The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

Hi All,

I posted a while back about oil being blown out of the exhaust elbow on my 1955 major, and various members suggested I work the old girl reasonably hard, which I have been doing, and I am happy to report back that after unblocking the rocker cover breather pipe to the inlet manifold, the oil issue is is less of an issue now - it's still there, but not as much, so thanks to all concerned, hopefully next spring/summer will see her doing a decent job of work and that'll help alot.

However, I also recently replaced a bearing and oil seal on the offside back wheel to fix an oil leak, and all seemed well after putting it all back together without any major issues, the hydraulics seeming to be fully operational, at least by way of operating the lift arms, but when I connect my (empty) 3 ton tipping trailer, it will not tip - "feels" like not enough hdraulic oli pressue, so I thought something was wrong with the hydraulics - the connecting pipe between the pump and the hydrulics cover must not be correctly seated or some such, so I took it to my mate who has a 5 ton tipping (empty) trailer, which she managed to tip quite happily, so now I'm thinking, great it's not the tractor - must be the trailer ram, hose or the fittings - 1" quick release etc - then got my mates super major to tip my trailer, which it did, so now I'm back to thinking that its my hyraulics, but am confused as to why she'll tip one trailer but not another. I guess I'm gonna have to get the top off again and check that all is as it should be inside e.g pump or connecting pipe.

Anyone have any bright ideas as to what else it could be? as this has me confuddled at the moment!

Thanks

Shazbat

It does sound like a low pressure issue. Could be an idea to drain her and check the filter underneath first though before taking the top off.

Hi Brian,

You were right about the low pressure, it barely registered 500psi, so I'm now on the look out for a new pump - there are currently 2 on ebay, 1 with the whole top cover - so wish me luck.
Having said that, it could still be the pressure relieve valve in the spool control block, but as far as I know these are not of the adjustable type, so I guess it'll be down to sticking an "tanner" in the top, which I understand is the way it used to be done as a quick and dirty solution. The It&T manual also recommends adding shims, so maybe not as daft as it sounds.

Tractors eh - where would we be without them!!!

Cheers,

Shazbat

For anyone interested...

Filter was fine, Replaced pump - still the same.
So it could only be the Pressure Relief Valve!!!
Someone had already put a washer between the cover plate and the top of the valve, and no movement in the valve whatsoever.
Therefore spring below it must be knackered, so I swapped out the whole control lever assemby - complete with huge piston, now working like a good 'un.

Note to self - never assume the worst - always try the simple (obvious) things first!!!

Shazbat