8N Ford tractor Hydralic problem

[Dave F.]

Looked at a nice 8n Ford to day, has hydralic lift problem, You can lift up the lifting arms (ones that are about under the seat) & they just fall back down? the pto works so the pump for the lift should work. Is this just an linkage problem connecting the arms to the hydralic piston? how hard is this to fix? Is this an expensive fix. Or should I just walk away from this tractor. I probably need this tractor like another hole in my head, I allready have (3) cubs that are running & working (2) parts cubs which I could make another running cub & a 430 Case with an front end loader talked about being a tractoraholic Iam hooked. thanks again Dave F.

[George Willer]

Dave,

The arms are working normally... they don't have down pressure. It sounds to me like a control or relief valve problem.

If you're allowed to, you can remove the round inspection cover on the right side and see if it's pumping oil and where it is going. The control fork can and does sometimes come unhooked.

If you can't inspect it, buy it minus the cost of a pump (expensive) or either walk away or gamble.

[WKPoor]

It could be a very simple fix. Sometimes the Fords just blow a gasket somewhere between the pump and the cylinder. The pathway to the cylinder is through a port in the case housing then through the top cover. If I remember right the oil crosses 3 or 4 gaskets on its way to the cylinder. Also the pump has gaskets.

[Mac from NS]

The son bought one that had froze and broke. Couldn't be fixed .