I recently picked up a pretty worn out 1974 3000 series tractor with a 730 loader and a 713 backhoe. The backhoe works about as expected with most of bushings needing to be replaced this winter while I am also replacing the rings in the engine (addicted to ether). Most of the grease fittings are plugged or missing which attests to the lack of maintenance.
The front loader is where I have the most severe issue. I switch the diverter valve to front and with bucket empty it lifts and goes down smoothly. The bucket mostly the same except when trying to retract all the way on the bucket. It gets "stuck" when going a bit past level if you go slow. Like lack of hydraulic pressure. If you lower the bucket a bit and quickly retract it then will go back all the way. Under load it is worse. The bucket with even a little dirt in it will not retract at all no matter what angle and the control valve makes all sorts of noise. Also if the bucket is even 1/4 full it will not lift and the same noise is present. The noise is something I have not experienced before but I will describe it like a little hammer hitting the hydraulic fluid through and just not able to move it any more.
I suspect either there is some screen dirty I cant find or the relief valve is worn or needs adjusting but looking at others to confirm or give me something else to looks at. Maybe the control valves are worn out and I just need to find a rebuild kit. It just seems a bit off that both are acting weak with the slightest load. Since the backhoe works I dont suspect the pump or fluid levels being the cause. I do have a service manual coming (multiple days out according to tracking info) for the loader and I already have one for the tractor and backhoe.
Someone did add a T in one of the lines with multiple different reducer adaptors and a plug for what I suspect to pressure test that line. I do have a 3000 PSI gauge that I could screw in to test but it would only be testing that one line and I didnt look to see where that line even goes (lift or bucket and extend or retract). I do plan on doing this test in the near future because it is raining today and next few days and I dont have space under a roof available for a few weeks.
What should I start looking? I cant have this tractor down for multiple weeks/months as I bought it do some work I have around the house that required the backhoe. The backhoe hydraulics are working and has no issues moving that tractor around while digging.
This post was edited by q5ka on 11/11/2022 at 08:23 am.
The front loader is where I have the most severe issue. I switch the diverter valve to front and with bucket empty it lifts and goes down smoothly. The bucket mostly the same except when trying to retract all the way on the bucket. It gets "stuck" when going a bit past level if you go slow. Like lack of hydraulic pressure. If you lower the bucket a bit and quickly retract it then will go back all the way. Under load it is worse. The bucket with even a little dirt in it will not retract at all no matter what angle and the control valve makes all sorts of noise. Also if the bucket is even 1/4 full it will not lift and the same noise is present. The noise is something I have not experienced before but I will describe it like a little hammer hitting the hydraulic fluid through and just not able to move it any more.
I suspect either there is some screen dirty I cant find or the relief valve is worn or needs adjusting but looking at others to confirm or give me something else to looks at. Maybe the control valves are worn out and I just need to find a rebuild kit. It just seems a bit off that both are acting weak with the slightest load. Since the backhoe works I dont suspect the pump or fluid levels being the cause. I do have a service manual coming (multiple days out according to tracking info) for the loader and I already have one for the tractor and backhoe.
Someone did add a T in one of the lines with multiple different reducer adaptors and a plug for what I suspect to pressure test that line. I do have a 3000 PSI gauge that I could screw in to test but it would only be testing that one line and I didnt look to see where that line even goes (lift or bucket and extend or retract). I do plan on doing this test in the near future because it is raining today and next few days and I dont have space under a roof available for a few weeks.
What should I start looking? I cant have this tractor down for multiple weeks/months as I bought it do some work I have around the house that required the backhoe. The backhoe hydraulics are working and has no issues moving that tractor around while digging.
This post was edited by q5ka on 11/11/2022 at 08:23 am.