I had to put a large o-ring around the bottom of my shifter boot. That was just after I purchased it. Worked great and still is for that matter. Besides that I'm good............
Here is a picture of one of my current ones. I looked back and I did order these from Hoye as well. I ordered them in September 2017. You can see the crack along the top starting to form. These with protectant on them have lasted much longer than the first ones.
I purchased this in 08 and just sits under a carport. You can see the O-Ring around the bottom of it. This pic. isn't that old There's a dead giveaway. It could be worse like a bad power shift seal etc.. You had to go in it everytime to replace it. Then after the 2nd.or 3rd. time finding out the hard way why. Just sayin......
I have had my tractor 10 years. On the one that it came with. When it gets hot it weeps oil. BUT water is not leaking in, I think. I never see any water or milky oil in the trans. But it does sit it a carport and rarely in the rain. And if it is I tip the seat tO hopefully keep rain off it. And also if it sits out I try to top the controls and trans.
Carey, I think mine has an O ring on the bottom, was there not one there originally?
I had to put a large o-ring around the bottom of my shifter boot. That was just after I purchased it. Worked great and still is for that matter. Besides that I'm good............
I an using some different information that I cobbled together from the internet to make silicone molds for a cover for the boots. It started from making a silicone boot for my hot end for my 3D printer. Instructions for making the mold was on thingiverse. I also learned more about intristing uses for silicone here:
I used this information to make 3D printed molds for different items at work and now a few for my tractor. On the first item that I made (hot end boot), I did not use the cornstarch and it took quite a while to set up and required mold release (Vaseline). With the cornstarch the silicone does not stick to much anymore and does not require mold release. It also sets up firm enough to remove from the mold in 30 minutes or so.
The silicone that I use is claimed to be weatherproof so it should last a long time.
I have also made a similar boot to put on the steering shaft to try to keep moisture from entering the steering box.