Cub Lift Going Bad?

[jpate831]

My 1947 Cub has the standard touch control hydraulic lift. It has always worked pretty well. Recently, however, it has started to become a bit whiny and sluggish. It got progressively worse in a short period of time, until the other day it would not lift or lower at all. Now when I move the touch control lever the full range (with the engine running) I hear nothing, and it does nothing. Luckily it stopped working with the mower deck about 3 inches off the ground, so at least it isn't dragging.

Any ideas, before I tear into it?

Thanks.

[Steve Butram]

check the oil level. It is possible the seal in the hydro pump has failed and is pumping hydro oil into the crank case.

[Scrivet]

While you're checking oil I would check the engine oil level as Steve has said and also the level of hydraulic oil in the Touch Control. If the engine is NOT overfull or the Touch Control is NOT underfull then there are other possibilities. Most likely thing is the oil levels so start there.

[jpate831]

Well, the oil level in the touch control was low. I added close to a pint before it started coming out the fill plug. Once I did, the lift started working normally again. I checked the engine oil, and it's sitting at about the middle of the operating range.

I originally filled the touch control unit when I restored the tractor. I didn't use the lift for anything until I put the mower deck back on it, and I haven't used that much either. I never checked the touch control level after I filled it the first time. Is it possible it was just that low, or do you think I'm losing hydro oil somewhere?

[Bob McCarty]

If the block was leaking from a gasket, you would see drips on the outside of the block. If the pump shaft seal is leaking, the hydraulic fluid would be leaking into the crankcase and raise the level on the dipstick. If you didn't "burp" the TC to remove air, you may not have had the block full. If the oil needs changed, I'd suggest doing that and watching the level on the dipstick as you use the TC.

Bob