Hydraulic Fluid Mystery???

[jostev]

I topped off the Cub's hydro unit a couple of days ago, when I started it up today, the blade went up/down fine, after about 10 mins of plowing, the plow would not move, it was up and "leaked" down a bit, but it would not move, so I put it in our garage, 55-65 degrees and tried it, still nothing, then I decided to try to top it off, well it was COMPLETELY empty?????? I haven't been losing any fluid on the ground,(besides a few drops) none in the crankcase, so where did the fluid go?

Johnny

[johnbron]

Well if it aint in the oil pan then you lost it little by little on the ground while plowing. Look for a wet spot leak on all hydraulic areas and fittings.

[jostev]

there is a little wet spot on the manifold near the pump, will repair sometime, but expecting more snow, so can't do it for a while.

Thanks Johnny

[jostev]

I rebuilt the pump about a month ago, and the crankcase level says that it's "FULL" so, it's not going into that, I'm betting that it is coming from the manifold.

Johnny

[Steve Butram]

John it may be possible that you worked an air bubble through it but the first thing to check is the engine oil level .
Steve

[jostev]

The engine oil says that it's full, not overfuoll like it was before the rebuild. (i did change the engine oil)

If/when I fix the manifold tube, I read that most of you said to silver solder it, why that instead of brazing? just wondering if there was a difference.

Thanks Johnny

[Bigdog]

It is a stronger repair Johnny.

[Russell F]

If you lost the fluid after 10 minutes, it's possible you have a large leak or didn't top off the resivoir after purging the air.

Sometimes the manifold will leak at the O-Rings on the pump manifold. Also check for leaks at the front of the TC unit where the boots are, and the manifold conection at the TC.

If it is a external leak it should be easy to find, refill the system and clean off the toruqe tube around the TC and the manifold pipes and pump. Check the oil level and make note. Set the brake and choke the tires. Start the tractor and let it warm up. Raise and lower the implement while watching the TC unit and lines while standing beside the tractor. Do this for a little bit, looking for drips and puddles. After about 5-10 minutes stop the tractor and let it rest about 15-20 minutes, then recheck the oil level. I say to let the tractor rest because the initial oil check was done with the tractor cold and all oil in the pan, if you check the oil level right after running the tractor oil will be up in the engine and give you a false reading. Waiting 15-20 minutes should do it.

3-4 quarts of oil leaking out in 10-15 minuites is alot of oil to go missing. I'm kinda leaning toward the crankcase also.

Let us know what you find.

Russell

[jostev]

Thanks BD, I thought that brzing with oxy-actelyne torches would be stronger. Thanks

Russell, it is not going inot the crankcase, so it is an external leak. will look more tomorrow, kinda busy "helping around the house" LOL

Thanks Johnny