Ford 4000 tractor hydraulics.

veryretired

Hi there. Totally new to tractor hydraulics and wondering if I can attach a tipping car trailer to a Ford 4000 tractor.

I have an old 4000 that is working ok. The 8x5 trailer had its own ram and hand pump. The pump can't be repaired (no spares available).

Piston kit needed for pump.

A new one is around €300 depending what you want.

I'm wondering would it take much to be able to connect to the hydraulics on the tractor so I can tip the trailer.

Any advice and info much appreciated.

It looks a mess I know. I keep telling them to clean it down. 😐️

hopeso

In theory, a length of hydraulic pipe from the ram on your trailer to the valve on the back of the tractor would do it... The biggest potential problem that I see is that your tractor would have far greater hydraulic pressure than the hand pump on your trailer, and might damage the seals on the ram if they aren't designed for such pressure..

veryretired

Hopeso Thanks for that. I was thinking pressure might be an issue. Is it possible to get a pressure restrictor/regulator for the line?

FintanMcluskey

I'd imagine the pressure is likely similar on the jack and the tractor.

It's the flow rate that's the issue, the flow rate is multiple times higher on the tractor

This might help reduce the flow

https://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/hydraulic-flow-control-valves/2435521?cm_mmc=IE-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-PLA_IE_EN_Pneumatics_%26_Hydraulics_Whoop_HI-_-(IE:Whoop!)+Hydraulic+Flow+Control+Valves-_-2435521&matchtype=&aud-827186183886:pla-338833039658&gclid=CjwKCAiAsNKQBhAPEiwAB-I5zXXkHjRYc5Hl7Rvx8qigMBGNT1CjD2bLEkh1YU3_hNunsDpZ21-Z4BoCG64QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

hopeso

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118675468#Comment_118675468

Probably, but everything you add is going to add to the cost.....Maybe your best first step is to contact someone who services those trailers, and get their opinion on the capability of the ram.

You could also get a new ram made, capable of taking the pressure, but again it's going to cost....

veryretired

Thanks all for your comments. Reading the data about the ram and it is rated at 300 bar.

FintanMcluskey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118675733#Comment_118675733

That Ford won't get near 300 bar.

It would be doing very well to reach 200 bar!

The hand pump likely had the capability to generate greater pressure than the tractor.

The flow rate would be much less however.

I'd connect it up and leave the tractor at a low idle while tipping the trailer. It may well be OK without a flow restrictor

cjpm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118675770#Comment_118675770

Good advice from @FintanMcluskey

You already have the connector on the tractor. It’s on the end of the hose left of the top link in your photo. Connect up to that and there should be a way of diverting the oil to it around the lift control of the tractor. Once it’s diverted the raising the lift control will tip the trailer.

@blue5000 might be able to explain a bit clearer.

blue5000

Take the old hose off the trailer ram, measure how much you need to go from the ram to the tractor. Take the old hose with you in a plastic bag to a local agri machinery supply store and they will make up a new hose. I suggest 3/8 inch hose instead of 1/2 inch as it will restrict the flow a bit. Shouldn't cost more than about 50-60 euro, that looks like a 1/2 inch coupler on the tractor.

Melodeon

As others have said, the pressure won't be an issue, but the flow rate could be.

A quick-n-dirty poor man's flow restrictor can be made using a blank (no through hole) adaptor somewhere on the hose. Drill a 1mm hole through it and see how it works, and go up in 0.5mm increments until you're happy with it.

Your hydraulic hose place of choice will have suitably sized blank adaptors, and they're cheap.

Figerty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118675770#Comment_118675770

Tested my old 4000 hydraulic pump a while back. it made 210 bar when bold about 170 when warmed up.

9935452

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058234290/ford-4000-tractor-hydraulics

I might be the only one to say it but id be inclined to repair the pump and keep the trailer functional behind a jeep or car.

It will keep the value of the trailer if you ever go to sell it.

If there was ever an accident with tipping or lowering the trailer , the mechanism isnt modified.

The only other thing i might consider is putting an electric pump upgrade on it. Pump out of a scrapped taillift would do