[Mikey4]

So my winter rig is all done except for snowshoes, which will be coming from Summit Racing.

The issue now is the lift for the blower. It is VERY slow. It works, but so slow as to be painful. I have had this tractor for a while, with no issues. It lifted the deck just fine.

I have checked and rechecked how the lift linkage is installed. All is correct. Everything matches the manual.

I checked the fluid level. It was a tad low, but not alarmingly so. Also, it has no leaks. The fluid was about an inch below the filter filler. I think the manual calls for 1/2 inch to an inch. I topped it off.

The filter on here is an original Gravely. It is a '91 tractor but has relatively low hours. Could the filter be the cause of problems? The ATF looked very clean. No odd smell. All seemed good.

Do these mechanical hydraulic systems ever need bleeding? It seems to me a bleed is only necessary when air gets into the system. Air gets into systems when fluid is dangerously low or when a hydraulic line is somehow disconnected for one reason or another. I've never heard of bleeding as a routine maintenance thing, but thought I would ask anyway.

Any suggestions on what/where to look for the cause of the slow lift operation?

 

[devans]

Not saying this is the whole problem but that blower does weigh a lot more than a mower deck plus it's way out front instead of directly under the tractor. Lift assist springs may be a good thing to put on.
Just my uneducated guess.

 

[arcam8123]

What RPMs are you running your engine at? The blower is harder lift than the deck.

 

[gravely1964]

Also make sure the lever is moveing the valve the whole way. Some of mine you pull it once let off a second then pull again to raise faster. Otherwise lifts slow. 818-t, and my 82 8163-B is like that.

Try the filter once. Won't hurt to change and most of the fluid is in there

 

[Mikey4]

Not saying this is the whole problem but that blower does weigh a lot more than a mower deck plus it's way out front instead of directly under the tractor. Lift assist springs may be a good thing to put on.
Just my uneducated guess.

Thanks Don, funny you mention that. I have two sets of lift assist springs, bolts, and latches. they really do make a noticeable difference when manually lifting a deck.

I was going to put a set on this tractor but lo and behold, the blower has no place to attach them! I've been noodling how to rig up an attachment system on the blower using existing holes.

 

[Mikey4]

What RPMs are you running your engine at? The blower is harder lift than the deck.

I was trying it at WOT, which is pretty much where I always keep the throttle when operating.

The 38" blower on the 816S is at least the same weight as this one and that tractor lifts it with ease. I had lift assist springs on it, but they were completely unnecessary.

 

[Mikey4]

Also make sure the lever is moveing the valve the whole way. Some of mine you pull it once let off a second then pull again to raise faster. Otherwise lifts slow. 818-t, and my 82 8163-B is like that.

Try the filter once. Won't hurt to change and most of the fluid is in there

Steve, is the hydraulic system supposed to work that way or is it just the way it works on those two tractors? To be fair, mine was sort of doing that when I first tried to get it to lift. After a few tries, though, that didn't seem to make any difference.

 

[gravely1964]

Steve, is the hydraulic system supposed to work that way or is it just the way it works on those two tractors? To be fair, mine was sort of doing that when I first tried to get it to lift. After a few tries, though, that didn't seem to make any difference.

No its not 100% right. Something like a bad valve or worn linkage perhaps causeing it

 

[WH401]

Thanks Don, funny you mention that. I have two sets of lift assist springs, bolts, and latches. they really do make a noticeable difference when manually lifting a deck.

I was going to put a set on this tractor but lo and behold, the blower has no place to attach them! I've been noodling how to rig up an attachment system on the blower using existing holes.

You could look at getting one of the lift assist brackets that mounts in the mower latches, putting pressure up against the rock shaft arm. Sheldon had one on his 16G with the same blower, not sure if he's still using it or not though. I'm pretty sure he has a picture in his improvement thread.

Nice looking setup, btw!

Rick


Sent from the MTF Free App

 

[jepics]

Thanks Don, funny you mention that. I have two sets of lift assist springs, bolts, and latches. they really do make a noticeable difference when manually lifting a deck.



I was going to put a set on this tractor but lo and behold, the blower has no place to attach them! I've been noodling how to rig up an attachment system on the blower using existing holes.

I have an old style blower with the bracket to attach lift assist kit. I don't need the bracket (hydro lift on the 18-G). I will try to get a picture of it tomorrow.

 

[jepics]

Ooh! I found a picture of it in my archives.

It's the white bracket.

 

[gravely1964]

Ooh! I found a picture of it in my archives.
View attachment 1485817
It's the white bracket.

Won't work on the new style blower. Theres no where to bolt them :dunno:

 

[Mikey4]

Ooh! I found a picture of it in my archives.
View attachment 1485817
It's the white bracket.

Thanks John,

I have a similar (same?) bracket on my old style blower. That is the perfect solution but it won't fit the newer blower. I have some ideas that involve bits of chain and the lift springs . . . . .

 

[Early8Q]

Nice setup! I picked up a 48 inch blower like that last summer for my '87 20G. I had similar trouble, and at times mine would barely unweight the blower. With the help of this great group along with Richard-tx and TUDOR I determined that the pressure relief valve was not set for full pressure. After I acquired a gauge and a few parts to measure the system pressure, I dialed it up to spec. It isn't really fast, but it's good enough for me. That is a beast of a blower, and it rocks on those rare occasions when I need it. I will try to find the thread for you when I am at a proper computer.

 

[Mikey4]

Nice setup! I picked up a 48 inch blower like that last summer for my '87 20G. I had similar trouble, and at times mine would barely unweight the blower. With the help of this great group along with Richard-tx and TUDOR I determined that the pressure relief valve was not set for full pressure. After I acquired a gauge and a few parts to measure the system pressure, I dialed it up to spec. It isn't really fast, but it's good enough for me. That is a beast of a blower, and it rocks on those rare occasions when I need it. I will try to find the thread for you when I am at a proper computer.

I was just reading about that in the literature that came with the tractor. I got put off that it starts out saying you need to pull the gas tank to do the job. I'm guessing its the same on you 20G as it is on my 16G.

 

[Early8Q]

Hey Mikey! You were a part of my learning way back in the summer of '14. Check it out, I hijacked your thread: http://www.mytractorforum.com/24-gravely/654209-16g-hydraulic-lift-issue.html

Here it is:
http://www.mytractorforum.com/6122785-post76.html

 

[Early8Q]

I didn't give Jason the props he deserves, shame on me. This list is a tremendous resource!

 

[Early8Q]

Hey Mikey! You were a part of my learning way back in the summer of '14. Check it out, I hijacked your thread: http://www.mytractorforum.com/24-gravely/654209-16g-hydraulic-lift-issue.html



Here it is:

http://www.mytractorforum.com/6122785-post76.html

I'm failing with my links, apologies. Look for the thread titled "89 20G rescue" by lt4xtreme. Jason guided me to closure. It's at the end of the thread. And I'm not so good with an iPad....

 

[TUDOR]

Check the pressure before you change the filter. There's nothing to be gained by changing parts unnecessarily.

From your description, I suspect that the pressure is right at the relief setting with most of the flow going over the relief valve. With some snow stuck to it, it won't come up at all.

 

[CPO Retired]

I have the same blower on a 16G, last year I acquired the lift assist bracket (which rests in the mower latches), springs, long bolts etc (most of which are still available from Gravely) it really helps with that heavy blower off the nose. Sheldon really helped me put it all together. My lift is the electric over hydro.