Ford 601 series - 3 pt pulses

Allkian

New User
I recently purchased a 601 series Workmaster. I have yet to find the serial # but based on it being a 4 speed with a PTO I ve guessed 641. Tractor was clean. Converted to 12V. Minor oil leak but otherwise fired up. It came with a brush hog and the 3 pt worked and PTO.

I purchased it to move small round bales. 800lb max. It s got wheel weights and per specs was rated for 1200lb+ so I figure it ll do the job. Have some livestock I feed and just going about 500ft or less on flat ground to move these bales. Got the tractor for $3200 with implement. Not a bad deal for the area. Greased it, checked fluids, all was well.

Got home and put on my 3 pt hay spear and now I ve got pulsing in the hitch when I go to lift any weight. There was a "check" of sorts on the 3 pt lever and I m curious if that might be indicative of some issue. I assumed it was just a guide for the brush hog but maybe more?

Any insight would be appreciated. I ve done a search but most pulsing questions have to do with newer hydraulic systems and this is quite a bit different from what I m seeing.

Planning to buy a manual today to get a better idea of what s what on this thing.
 
I tried to post pictures but couldn t figure it out. With some research I m thinking may be a leak in an O-ring around the pistons or maybe up by transmission?

The lift arms will hold when the tractor is off (with implement on but no extra weight) which is worth noting. So makes me think maybe a leak somewhere along the line vs issue with mechanics of the hydraulics?

Going to see if I can start er up and look for some leaks. I understand the compartment/door in the rear is by where the PTO lever is?
 
I recently purchased a 601 series Workmaster. I have yet to find the serial # but based on it being a 4 speed with a PTO I ve guessed 641.

641 would be the model number, not the serial number. The serial number will be near the model number and be between two diamond shaped markings, sort of like this: <>12345<> The serial number will tell you approximately when it was made.

As for the 3 point lift pulsing. It sounds like an internal leak, most likely around the lift cylinder piston. I assume that the small lever near the base of the 3 point control handle is in the up position, which means that the system is in position control mode. In position control mode the position of the control handle tells the system the height that you want the lift arms to be at. And there is some automatic feedback in the internal linkage such that if it detects the lift arms have dropped some it will direct more fluid into the cylinder to bring it back up to the desired height and then the internal leak lets it drop again and the system detects the drop and brings it back up again. Most folks call it "hiccuping".

If that is what is happening then the remedy is to replace the seal on the piston, which requires removing the hydraulic top cover. The top cover is the large metal plate that covers the hydraulic reservoir and has the upper lift arms connected to it and it is also what the seat bolts to. It is heavy so you need an overhead hoist of some kind or a strong helper to remove it. Once you have it off it's not difficult to replace the seal for the piston, but I would recommend that you purchase the top cover repair kit which includes all of the o-rings and seals for pretty much everything under there, and that you replace them all, as the hardest part is removing and reinstalling the top cover itself. So you don't want to fix the one thing you opened ity up for just to find out something else needs to be worked on a few weeks or months later. You should also follow all of the procedures in the service manual for adjusting the internal control linkages, and also check the cam follower pin and replace it if it is worn.
 
(quoted from post at 08:23:38 08/29/19)
I recently purchased a 601 series Workmaster. I have yet to find the serial # but based on it being a 4 speed with a PTO I ve guessed 641.

641 would be the model number, not the serial number. The serial number will be near the model number and be between two diamond shaped markings, sort of like this: <>12345<> The serial number will tell you approximately when it was made.

As for the 3 point lift pulsing. It sounds like an internal leak, most likely around the lift cylinder piston. I assume that the small lever near the base of the 3 point control handle is in the up position, which means that the system is in position control mode. In position control mode the position of the control handle tells the system the height that you want the lift arms to be at. And there is some automatic feedback in the internal linkage such that if it detects the lift arms have dropped some it will direct more fluid into the cylinder to bring it back up to the desired height and then the internal leak lets it drop again and the system detects the drop and brings it back up again. Most folks call it "hiccuping".

If that is what is happening then the remedy is to replace the seal on the piston, which requires removing the hydraulic top cover. The top cover is the large metal plate that covers the hydraulic reservoir and has the upper lift arms connected to it and it is also what the seat bolts to. It is heavy so you need an overhead hoist of some kind or a strong helper to remove it. Once you have it off it's not difficult to replace the seal for the piston, but I would recommend that you purchase the top cover repair kit which includes all of the o-rings and seals for pretty much everything under there, and that you replace them all, as the hardest part is removing and reinstalling the top cover itself. So you don't want to fix the one thing you opened ity up for just to find out something else needs to be worked on a few weeks or months later. You should also follow all of the procedures in the service manual for adjusting the internal control linkages, and also check the cam follower pin and replace it if it is worn.

Many thanks. And appreciate the location of the serial #. I will be picking up my manual today to make sure i know what s where but this is very helpful information. I ll definitely look at getting the top cover repair kit so I can get everything swapped while I ve got the cover off.
 
I put new piston seal rings and unloading valve oring in mine. I have a hiccup also. I think it's the check valve letting oil bypass. I'm
going to try that soon as I get time. I have read it could also be the pressure relief valve in the bottom of the hydraulic case (get a new
gasket) or the safety valve that is screwed into the piston case that you can reach under the 4 or 5 bolt cover on the very top of the
housing. My money is on the check valve, but I have been wrong before.
 

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