666 weak hydraulics?

This is just speculation but may be worth looking at: the -60 series (and others) have the option to select whether or not you want to control a one-way or two-way cylinder. This was accomplished by turning the exposed end of the control valve spool to either "D" or "S" (double or single).

So, if this is pertinant to the 666, you may have a spool selected for "S" when it should be "D". Or the spool may be stuck between settings. I might be all wet, but I'm thinking if you have a "D" implement, and the spool is set to "S", there is no place for the oil on the non-pressurized side of the cylinder to go--the system will fight itself.

Again, I'm am not fortunate enough to have been around anything as "new" as a 666, so this post may be worthless.

That's one i hadn't thought of, just swapping lines from one valve to the other. I shall try that.

Allan, I shall post a pic of the setup when I get home from work (700km away), but be prepared, this beast is a worker, not purdy like yours!

Just for fun, have you got a picture of that outfit?

Allan

Did the condition just start, or has it always been this way?

When you say it is "really straining", is it setting up kind of a 'singing' noise as well?

Like the hydraulic filter is plugged & bypassing?

If it acts as though it is "working" the tractor and making her 'grunt', then I would guess you have a restriction somewhere or something isn't plumbed quite right.

In either case, I'm like you; I think the basic hydraulic system of the tractor is probably okay and the problem lies somewhere downstream of the pump.

Are the lines run with 1/2" sized hoses, fittings, etc.?

Lastly tho, how heavy are your bales? That outfit should easily lift 'em, but if they are up there around 15 to 18 hundred pounds, it will certainly make her grunt a little, I would think.

Just some thoughts before the coffee,

Allan

Tractor is new to me, and was bought third party, ie, a reseller. So, I don't know if it was always like this or not. It doesn't sing. Filter was my first thought too. I have a new one but haven't had a chance to change it yet. Oil is dark but clean, as in no water or air bubbles. Lines are all 1/2" or bigger. Near as i can see, it seems to be plumbed right, but it just seems like it should have more than it does. The bales are probably 1300-1400 lbs, so maybe I'm just expecting too much. I would have thought it should still at least lift its own front end especially being it's a gasser so the engine would be lighter than a diesel. I see in the catalogs that there are different flow rate control valves available. That's why I thought maybe to look there. Or maybe the lift control valve is just worn out and bypassing somewhat. Guess I'll just have to get a test gauge and start at the pump and work down through the system. Thanks for the input!

Bear with me a minute here.

Maybe I'm way off base, but it really sounds to me like you are judging the tractor/loader only by it's ability to lift it's own front end off the ground.

My loader is the same way; I have to tilt the bucket to get the front wheels off the ground, but still it will lift any load I throw at it.

Different loaders have different characteristics & most throw more oil at the lift circuit than the lower circuit in order to control it's decent better. Maybe, this is just a loader thing and is just how the loader is.

But on the other hand, if the loader just plain won't lift your bales or works the tractor unnecessarily, then something is definitely wrong.

Tryin to help,

Allan