364 Hydraulic Problems (full up)

Having a problem with the 364 dsl hydraulics. Hooked up bottom plow and hydraulics worked just fine, no problems.

Went out to field and started to plow and on first pass with the hydraulic lever most all the way down the depth was fine.Then looked back and the plow was just skimming the surface. Moved the depth control up less than a inch and the lift went to full up.Then no matter where you positioned the lift control lever the lift is at full up.Looks like lift going to full up irregardless of control lever setting.

Fluid was changed has fall with little usage since then. Tractor has around 3k hours.

I assume you can rule out the pump since its a lose of hydraulic control and the lift goes to full up with a load on it. Going to run it till its good and hot and change fluid as next step.Could this be control or cylinder issues?

If anyone has any suggestions or experience with a similar problem I would really appreciate hearing from you. The extent of my hydraulic experience is keep fluid and filter changed and never had any red tractor hydraulic problems.

Hi on 364 hydraulic system the problem you describe will happen for the following reasons:
1)The draft control level is to far to the rear.
2)The top link spring mechanism has become loose.

Do you have a Operator's Manual? I have one for B414 which has same hydraulic system.

To check the top link mechanism on the rear of the tractor for excessive play. To adjust, look down in the hole in the top of the casting and you will see an adjusting bolt with a slot in the bolt for a screw driver and a jam nut on top of a square block. Loosen jam nut and screw adjust bolt until square block is resting firmly on top of spring below and there is very little play in top link mechanism. The feedback to the draft control sensing is via that chrome plunger beside the top link mechanism.

The other cause is misadjustment of plow and use of hydraulic levers. If the top link is adjusted to long the plow will not dig in and the top link sensing will tell the draft control to raise the plow out of the ground.

Proper use of the hydraulic levers when plowing, when the plow is in the ground push the 3pt lift control all the way forward, then adjust plow depth with depth control and shortening top link. Only use 3pt lift control to lift and drop the plow at the ends of the field. The first furrow will be difficult to start as normally your right rear tire is in the furrow. Once you get the first furrow plowed then you use the crank on the 3pt, top link adjust and depth control to get plow cutting properly. Also some plows have a side hill lever that changes the angle of the plow by rotating the 3pt hitch bar. In most cases just leave it set in the middle where both 3pt hitch pins are vertical to the ground.

Hope this helps
JimB

Thanks for the information.
I do have a operators manual and will set down and reread up on the hydraulics and their operations.

Also will check the items you mentioned.
It will be the a couple days before I can get back to the tractor since its out on the family farm.
Surely hope this helps resolves the problem.
Again thanks for the info.