IH 574 Three Point Lift Problem

Help! I just bought a 1974 IH 574 diesel from a local man I was already aquainted with. The lift arms went up normally with nothing attached. I went to till a few acres for my neighbor the other day, and after I hooked up his tiller, the lift would not work. (I tilled anyway)
Got a hold of the guy I bought it from, and he says that he had recently used the tractor with a 7' bush hog without a problem.
O-K, my 1st reaction is to try changing the filter and cleaning the screen (just hoping it's not a bad pump!), which I will do soon.
I've also heard that the disintegration of the parking brake can cause the hydraulics to get clogged on these tractors (and my parking brake seems to be disintegrated)- so I'm curious: Any way to determine if that's the problem? And if so, how do I clean the crud out?
Any other suggestions for troubleshooting the problem would be greatly appreciated. Also, if the tractor needs a pump, how hard is it to replace? Would I need to split the tractor?

Hi Rchie, simple things first, does the power steering work? There is only one hydraulic pump on these tractors but there is a MCV splitter valve that splits the 12 gpm pump flow into 3 gpm for PS & PB and 9 gpm for 3pt and remotes hydraulic outlets. First check hydraulic oil level with dipstick at your left heel, second make sure draft control lever is fully forward(lever next to 3pt but closest to fender), third crank steering wheel to maximum left & right until you hear the hydraulic relief valve squeal, next if tractor is equipped with remote hydraulic outlet move the remote outlet control lever forward until you hear the hydraulic relief valve squeal, repeat in the rev direction, make sure remote control lever returns to the center OFF position. Now try the 3pt.
It does not hurt to over fill the hyd/trans by 5 gallons on these tractors.

Does the parking brake hold on a slope?
If none of the above works please repost.

JimB

Hi, Jim! Thanks for the reply! The power steering was working...but was a little jerky- whereas it was previously perfectly smooth before. I did add some more hydraulic fluid when I first noticed the problem. Seemed like the lift went up just a little the first time I tried it, and then nothing. Draft control was all the way down (I tried all the levers in various combinations....nothing seemed to make any difference).
The steering did get turned full lock several times while I was tilling....but I will do what you suggest, also, for good measure. Probably won't get a chance to fool with it till Tuesday though.
Thank you very much for the suggestions. Oh, and no, the parking brake does not hold. That is my prime suspect...so I am wondering how one can verify if brake band material is indeed clogging the hydraulics, and how it can be remedied? Please check back again in a few days, and I will have more info.

Rich

PS: The power steering pump was leaking when I went to buy the tractor, and the guy who owned it fixed it before I took posession, if that helps (or hurts) any.

Hi Richie, the parking brake material will clog the hydraulic filter. A few years ago my brother had a summer student helping him during haying and the student drove his 684 with the parking brake on. It took three hydraulic filter changes before the muddy stuff cleared up. Someone on this borad suggested to place a cow(magnets that vets place in cow's stomaches to collect metal bits) in the hydraulic filter canister to collect any metal bits. The worst case is when the brake material gets past the filter and clogs the MCV or other valves in the system.

JimB

Thanks again, Jim!! I'll bet that's what the problem is. Tomorrow I'm going to drain the fluid and change the filter.....and then maybe I'll be able to tell.

I sure do appreciate the help- and I'll keep you informed.

By-the-way: I'd like to get a service manual for this tractor. Any idea which company puts out the best and most thorough one? (Preferably one with wiring diagrams and all....)

Thanks,
Rich

Hi Richie, I have the I&T Service Manual for 684.
It is very good for doing overhaul and repair. You still require some mechanical knowledge to use the I&T manual but is not the answer for day to day service and electrical diagram.
The electrical is significantly different between the 74 Series and the 84 Series. The best book for electrical was the IH Operator's Manual for 74 Series tractors. We had one but loned it to a neighbour that suddenly passed away and widow didn't know where her husband had put the book.

My 2 cents on service book
JimB

Today's update: Well...I don't suppose that the pump is bad, 'cause just out of the blue, the tractor lifted the tiller today when I went to move it!
I took off the filter- and there was indeed evidence of metalic crud in there- which I suppose is the remains of the parking brake. Drained the hydraulic fluid (found some nasty metalic pieces in the concave area of the drain plug) and the fluid was pretty nasty- quite dark with some foamy areas.
My plan is to strain the nasty fluid and install a new filter...run it for a few hours like that (my neighbor has a field that needs discing...perfect opportunity!) and then drain and discard the fluid and change the filter again and add brand new fluid.
Does that sound like a plan? Or is there a better way to clean it out? Also, am I correct in assuming that this tractor takes the Universal Hydraulic fluid?
I have a feeling if I can get this cleaned out a bit...all will be well. My neighbor suggested blowing compressed air through where the dipstick goes, to force any stuck crud out. Whatcha think?
I have a feeling this filter is clogged. It is surprisingly heavey! The screen was pretty clean though.
Any more info greatly appreciated.

Richie, The recommended hydraulic fluid is CIH Hytran fluid. There has been several discussions on this board about Hytran and equivalents, so search the archives about Hytran. My brother has used the EXXON equivalent for years without problems. I don't know what to suggest to flush out the trans/hydraulic system. The problem is that even if you drain the system there is still about a gallon or more in parts of the system that don't drain. I do believe putting a magnet in the filter canister by the screen should help collecting the metallic bits. Probably take another couple of filter changes to cleanup the sytem.

Good luck
JimB

Uh-oh! I just filled 'er up with Universal Tractor Trans/Hydraulic fluid from TSC! (Gotta do some reading as you suggest)- Oh well...it won't be in there too long- just till the new filter starts getting clogged...then I'll change it again. (Didn't end up re-using the old fluid...it was too finky- wouldn't even strain good)
I have a geeling my hydraulics will be O-K....but I never got to test 'em, as it turns out the tractor has a chewed up spot on the flywheel, and it just happened to land on that spot, so now I can't start it, till my neighbor gives me a bump!! (Gotta see if I can improvise a way to turn that motor somehow when this happens).
Thanks for all the advice, Jim- I sure do appreciate it. Heh....I got this tractor for $3850- and it's got a rebuilt motor with only 300 hours on it and runs real sweet...so despite the few little problems, I'm really loving this tractor! (If my neighbor volunteers to help, I might even split it to do the flywheel...and fix the parking brake while I'm at it)

Just a quick update: With the new filter and clean fluid, just used the tractor to move a big round hay bale....and it lifted it with NO PROBLEM!!! I'd say "problem solved"!

(Unfortunately, the tractor has a chewed up flywheel...so if it lands on the bad spot when ya shut it down, ya can't start it- so I have to carry a bottle jack and some blocks of wood with me so I can jack er up and spin a wheel to mopve the flywheel to a better spot if I'm not on a hill at the time...but for a sweet running, good working tractor for $2850, I'm happy as a clam)

Thanks again for the help, Jim!!

...that should say "$3850" above.....