photos when working on something complicated to help me get it back together correctly. Especially if it is going to be apart for a while like waiting on parts etc.
Yeah, some time in her past my old 3000 wasn't treated like a lady. But she's in a good place now.
MDW