For the Ku problem, it might be that you just don't have the accuracy to get to the birds.
Linuxman did some tests in this forum recently, and re-discovered some facts that the old timers apparently already knew:
* put a longer motor on and attach it further out on the dish to get more accuracy
* rebuild the motor with more magnets (where possible) to get more counts and therefore more accuracy
* using a Gbox 3000, in some cases the controller seemed to count on both the reed-switch close and open, doubling the number of counts.
- this gave more accurate positioning, but wouldn't be applicable to your 4DTV
The longer motor and more leverage moves the big dish more easily.
For a heavy fiberglass dish, I assume the suggestions above are well in order: recirculating ball, and long.