Hydraulics health

[ancomcabs]

Is there a simple way to test/check the health of the hydraulic pump and/or motors. I'd rather not tear things apart right now, prefer to wait until after the winter. Everything seems to be functioning OK but frankly I don't have the experience to really know for sure Thanks

 

[Tazza]

No simple way. You need a flow tester for the pump condition, the motors, if it works well, it should be fine.
Any reason why you suspect an issue?

 

[ancomcabs]

No simple way. You need a flow tester for the pump condition, the motors, if it works well, it should be fine.
Any reason why you suspect an issue?

Not really sure if I can pin point it, probably paranoia more than anything. I'm not sure what to expect from a 30 +/- year old machine Lift arms and bucket tilt seem to work fine, no bogging down. I have a plow attachment I set up and the power angle works well both left and right. Driving forward and reverse seem OK, turning I'm just not sure about, at times it seems to be smooth but at other times I feel like it does not spin as easily as it should and I usually try and keep it close to full throttle when spinning in tight spaces. Have not used it enough to remember if it is more one side or the other.

 

[Tazza]

Not really sure if I can pin point it, probably paranoia more than anything. I'm not sure what to expect from a 30 +/- year old machine Lift arms and bucket tilt seem to work fine, no bogging down. I have a plow attachment I set up and the power angle works well both left and right. Driving forward and reverse seem OK, turning I'm just not sure about, at times it seems to be smooth but at other times I feel like it does not spin as easily as it should and I usually try and keep it close to full throttle when spinning in tight spaces. Have not used it enough to remember if it is more one side or the other.

If there are a number of hours up, it is possible its starting to loose a little power, but it really is to be expected. If you do notice a big difference in power from left and right, then its time to look further. If it drives a little faster on one side, also don't worry.
As your lift and tilt seem to be fast, your hydraulic pump sounds like its still in good shape.
You do really need to get the feel of your machine, then if there is anything not right that happens after, you will know.

 

[ancomcabs]

If there are a number of hours up, it is possible its starting to loose a little power, but it really is to be expected. If you do notice a big difference in power from left and right, then its time to look further. If it drives a little faster on one side, also don't worry.
As your lift and tilt seem to be fast, your hydraulic pump sounds like its still in good shape.
You do really need to get the feel of your machine, then if there is anything not right that happens after, you will know.

Thanks for the advice, hour meter showed ~ 1500 but it also was not working. There are no leaks in the hydraulics and all the hoses look to be original judging by the paint on them so I suspect the hours are probably on the low side for a machine of it's age. I'll follow you suggestion and keep an eye on things as I use it repairing things as they happen, like the fuel leak! Also probably not a bad idea to make sure all the hydraulic filters are new, not just the large cartridge style filter in the engine compartment- Thanks