L2500DT - Hydraulic issues

[fonzie723]

Hello,

I recently changed out the hydraulic oil on my L2500DT tractor. The brush hog and front end loader was working at first but then stopped working after several minutes of usage. My friend suspects I may have put in too much oil since I can't see the level on the side bubble. Assuming he is right, is there an easy way to drain out some of the oil?

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Hello,

I recently changed out the hydraulic oil on my L2500DT tractor. The brush hog and front end loader was working at first but then stopped working after several minutes of usage. My friend suspects I may have put in too much oil since I can't see the level on the side bubble. Assuming he is right, is there an easy way to drain out some of the oil?

How much did you put in? It should hold around 10 gallons, I think. Check your Op Manual.
edit: maybe 7 gallons

 

[fonzie723]

How much did you put in? It should hold around 10 gallons, I think. Check your Op Manual.
edit: maybe 7 gallons

According to the manual it holds around 7.4 gallons (28 Liters), the tractor use to be my dad's before he passed away so I am not sure what service has been done. When I emptied the hydraulic fluid, it was close to 3 gallons. I must admit that I just drained the oil from where the transmission strainer location and did not drain from the other drain plugs. I just assumed it was low and put in close to 7 gallons.

Thanks for your response!!

 

[Dieseldonato]

There are separate drains for each of the alxle drop boxes. There is also a level plug on the side of the transmission.

 

[Russell King]

What fluid did you use? Is the tractor hydrostatic drive?

 

[fonzie723]

There are separate drains for each of the alxle drop boxes. There is also a level plug on the side of the transmission.

When I open the level plug, do I just allow to drain until the level plug drips?

 

[fonzie723]

What fluid did you use? Is the tractor hydrostatic drive?

I used Traveller - Premium Hydraulic Fluid, 5 gal., T806391 from Tractor Supply Company. It showed to be equivalent to Kubota UTD. It is not a hydrostatic drive.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

When you say the bush hog quit working, I assume you mean the 3 point lift and not the PTO. The PTO has nothing hydraulic.

Your hydraulic pump is not pumping. These pumps are supposed to be self-priming. Someone else had this problem recently. His issue turned out to be a leak on a suction line fitting. Check everything (o-rings, hoses, clamps, fittings) between the transmission and the pump for the slightest leak.
Edit: a leak may not show up as a drip, since some parts are above the oil level in the transmission case.

 

[fonzie723]

When you say the bush hog quit working, I assume you mean the 3 point lift and not the PTO. The PTO has nothing hydraulic.

Your hydraulic pump is not pumping. These pumps are supposed to be self-priming. Someone else had this problem recently. His issue turned out to be a leak on a suction line fitting. Check everything (o-rings, hoses, clamps, fittings) between the transmission and the pump for the slightest leak.
Edit: a leak may not show up as a drip, since some parts are above the oil level in the transmission case.

You are correct the 3 point point lift isn't working nor the front end loader functioning. I will give it a look. Thank you!!

 

[TheOldHokie]

You are correct the 3 point point lift isn't working nor the front end loader functioning. I will give it a look. Thank you!!

It sounds like the pump is not pumping but that it is not because you overfilled the tractor. You drained the system so you may have an issue with the pump picking up prime. I dont know the specifics of that system but a dirty suction side screen (aka filter) is one possibility. If its clogged it will make it difficult for the pump to pick up prime.

Dan

 

[Russell King]

The Traveler brand is fine for a gear drive tractor. I use their universal transmission and hydraulic fluid. Is that what you mean? I would Not use just hydraulic fluid myself.

If you did not clean or replace the filter then that is probably the problem.as previously mentioned.

You will have to drain the fluid if you have a screen but you can reuse it if you take care to use clean buckets

 

[fonzie723]

It sounds like the pump is not pumping but that it is not because you overfilled the tractor. You drained the system so you may have an issue with the pump picking up prime. I dont know the specifics of that system but a dirty suction side screen (aka filter) is one possibility. If its clogged it will make it difficult for the pump to pick up prime.

