125 hydrostat suction tube leaking

[RanchsA]

Hi all. Hopefully not a dumb question here. I have a pretty steady leak on the suction tube (coming out between the nut and tube itself) of my 125 where it attaches to the differential case at the bottom. I'm wondering if there is a gasket in there that needs replacing (didn't see one on parts diagram) or can I just crank the nut down some more. Wasn't sure how delicate these were and I've been known to break a bolt or two cranking down on them. Or if these start leaking does that typically mean they are shot and the tube needs to be replaced?
I changed the fluid/filter in the rear end but the leak didn't start till I gave it a workout tilling. I'm guessing it had sat for sometime prior to me picking it up last fall based on its shape.

[Eugene]

Give the oil filer another 1/4 turn tight.

[BigBill]

Use the filter wrench lightly. Ditto what he said^^^^^^^^^^^^

I was tightening filters with a filter wrench on my cars and trucks too just a whisker beyond hand tight. I noticed my truck one day the filter was leaking. The new engine I built had 90 psi oil pressure. Hand tighten the oil filter wasn't good enough.

[RanchsA]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll give the filter another twist this weekend. I had the nut where the suction tube connects to the differential cleaned right up and it really looked like it was coming from there. I haven't been able to find much on leaks there though so I'm guessing that is fairly uncommon?

[Eugene]

I did major repairs on my 105 (now 125) this past winter, replaced the filter. Had a leak. Tightened the filter, solved the leak.

[BigBill]

I put newspaper on the floor under it just to see where the leak is from if I can't find it.

Funny, my sons dirtbike was leaking. I located the shifter shaft was weeping tranny oil. The shaft had a score mark from vise grips. I smoothed it out, put in a new seal problem solved. Did the news paper trick to make sure it's not leaking. I waited one day to make sure then I poured some oil on the paper. I laughed, the kid was in tears. We still laugh 25 years later.

[RanchsA]

Well I gave the filter another slight twist. And ran the tractor for a bit again. Leak was getting worse so left it running and peaked underneath. Drip was almost a steady run from the base of suction tube now. I loosened bolt and the tube was cracked half way around right between the nut and ring of the compression joint. Not sure what would cause that? Tractor had the skid plate on it for protection. New parts are on order. Hopefully have her back up and running before next weekend. Thanks again guys.

[RanchsA]

Had some time to put the new line Friday and tilled down the weeds in the garden. New line is a two piece and has a large elbow for the two lengths of pipe. The skid plate didn't have quite enough room for it so I had to bend the front portion of skid plate down to a lesser angle and then added a few washers as spacers up at the frame where it bolts on. We hit the garden a few times and no leaks and I didn't notice any wear on the new line from the skid plate so we are back in business. I did find I need to plant my rows a touch wider next year to get the 125 down for easy weeding.
Thanks again for the help guys.
randy