L2550 3 point hitch won't lift any weight

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Lost_Jeep

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L2550DT w/ BF400G FEL & L4530B backhoe
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My L2550 3 point hitch doesn't want to lift any weight. It will go up (slowly) to full height with no weight on it. With weight (my scraper blade) it only goes up a couple inches, if i lift the scraper blade manually, it'll hold in place (and stay in place if I stand on it). Let it sit overnight and it didn't noticeably drift down.

The tractor is newer to me, I recently had it split to replace the clutch. This is the first time I've put an implement on the back, and discovered the weak 3 point. I did confirm I have the lines off the hydraulic block connected correctly. Tractor has an FEL, that works and will lift the front, so I have pressure from the pump. Fluid was replaced when i did the clutch, and the level is good. I checked and adjusted the position control rod (no change). Removed and looked over the relief valve under the seat (looked fine, wasn't dirty or rusty). Confirmed FEL hydraulic lines are oriented correctly (ie power beyond line is connected correctly). I disconnected the FEL lines and moved the selector on the hydraulic block, no change.
 
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Lost_Jeep

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TheOldHokie said:
If it has the draft control option make sure its disabled.

Dan
Click to expand...
It only has the 1 lever, so I'm assuming no draft control. I also played with the lowering speed knob, that does what it's supposed to, but didn't help with the arms not lifting.
 
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TheOldHokie

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Lost_Jeep said:
It only has the 1 lever, so I'm assuming no draft control. I also played with the lowering speed knob, that does what it's supposed to, but didn't help with the arms not lifting.
Click to expand...
Time to do a little trouble shooting. The lowering speed valve has no role in this

The loader works so you have hydraulic flow and pressure up front. Start there and follow the neutral circuit rearward until flow and pressure disappears.

Do you have rear remotes? If so check for pressure there and make sure all valves are in neutral. If any one of them is shifted out of neutral it will block the 3pt.

Dan
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

North Idaho Wolfman

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Look at the feedback linkage:


1769283714368.png
 
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Lost_Jeep

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I don't have rear remotes, or anything additional tied to the hydraulics (beyond the FEL).

I did check and adjust the feedback lever / position control rod already. That seems to work as I can limit/adjust the max lift height (with no weight on the arms).
 
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TheOldHokie

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Lost_Jeep said:
I don't have rear remotes, or anything additional tied to the hydraulics (beyond the FEL).

I did check and adjust the feedback lever / position control rod already. That seems to work as I can limit/adjust the max lift height (with no weight on the arms).
Click to expand...
Post a picture of the block and loader connections.

Disconnect loader PB hose at outlet block and vetify flow with loader valve in neutral.

If you have flow at PB hose reconnect that hose, disconnect hard lune going to 3pt, and vrrify flow and test pressure at outlet block.

Dan
 
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Lost_Jeep

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20260124_172945.jpg


Loader is a Kubota BF400G, loader valve has 7 hoses, 3 connect to the block.

Unfortunately, I don't have a suitable gauge to check the hydraulic pressure, but I can disconnect lines and check for flow. I can see how much flow comes out of the hard line that feeds 3 pt off the block.
 
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TheOldHokie

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Lost_Jeep said:
View attachment 168771

Loader is a Kubota BF400G, loader valve has 7 hoses, 3 connect to the block.

Unfortunately, I don't have a suitable gauge to check the hydraulic pressure, but I can disconnect lines and check for flow. I can see how much flow comes out of the hard line that feeds 3 pt off the block.
Click to expand...
If you mean at the flanged connection under the seat that can be messy. Before you do that check for flow out the loader power beyond hose - loader valve in neutral and engine around 1500 RPM.

Unfortunately I am not familiar with that block. Do you have a picture from the owners manual showing the layout? Maybe NIW can help with that.

Dan
 
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Lost_Jeep

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TheOldHokie said:
If you mean at the flanged connection under the seat that can be messy. Before you do that check for flow out the loader power beyond hose - loader valve in neutral and engine around 1500 RPM.

Unfortunately I am not familiar with that block. Do you have a picture from the owners manual showing the layout? Maybe NIW can help with that.

Dan
Click to expand...
I meant the block outlet that feeds the hard line that goes back to the 3 point, but I can do the same thing with the Power Beyond line coming back to the block.

Screenshot 2022-08-11 185909.jpg
 
North Idaho Wolfman

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Lost_Jeep said:
View attachment 168771

Loader is a Kubota BF400G, loader valve has 7 hoses, 3 connect to the block.

Unfortunately, I don't have a suitable gauge to check the hydraulic pressure, but I can disconnect lines and check for flow. I can see how much flow comes out of the hard line that feeds 3 pt off the block.
Click to expand...
Super simple and quick test.
Turn the slot on the side, this will direct flow to only the three point bypassing any of the loader connections.
If the three point starts to work then you have a quick disconnect issue.

1769297561332.png
 
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Russell King

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North Idaho Wolfman said:
Super simple and quick test.
Turn the slot on the side, this will direct flow to only the three point bypassing any of the loader connections.
If the three point starts to work then you have a quick disconnect issue.

View attachment 168778
Click to expand...
He said he tried that (“I disconnected the FEL lines and moved the selector on the hydraulic block, no change.”) but I don’t see any evidence of that being turned in the last few days. It looks like that slot has not been touched in quite some time!
 
North Idaho Wolfman

North Idaho Wolfman

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Russell King said:
He said he tried that (“I disconnected the FEL lines and moved the selector on the hydraulic block, no change.”) but I don’t see any evidence of that being turned in the last few days. It looks like that slot has not been touched in quite some time!
Click to expand...
Yea that selector has not been turned in quite some time.
 
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Lost_Jeep

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North Idaho Wolfman said:
Yea that selector has not been turned in quite some time.
Click to expand...
Despite the heavy layer of rust protection (oily grime), that's the selector I moved. When up (turned clockwise), the FEL doesn't work, and the 3 point shows the same symptoms (moves slow & won't lift any weight), when down (counter clockwise), the FEL works.

20260124_194728.jpg
 
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TheOldHokie

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Lost_Jeep said:
Despite the heavy layer of rust protection (oily grime), that's the selector I moved. When up (turned clockwise), the FEL doesn't work, and the 3 point shows the same symptoms (moves slow & won't lift any weight), when down (counter clockwise), the FEL works.

View attachment 168782
Click to expand...
We could guess for weeks on end. You need to invest $20 for a pressure gauge and get some empirical measurements.

Dan
 
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Lost_Jeep

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I ordered a hydraulic pressure gauge, going to be a few days before it gets here.
 
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Russell King

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Lost_Jeep said:
I ordered a hydraulic pressure gauge, going to be a few days before it gets here.
Click to expand...
You will probably need some adapters and a disconnect half to get the gauge connected to the tractor???

And sorry about that screw looking untouched statement. The grime just looks like normal oil/dirt sludge not something that can survive a screwdriver twist!
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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Highly unlikely a pressure issue as the loader works.
More likely a control linkage or three point valve issue.
You don't have the three point speed adjustment set to one extreme or the other do you?
 
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