I picked up a 1980 Case 580C. It looked like a tight machine and strong. Started real fast, would lift both ends at idle no problem and fast. Price seemed fair. Pins were tight, bushings in great shape, no welds on anything, no real bad leaks, basic stuff worked (minus tach, gauges, brakes, and starter push button). I topped off fluids and planned on changing fluids and filters after a day or two of use. I greased up all the pins with 3% moly grease. Anything with needle bearings or higher speed got Mystic grease. Everything took grease ok. I got the instrument cluster going (12v supply issue) and buffed it out so you can see through it. I also added a ford starter relay to the case starter relay (previous owner had been using a screwdriver). I also took apart the mechanical part of the starter relay and sanded/shined and cleaned it up for good contact. It starts fast, strong, and easy. I wanted to use the tractor for a few days to see what all I needed to buy for it, so here is where the story starts.
I'm operating in sandy soil about 1/3 to maaaybe 1/2 throttle, digging out a small pond (think size of a car). I wanted to practice on level land and in soft soil taking thin passes. I was taking it easy learning the machine. No bucking or anything. Everything is going well for almost an hour and while I was swinging a backhoe bucket of dirt the engine died. It didnt sputter, make noise, screech, knock, rattle or anything. The best way I can describe it was like someone just pinched the tailpipe shut or pinched hydraulics to kill it. It died fast, but no thunk or thud was heard. I tried to start it back up and the starter would turn the engine maybe 5-10 degrees then "bounce" back. You could watch the engine fan blades. Its like something mechanical is keeping the engine from turning, almost like it being hydro-locked.
Here is what I did:
-checked oil, didnt have water in it or smell like diesel at all. Level was right at full line
-checked radiator fluid, no oil in it. level was fine. Was able to pop cap off in 5 minutes and it didnt spew. I could touch the engine by hand. It did not overheat at all.
Next day:
-checked battery voltage (12.4) Jumped it at 13v still did the same thing. Voltage dropped some but not enough to be a concern.
-tried starting with front bucket and a backhoe lever engaged just in case the hyd pump was hyd locked up, no go.
-took a screwdriver to the flywheel inspection port and could turn the engine about 8 teeth (could go 4 teeth each direction) and then it would get hard and didnt feel comfortable prying any harder
Next thoughts:
-Starter seems 100% working and fine, but pull it and make sure nothing is locked up. Really dont think thats it, but its an easy thing to do.
-Remove injectors to make sure I am not hydrolocked. Doubt that would be the case, or the engine oil would have indicated a problem.
-Doubt flywheel bolt backed out into the housing, would think that would have made noise.
-Pull hydraulic pump and try to spin over engine. Wondering if the pump didnt break a tooth and then lock up? I assume that could stop an engine like that. Thinking this is the most likely candidate.
-Read somewhere someone had an injector pump fail and it locked up an engine. I would think the engine would overcome and break it, but its a thought.
I'm really leaning towards the hyd pump breaking a tooth and locking up or something of that nature. Hate to have to drain the hyd fluid to pull the pump though to see if the engine and the pump both turn separately.
Based off what I describe, what would be yall's next move to troubleshoot it? Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and respond. I greatly appreciate it.
-Jeremy
I'm operating in sandy soil about 1/3 to maaaybe 1/2 throttle, digging out a small pond (think size of a car). I wanted to practice on level land and in soft soil taking thin passes. I was taking it easy learning the machine. No bucking or anything. Everything is going well for almost an hour and while I was swinging a backhoe bucket of dirt the engine died. It didnt sputter, make noise, screech, knock, rattle or anything. The best way I can describe it was like someone just pinched the tailpipe shut or pinched hydraulics to kill it. It died fast, but no thunk or thud was heard. I tried to start it back up and the starter would turn the engine maybe 5-10 degrees then "bounce" back. You could watch the engine fan blades. Its like something mechanical is keeping the engine from turning, almost like it being hydro-locked.
Here is what I did:
-checked oil, didnt have water in it or smell like diesel at all. Level was right at full line
-checked radiator fluid, no oil in it. level was fine. Was able to pop cap off in 5 minutes and it didnt spew. I could touch the engine by hand. It did not overheat at all.
Next day:
-checked battery voltage (12.4) Jumped it at 13v still did the same thing. Voltage dropped some but not enough to be a concern.
-tried starting with front bucket and a backhoe lever engaged just in case the hyd pump was hyd locked up, no go.
-took a screwdriver to the flywheel inspection port and could turn the engine about 8 teeth (could go 4 teeth each direction) and then it would get hard and didnt feel comfortable prying any harder
Next thoughts:
-Starter seems 100% working and fine, but pull it and make sure nothing is locked up. Really dont think thats it, but its an easy thing to do.
-Remove injectors to make sure I am not hydrolocked. Doubt that would be the case, or the engine oil would have indicated a problem.
-Doubt flywheel bolt backed out into the housing, would think that would have made noise.
-Pull hydraulic pump and try to spin over engine. Wondering if the pump didnt break a tooth and then lock up? I assume that could stop an engine like that. Thinking this is the most likely candidate.
-Read somewhere someone had an injector pump fail and it locked up an engine. I would think the engine would overcome and break it, but its a thought.
I'm really leaning towards the hyd pump breaking a tooth and locking up or something of that nature. Hate to have to drain the hyd fluid to pull the pump though to see if the engine and the pump both turn separately.
Based off what I describe, what would be yall's next move to troubleshoot it? Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and respond. I greatly appreciate it.
-Jeremy
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