Touch Control hydraulic fluid cooler

[Board shortener Tom]

Hi all!

A while back I posted about the hydraulics randomly dropping the fast hitch on my 140. Some of you recommended I check the fluid level. I did. It was a bit low so I topped it off. Today I plowed up a small area and things went very well. While using the 122 disc harrow the problem came back after a while. I noticed a bit of smoke coming from the Touch Control unit and realized it was hot! The fluid had gotten thin enough to require me to hold the left TC lever forward to keep the disc harrow from dropping while turning around for another pass. Since this is a short patch of ground I'm working up the disc harrow is raised often causing the high temp in the hydraulic system.....I assume.

Has anyone added a cooler to the hydraulic system with an electric fan to help keep the hydraulic oil cool? My other option is to unbolt the back half of my disc harrow and just run it that way. Kind of defeats having a larger disc setup though.

Thanks!

Tom

 

[Jim Becker]

I have never heard of a Touch-Control system needing any added cooling, except maybe with something like a loader where an added reservoir incidentally adds some cooling. It is more likely the control lever stops need adjusting. If not correct, they can force the system to maintain high pressure that is opening the relief valve. Try setting the stops on both control levers so they can't travel the last half inch or so at either end of their normal motion. If that fixes the overheating, there is an adjustment procedure for the stops for a permanent fix.

 

[Board shortener Tom]

I have never heard of a Touch-Control system needing any added cooling, except maybe with something like a loader where an added reservoir incidentally adds some cooling. It is more likely the control lever stops need adjusting. If not correct, they can force the system to maintain high pressure that is opening the relief valve. Try setting the stops on both control levers so they can't travel the last half inch or so at either end of their normal motion. If that fixes the overheating, there is an adjustment procedure for the stops for a permanent fix.

Thanks Jim!

I'm going to look into that. It makes sense too!

 

[Don McCombs]

I would also check the filter screen for an obstruction, if you haven’t already done so.
Remember to open the fill plug slightly before you loosen the screen plate bolts, unless you want an oil bath. Don’t ask how I know that.

 

[Board shortener Tom]

I would also check the filter screen for an obstruction, if you haven’t already done so.
Remember to open the fill plug slightly before you loosen the screen plate bolts, unless you want an oil bath. Don’t ask how I know that.

Thanks Don. I will check that. The guy I bought it from had rebuilt it right before I got it. I did change the fluid but never checked the screen. I had only used it to move snow until this year.

 

[Board shortener Tom]

Since Im going to check the filter screen I assume I'm going to drain a fair amount of fluid from the system I thought it might be a good idea to install a pressure gauge to see if the pump is constantly building pressure. I used the tractor for about 20-30 minutes the other day and noticed the rpm increase when I used the TC and then settle back down when I stopped moving the levers. Once the system was warm I noticed the pump seems to be sounding like it's trying to build high pressure all the time. I see a video where a guy installed a gauge in the port of the TC where the line coming from the pump attached. This would be the port/line closest to the clutch/brake pedals. Can anyone tell me what thread is in this port so I can get the right gauge and/or adapter?

Thanks!

 

[Gary Dotson]

I can’t say for sure on the 140 but on the Cub it’s 1/8” ntp, and would expect it to be the same on most models since it is a test port.

 

[Super A]

I know this sounds like a dumb suggestion but I tend to forget to check the easy things first: Is there anything-cultivator frames, etc. hitting the bottom of the tractor? That can keep the TC on high pressure and make it get hot.

Al

 

[Board shortener Tom]

I know this sounds like a dumb suggestion but I tend to forget to check the easy things first: Is there anything-cultivator frames, etc. hitting the bottom of the tractor? That can keep the TC on high pressure and make it get hot.

Al

Thanks Al but nothing is hitting the underside of the tractor. It's just a typical fast hitch with a 194 plow or 122 disc harrow hanging out back.

 

[Board shortener Tom]

I can’t say for sure on the 140 but on the Cub it’s 1/8” ntp, and would expect it to be the same on most models since it is a test port.

Thanks Gary! It looks that size by eyeballing it but I didn't know if it was something other than npt.