Hydraulic Pressure

[geomarq]

Is there an easy way to check and adjust the hydraulic pressure on my unit? I think my older 371 needs it.

- Been using it for a month now, and it struggles with what I think should be no problem: pallets of stone/brick (half filled) and medium sized boulders

 

[OldMachinist]

Does your control valve look like the one in the picture below?

If yes then the pressure is adjusted at the main relief valve. You'll need to put a pressure gage in the system. If you have aux hydraulics you can hook it up there. If you don't you'll need to plumb it in at the rod end of the tilt cylinder. Run the engine at full throttle and bottom out the tilt up and read the pressure. On these smaller machines the pressure should be around 1200 psi. You adjust it by loosening the jamb nut on the reief valve and turning the adjustment in to increase pressure.
Some of the older style control valves had pressure relief valves that didn't have the adjusting screw and were adjusted using shims.