Loader Hydraulic leak...and questions.

[L225Chris]

I had bought this tractor recently and it is my first. I have a couple questions that my manuals do not cover. If anyone has any input please advise. This sounds like a stupid question but i guess if you are checking your hydraulic fluid you would want to check it warm? When checking mine cold as soon as i almost get the plug out it starts coming out the fluid check hole. I never think to check it after i have been running it. Probably because i was having too much fun.
Also after putting 10-15 hours on this tractor i noticed my one of my loader arms is now leaking fluid on the ground. Not a lot of fluid but enough to leave a good 8 inch puddle after a couple weeks of sitting. The seal is leaking at the tube and has been damaged by rust pits at the very end of the shaft. How bad is it to install a new seal? I am thinking the shaft needs pulled completely out to get the new one on. Is that right? I may try to remove the pitting with some fine sandpaper to insure it won't happen again. Also my loader is Kubota and model # 1200
Thanks,L225Chris

[Service Dept Vic]

Chris, you're too full if you have fluid comming out of the "check level" hole.

If you haven't dropped that oil, now is the time. Clean the hydraulic screen, and re-fill with fresh oil. Here's a tip-leave the "check level" plug out when filling, and when it just starts to "crest" the hole, it's full.

Changing the seal on the cylinder is real straight forward, clean up the cylinder tube with real fine 1000-1200 sand paper. Grease all the seals when you reassemble.

If you can change oil on Kubota, you can change that seal!

[lens]

You will have to pull the cylinder shaft out & remove the piston to change the shaft seal.

[L225Chris]

Thanks Vic and Lens for your replies. Draining the fluid from the tractor seems easy enough. But since i need to take the arm off to replace the seal and i don't know when the hydraulic fluid was last changed how would i get all the fluid out of the lines to do a complete hydraulic fluid change on the loader and tractor? Open up all the lines and let them drain or does the loader need to be in a certain postion? When filling i would think i need to cycle the loader a few times to check fluid level. Sound right to anyone? Is there a better type fluid to use than what was put in them? Sorry for all the questions...i rather do it right the first time and not ruin the pump or anything else.
Thanks, Chris

[Service Dept Vic]

Chris, you can remove the lines off the loader cylinders, put the ends in a bucket and use an air blow attachment to move the oil fron the hoses and cylinders.

I really don't worry about residual oil left in the cylinders and lines when servicing them as the volume of oil isn't worth the extra time charge. With the cylinders retracted the only residual oil is in the lines, not much to worry about.

You'll want to use a Universal Tractor Hydraulic oil. I used to buy all my lubricants from a Bulk Agent, but have been buying diesel oil, hyd oil, grease tubes etc, latley from Wal-mart. They have the best price on 5 gallon pails of 15W40, Universal Tractor Hydraulic oil, I just can't pass it up, plus it's a name brand refiner, works for me.

Fill the tractors resivoir, start tractor, bring to high idle for several min, then start working the loader up-down. After running tractor and cycling loader for several times, re-check level, top up as needed.