Hydro Drive Maintenance
- Thread starter unclehan
- Start date
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 60,184
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Hello! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Regular maintance usually consists of changing a hydraulic filter, topping off the hydraulic fluid level, and that's about it for the hydrostatic equipment that I own. It shouldn't leak. If it does, there is a problem.
As for how many hours before seals start to go, there are probably too many variables to figure that out. For instance, if you run in dirty conditions all the time, check the fluid levels without cleaning the cap first, never change the filters, let it over heat often and get dirt in your hydraulic quick connectors all the time, it probably won't last as long as somone that maintains their equipment as suggested by the manufacturer. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I'd check with some high hour owners of the units that you are considering and see what they have to say.
Regular maintance usually consists of changing a hydraulic filter, topping off the hydraulic fluid level, and that's about it for the hydrostatic equipment that I own. It shouldn't leak. If it does, there is a problem.
As for how many hours before seals start to go, there are probably too many variables to figure that out. For instance, if you run in dirty conditions all the time, check the fluid levels without cleaning the cap first, never change the filters, let it over heat often and get dirt in your hydraulic quick connectors all the time, it probably won't last as long as somone that maintains their equipment as suggested by the manufacturer. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I'd check with some high hour owners of the units that you are considering and see what they have to say.
MadReferee
Elite Member, Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2003
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- 3,741
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- New Hampshire
- Tractor
- Kubota B2710, IH TD6-62 dozer with Drott 4n1 bucket loader
I have over 900 hours on my Kubota B2710 HST with no problems. Regular maintenance must be performed according to the manufacturers schedule. If you do this yours will last a lifetime.
jinman
Rest in Peace
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
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- 21,008
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- Texas - Wise County - Sunset
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- NHTC45D, NH LB75B, Ford Jubilee
Hydrostatic pumps and motors are no more prone to leaks and seal wear than engine mounted hydraulic pumps used for the 3PH or FEL. I'd say they should last the life of the tractor with no problems.
Change your fluid and filters and you'll be fine. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Change your fluid and filters and you'll be fine. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
OrangeGuy
Gold Member
I have three tractors with hydrostatic transmissions. The oldest is a 1974 Allis Chalmers 620 with 1200 hours. I change the hydrostatic filter every 100hrs (use an aftermarket Fram) and changed the fluid once. The hydro has no leaks and works like it did when new. Hydrostatic transmissions are extremely reliable and easy to maintain.
OrangeGuy
OrangeGuy
oldforestor
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2004
- Messages
- 73
- Location
- Golden Triangle KY
- Tractor
- Kub M8560 Orange Millenium Falcon, Kub M4050 wonderful dependable relic
This is somewhat of a stretch when applied to CUTs but my dad bought us Simplicity 20hp hydro in 1980. It lived a long a brutal life- I cut alot of neighbors yards, plus our 3 acres. It finally died in 2001.
upgw
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2001
- Messages
- 336
- Location
- SE PA
- Tractor
- 2001 Kubota BX2200, 2011 Hustler Super Z 31 Kawi
They like a lot of fresh oil! I've seen a cub cadet with 1000 hours on it with a shot transmission, but the more commercial grade stuff like you'd find is a typical CUT or SCUT is probably a lot more durable, but I've yet to hear of anybody with 5000+ hours on one, so it's hard to say what happens in the long term. Except for the oil and filter changes, they are pretty maintenance free.
- Patrick
- Patrick