Wagner Loader Problem

Danny Prosser · Jul 5, 2016

Ok I have a Ford 640 with a Wagner loader on it. It has new pump and new control valve. The last time I used it all worked fine but the attachment broke where the bucket cylinder attaches. I took it home and repaired that and tightened one of the big nuts on the lift cylinder that had a leak when raised all the way up. I tried it several times and it worked and only leaked a little from that cylinder. Yesterday I was using it and when I went to raise the loader it would lift the bucket about 2 or 3 feet then it would act like it was in a bind and wouldn't go any higher. You could tell that the pump was working but the tractor would pull down and I'd let off of it because I didn't want to tear up my pump. What do you think it might be and what should I try to find the problem? Thanks for your help.

BarnyardEngineering · Jul 5, 2016

Have you checked the oil level? That is usually the problem.

If your oil is up to snuff, I would suggest you detach the lift cylinders and either take another loader or a come-along and a chain, and try to lift the loader manually, past the 2-3ft point where you seem to think it is getting in a bind. See if it is really binding.

It should be obvious where it is binding when you lift it. The frame should twist, something should squeak... signs like that.

ss55 · Jul 5, 2016

Does it hit a solid limit and start to twist like one lift cylinder is hydro-locked, or gradually get tight like a cylinder rod is bent?

Russ from MN · Jul 5, 2016

Good trouble shooting tips! But if it was low on oil the engine should not pull down, should it? I would disconnect one cylinder at
a time and run them full stroke to see if there is resistance.

Danny Prosser · Jul 5, 2016

It's like it hit the limit of travel and it does look like it wants to twist. It can't be a bent rod though because I have lifted it all the way up and down looking at the small cylinder leak and I haven't used it for anything since then. If it is hydro-locked what do I do? I pulled the big main pin out That holds the loader arms to the frame because it looked to me like it could have broke and was sort of twisting as I tried to raise the lift but it wasn't broke or bent. I think something is wrong with that cylinder but I don't know what it could be. I'm going to put some fluid in it when I get back to it and see if that helps but I don't think that low fluid would cause this. Thanks.

old · Jul 5, 2016

Pull the pins that hold the lift cylinder to the loader frame and let the cylinders drop then fire it up and try the controls and see if both cylinders extend as they should or if one hangs up

Janicholson · Jul 5, 2016

If the lift cylinders are push pull, with hoses on only the lift end, there can be oil trapped on the opposite end. If there is a plug in the opposite end port, the oil is trapped, causing a hydro lock. if the opposite end is piped back into the reservoir (best) the trapped fluid can return. The ram piston can leak from the extend side to the retract side. Plumbing the retract side also enlarges the volume of hydraulic fluid and allows cooling to happen even using the cylinder "one way". Jim

Danny Prosser · Jul 6, 2016

You could be on to something there. The loader is lift only no down pressure, however I remember that one of the cylinders is actually a double acting I think with one hose connection capped. I don't remember which one is which at the moment but your saying that one should be plumbed back into the return or back to the self contained part where the fluid is correct? I'll get back out to my land this weekend and check it out. It's got to be something simple as it worked fine up until last Monday but it had sat for about 2 months. Thanks to everyone on here for their help. I depend on this site and you guys for a lot of help and information. My dads been gone about 8 or 9 years now and he was my go to person. He could fix anything. I miss him everyday but worse when it comes to something we would work on and he would teach me how to do it. I'm teaching my grandkids how to do things now and it brings back a lot of good memories of daddy.

BarnyardEngineering · Jul 6, 2016

A double acting cylinder being used in a single acting application should have the unused port VENTED. There are vented plugs available, or you can just drill a small hole in a solid plug.

I think Janicholson is on to something. You pretty well fixed the EXTERNAL leak on that cylinder but there is still an INTERNAL leak. A bunch of oil leaked past and now can't get out where it used to before.

Janicholson · Jul 6, 2016

If it is a plugged top port, the simple answer (other than catching and re using the oil in the top of the cylinder) is to put an air vent/filter in that spot on both cylinders. But it will still leak fluid out the vent. Keeping it from leaking when not in use might be as simple as putting the bucket on a block when parked. Jim

Wagner Loader Problem

Danny Prosser

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BarnyardEngineering

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ss55

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Russ from MN

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Danny Prosser

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old

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Janicholson

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Danny Prosser

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BarnyardEngineering

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Janicholson

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