L3830 intermittent transmission problems

JK Farmjn

New member

Equipment
L3830
Jul 3, 2020
2
0
1
Lyles, TN
We have an L3830 GST with intermittent hydraulic issues. We have had this problem for a few years, but it seems to be worse lately. When the tractor first starts, all of the gears work. After running the tractor for a while, high gear stops working. For example, if the tractor is running in 8 when this happens, it pauses for a few seconds then starts going again. Even though the lever is at 8, when it starts moving again, it is like it is running in 2. We use this for bush hogging, so at this point we just back it down to 6 and keep going. After a while, high gear starts working again.

At first it was only the issue with losing high gear. Now we are also having problems with the power steering coming and going. There is also sometimes a pause after engaging the PTO before it starts running.

Last summer we had the local dealer replace the front transmission seal and main clutch due to a leak in the seal. We mentioned the the issue with high gear, but when we picked up the tractor, the service guy said he did nothing about that since high gear worked. Since we had to leave the tractor there for several weeks, we just took it home at that point to get back to work.

This spring we replaced the regulator valve. After replacing that, we checked the pressure at the front of the regulator valve and it was ok. We also checked the glide shift pressure and adjusted that within spec. None of this resolved the problem.

Are there other things that we should troubleshoot? Does this sound like the hydraulic pump is going out? Since it is a high dollar part, we want to make sure that is the issue before getting a new one.

Thanks!

JK
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
28,306
4,856
113
Sandpoint, ID
The GST control pressure and the PS share the same Hydraulic pump section and it could be very likely that it's losing pressure and thus dropping out of gear.

I would get a hydraulic pressure gauge on the input to the GST and monitor it.