I've discussed this in a few threads ( http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=235430 http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=235505 http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=233894 http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=233540 )

Quick summary, I have a 12 row JD 1770 front fold rigid frame planter on a Case IH 7210.  To unfold you throw the lever on the valve block, raise the planter to extend the wing wheels, unlatch the wings, lower the hitch, and unfold it. The right wing wheel has extended slower in plant mode when folded than the others ever since we bought the planter used 5 years ago. Once unfolded it appeared to work correctly.  It always worked ... until the 11th. The 11th the right wing wheel almost quit extending when folded.

It takes forever to extend.  When you let up on the pressure it retracts, until eventually (after your patience is all but shot) it extends and carries weight.  I also noticed when you raise the planter to transport the right side main frame raises slower than the left.

The planter guy spent 2 days here ... or was it 3?  We diagnosed and researched and pondered.  Rebuilt one main frame lift cylinder.  Didn't fix anything.  He finally decided the big valve body (physically big and big in price - $1500) needed replaced.  They had one shipped in overnight, put it on, didn't fix a thing.  He eventually reinstalled the old one.  After doing more testing the decision was the hydraulic pump in my tractor (red, not green) was failing and didn't have enough pressure or volume. Red service guy came down, put a flowmeter on it and said "Well... it's a little low"  So we replaced the hydraulic pump on the tractor.  Brought it home, hooked it on, same problem.

My dealer's service people are at a loss.

We are at the point of switching / rebuilding cylinders.  However there are 6 cylinders on this planter with a total of 4 part numbers.  In other words there are only certain cylinders that can be switched because the others are different.

Using my basic Sherlock Holmes logic (when you have exhausted all other possibilities what is left, no matter how unlikely, has to be the solution) it has to be either a cylinder or a hose.

Anyone see something I am missing?

Oh, and keep the "trade it for ..." comments to yourself.  I'm not in the mood.

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