Dan

I cleaned the Transmission Strainer which I assume is the filter you are talking about. It did have some elements on it. Wonder if it may have gotten clogged again. It's weird that it just stopped working after using it for several minutes. Thanks for the response!

 

[TheOldHokie]

I cleaned the Transmission Strainer which I assume is the filter you are talking about. It did have some elements on it. Wonder if it may have gotten clogged again. It's weird that it just stopped working after using it for several minutes. Thanks for the response!

Pretty easy to check for pump flow. Disconnect the supply (IN) hose from the loader valve and stick it in a clean 5 gallon bucket. Start the engine and you will know instantly. Dont run it more than a few seconds!!

Dan

 

[fonzie723]

The Traveler brand is fine for a gear drive tractor. I use their universal transmission and hydraulic fluid. Is that what you mean? I would Not use just hydraulic fluid myself.

If you did not clean or replace the filter then that is probably the problem.as previously mentioned.

You will have to drain the fluid if you have a screen but you can reuse it if you take care to use clean buckets

I only used this:

for the hydraulic fluid and cleaned the transmission strainer. It was working at first and then just stopped...Thanks for you response!

 

[Russell King]

Then everything you did is correct (fluid is fine and screen is clean) and should not have caused any problems.

Do you have any pictures of the screen filter after you cleaned it? What state was it in? Only thing I can think of is that it could have collapsed if it was somehow weak or screen was unsupported or still clogged with something.

I have never looked at how they fit into the inlet pipe but assume you installed it correctly and completely. I do recall that mine had to be manipulated a little bit to get the outer end to fit into the tractor case before adding the spring onto it and installing the cap.

I had to replace the seal on my hydraulic pump one time and was able to prime it after installation on the tractor before installing the top (outlet?) pipe and it works fine. I don’t know if it mattered or not to prime it though. I just used a bottle with a nozzle like a mustard bottle (older style) to fill it as much as it would hold which was not very much.

I would see if it is pumping using the method above with the outlet pipe into a bucket. Heck if you have any leftover clean fluid you can even rig a pvc pipe to the bottom of the bucket from the bottom of the pump inlet hose and then circulate that oil through the pump and back to the bucket to bypass anything in the tractor that may not be letting the pump work.

I’ll try to post a link of what I mean if I can locate it

Here is the link

Fast transmission Flushing

I have an B8200 with a standard, somehow water got in, I think through the gear lever boot. After going through two drums of oil and two drain and refills with no noticeable difference I realized that the hydraulic pump and hydraulics were obviously still contaminated. Even buying cheapo...

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[fonzie723]

Then everything you did is correct (fluid is fine and screen is clean) and should not have caused any problems.

Do you have any pictures of the screen filter after you cleaned it? What state was it in? Only thing I can think of is that it could have collapsed if it was somehow weak or screen was unsupported or still clogged with something.

I have never looked at how they fit into the inlet pipe but assume you installed it correctly and completely. I do recall that mine had to be manipulated a little bit to get the outer end to fit into the tractor case before adding the spring onto it and installing the cap.

I had to replace the seal on my hydraulic pump one time and was able to prime it after installation on the tractor before installing the top (outlet?) pipe and it works fine. I don’t know if it mattered or not to prime it though. I just used a bottle with a nozzle like a mustard bottle (older style) to fill it as much as it would hold which was not very much.

I would see if it is pumping using the method above with the outlet pipe into a bucket. Heck if you have any leftover clean fluid you can even rig a pvc pipe to the bottom of the bucket from the bottom of the pump inlet hose and then circulate that oil through the pump and back to the bucket to bypass anything in the tractor that may not be letting the pump work.

I’ll try to post a link of what I mean if I can locate it

Here is the link

Fast transmission Flushing

I have an B8200 with a standard, somehow water got in, I think through the gear lever boot. After going through two drums of oil and two drain and refills with no noticeable difference I realized that the hydraulic pump and hydraulics were obviously still contaminated. Even buying cheapo...

www.orangetractortalks.com

I don't have pictures of the screen filter. I did clean it using brake cleaner. It looked to be in pretty good shape.

Thanks for the info. I will give that a try!