Hydrolics unstable

Also - and I'm not sure they are related - when I have something on the 3PL (in this case a fairly heavy slasher) and I divert to the loader the slasher will slowly go to the ground.

I have the set up where there is a diversion valve which chanels the hydrolics to either the 3PL or the loader.

Hope this helps.

Dan

Mdstudios@talk21.com

Your problems are not related. The switch valve isolates the two systems.

The settling is the nature of the beast - the internal lift ram has rings like an engine piston rather than normal cylinder packing, and the rings allow "blow-by" and settling.

And the creep sounds like a defective valve. My first reaction was "for gosh sake don't leave it in the garage!" but then got to thinking that you may have a man-eater on your hands.

If it creeps, something is not right, and something else could happen when you least expect it.

I'd strongly suggest replacing it - probably cheaper (and certainly safer) than attempting overhaul.

Hope this helps.

1. control lever for all up and down movement (ie. I'm talking about the one at your right hand with the draught control etc)

2. isolation valve which isolate the 3PL control from the FEL.

3. Bucket and beam valve to control which gets the good oil.

Now thinking aloud.

If it were 2 then I would expect some movement of the loader when switched to the 3PL but none exists. Its interesting that the the 3PL does go down when switched out but you've explained that with the "blow-by".

I'm not too sure what to expect with 3. Although I'm fairly certain that when switched to bucket that the beam does not move.

Doesn't that sort of indicate it must be the main control valve? That scares me a lot. I am a part-time farmer who relies on the Fergy to do my work (planting olive trees). Am I going to be able to replace this valve without destroying the beast?

Jon

Nice description - we're on the same wave-length.

I'm guessing that 3) is located up on the loader frame.(Two of ours have this configuration.) The pressurized fluid (diverted by 2) goes to 3, and in neutral returns to the transmisson. Some pressure is getting by the internal workings of yours, into the ports for the lift cyl.

3) is normally a 2 spool 4-way off-the-shelf valve unless you have some bells and whistles like self-levelling or float, or some specialized mounting. I haven't found either feature particularly useful.

If your hoses are all separate (none going into the loader frame with gaskets or o-rings) you should be able to exchange it with any suitable replacement unit. You certainly won't destroy the beast!

One of our valves is a Gresen SP4-4, 2 spool double acting (or 4-way), the other is a european 2 spool 4-way rated at 6 gpm, 2500 psi. (It was cheaper.) Cross is another common (and good) valve name.

The MF internal system puts out 4 gpm max. and the 35's have a 2250 psi internal relief valve.

The 4-way permits cyl operation both ways under pressure. In loaders, this means down pressure on the loader lift cyls. Some have only lift, with gravity lowering. You can get the proper valve combination for these (1 double acting and one single acting spool) but the standard one is cheaper; you plumb the unused port to the return line.

The only other snag you might encounter is the hose connections to the valve. The two common ones are pipe thread and o-ring boss (JIC?). The Gresen (and Cross) valves are normally pipe threads. Adaptors are readily available at the valve suppliers if your hoses are not pipe thread.

Might be a good time to take a good look at the hoses and fittings too - for safety. Checked or frayed hoses should be replaced. And a lot of loaders have been plumbed up with galvanized or black iron pipe fittings. These fittings are rated at 300 psi max operating pressure.

While they're OK in the return circuit, the pressurized system can run close to 2500 psi. Hydraulic fittings are rated for these pressures, and are not that much more expensive.

Hope this helps.