2018 Toolcat 5600, 2100hours, barely moving forward or backup after a hose break repair

Interceptor · Monday at 8:07 AM

The gearbox is vented to relieve any pressure caused by temperature changes. Any significant pressure in the gearbox would indicate a blocked vent. That could be the cause of the oil leak at the axle, but wouldn't cause the drive issue. High oil level in the gearbox would indicate either a brake piston leak, or a motor shaft seal leak. Either one of these would also put some pressure into the gearbox, but it should immediately be released out the vent. There is a breather at the top of the gearbox, make sure it's not blocked.

If one or both brake pistons are leaking, the oil level in the gearbox will gradually increase whenever the brake is released (when driving). I can't say for sure how fast it would rise, it would depend on the severity of the leak.

I think a charge pressure test is a good next step. If that checks out I'd test drive loop pressure. Have you tried to run it with all four wheels off the ground?

RichardV-Quebec · Tuesday at 6:37 PM

Interceptor, thanks for sticking with me on this problem. No, I have not jacked up the TC yet but I just realized that if I do, this would possibly tell me if the brakes are the problem. I saw the vent on the front transxale, was not blocked (eyesight) but I ordered a new one last week and will put it on when I receive it. I don't think there was more 100-200 ml of oil that dripped off the check plug but it did spit oil 8 feet away (lucky I was not facing front of it)(I have had an oil shower before on a CASE 580 wheel check plug). Transaxle oil looks pretty nasty. Tomorrow should reveal more info. Thks again.

RichardV-Quebec · Wednesday at 9:13 AM

Up off the ground, only the rear wheels are turning in both forward/reverse direction. I tried moving the front wheels by hand and seemed locked. I did this when the machine was warm. I had no problem backing it outside the garage. Now I am going to change that hose and let you know.

RichardV-Quebec · Thursday at 5:37 AM

I unplugged the front top motor hose from the drive motor to see if there was flow restriction with the repair and there is plenty of oil coming out the hose. The TC was in neutral, I did not expect that much oil pressure. Still working on the hose change. The other end of the hose is in a really tough spot to get to.

RichardV-Quebec · 2025-06-13T17:56:04-0400

We dropped the front transaxle on the floor with the drive motor. Is there a way to just test the drive motor (to see if it turns when going forward/reverse with the hoses) ? The new hoses are in place on the pump side.