Ford 3400 backhoe

poorplowboy · Apr 19, 2009

I have a couple of problems, First I seem to have alright?(seems like it could be more) hyd.pressure on everything except lift on the rear boom.won't even lift a 1' bucket of dirt.Down pressure will lift the tractor.
The 2nd issue is a clunking noise,twards the rear while driving in low range(forward & rev.)that stops when I engage the cluch or go down hill.Can't seem to hear it in high range. Clunk....clunk....clunk....clunk....etc. The guy that had it prior to me said he put new brakes on it. Do you think that something was not put back together right?

steve n carolyn · Apr 19, 2009

Just a guess here on the firs issue,
sounds like the pressure is fine, but a snag in the delivery of it. This could be caused by many things.

First, id check the linkage adjustment. next I'd suspect the poppit valve and seat for wear OR trash. next I'd suspect the valve body for a crack or internal leak (on that circut).

Another possibility is a hose delaminating on the inside.

I do believe that the hoe is the removable type on the 3500. That would make it easier to work on.

Post this in the FORD forum too. and let know what you come up with!.....sl

M Nut · Apr 19, 2009

I'm no expert by any means, but my 3500 was doing the same thing in terms of the hydraulics. All cylinders seemed for have fair lift, but the main stick was not able to hardly lift itself, let alone a bucket of dirt. Had my hydraulic pump tested and it was only putting out 500 lbs of pressure. Ended up replacing the pump and it made a new machine out of it. It will now throw the whole tractor and loader around like a toy if you're not careful. It is a digging fool with the new pump.
My breaks do make a clunking sound too, but I discovered, for what ever reason, if the break pedals are pinned together (as opposed to using them independent) the noise goes away and they work just fine for stopping the tractor.

poorplowboy · Apr 19, 2009

Do you know what a new pump cost? and where I can find one?

steve n carolyn · Apr 19, 2009

roughly $400. where? they are all over the place. A gauge to test is about $30. (at a hyd hose repair shop) + any fittings. You may also be able to rebuild yours.

You had mentioned that it all worked fine except one circuit, so I doubt the pump is shot.

I did look into my CASE manuals regarding the hoe problem on your Ford. I read that another possibility was damaged or worn packing on ONE of the cylinders. One way this can be tested, is by switching hose connections....sl

M Nut · Apr 19, 2009

Well, a new pump was about $550 through my local Ford dealer. I also paid them to install it and do a couple of other things while it was there.(New oil and Filter too!) Bill ended up being $900, but it made a real nice working machine out of a $5000 pile of junk. I put the brand new pump on, a brand new carburetor I bought from this website, and now instead of it being a complete hassle to use, it is fun to use. I find things to dig up just to play.
I don't blame you a bit for trying to trouble shoot all options before replacing the pump, as it is not cheap to do. However, I did the same thing, and nothing made any difference. The whole time it was simply that the pump was to wore out to move the boom cylinder effectivly, but all the other seemed ok. Now, with the new pump, I really notice that they were actually weak too, compared to what they are capable of now.

Ford 3400 backhoe

poorplowboy

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steve n carolyn

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M Nut

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poorplowboy

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steve n carolyn

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M Nut

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