Gleaner K Hydraulic Problem

Hello All,

The grain header is on it currently, he's wanting to cut oats with it soon. It does not have auto header height. I think it does have hydraulic reel speed and height control. I'll tell him to check his linkages and make sure they aren't out of whack. Thank you for your help

Thank you, Mike! It's good to be seen! 

I'm sure he checked the fluid level, I'll suggest a filter if he hasn't done it already. Thanks!

Well, sort of an update on this project. My friend took the valve stack off and had a local hydraulic shop check it out. Aside from some questionable o-rings, they didn't find anything wrong with it. But, they did have a question about the pressure relief, because they didn't have a schematic of it, so he took the one off of his A2 to them so they could compare them. When he did that, he noticed that the A2 has 2 return hoses going from the valve stack to the reservoir, the K only had one. And the corresponding hole in the K reservoir had a very conspicuous looking plug in it. We've been studying the diagrams on Agco parts book, and I also think that somebody has been in that valve stack before and possibly put the valves back in the wrong order, if that's possible. The valve that is feeding the header lift I think is actually supposed to be for the reel speed, just in the wrong place in the stack, the hose going to the lift cylinders was in the port with the restrictor orifice in it, and the other port had a pipe plug in it. So that could explain the head moving up and down so slowly. He also said that the engine would bog down when you tried to lower the head, and the plugged port on the other side of the valve would explain that. The hose for the variable reel speed on the combine is gone, and the handle has been blocked from moving in the cab, and the linkage to the valve was removed. I didn't realize all that at first. It's fun trying to figure out what other people have messed with in the past! I think he's going to try to get it back together this weekend, so I'll keep you posted if I hear anything from him. Thanks again for the help

Evan Austin, Here’s a link from a past AC forum post that may help you determine how all hydraulic lines were initially (factory) routed? In this previous post, you’ll find a color photo of gleaner hydraulic schematic from F/K combine service book that I posted back then in Jan 2024.
This old post’s topic says Gleaner A II variable speed, but it’s hydraulic content in general, applies to most older (1960s, 70s, 80s?) gleaner combine’s hydraulic valve stacks, pump, reservoir, etc.
if the valve stack is/or has been disassembled for resealing(new o-rings), individual valves could be eliminated, added, &/or rearranged in whatever order desired, with exception to the inner flow control valve & outer cap plate which are ALWAYS positioned at the ends so inside valves can be sandwiched together by mounting bolts. And obviously any new configured width of valve stack requires corresponding mounting bolts (3 - 1/4” diameter x correct lengths) to sandwich entire valve stack together & mount it to the pump/reservoir metal plate housing. The cab’s Hydraulic levers(linkages) to valves can easily be switched between valves too, if so desired?
And yes, each valve’s corresponding hydraulic hose(s) MUST BE correctly assembled/matched to that valve’s function(cylinder, VS), INCLUDING All return hoses to reservoir and hydraulic oil cooler positioned next to engine’s radiator, if equipped…..

https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/gleaner-a-ii-variable-speed-drive_topic199114_page1.html

Edited by AC7060IL - 10 hours 33 minutes ago at 3:30am