455 Deck drops - leaky hydraulics or something cheaper?

[Thram]

The 60" deck on my 1999 455 will drop a bit from the raised position when it sits for a few minutes - even if the tractor is running. It will drop a bit but will stop and not continue to drop all the way. It is slow - it's not like you can watch it drop.

This is more an annoyance than anything else. I'm sure it will be more of an annoyance when I'm snow blowing, which I will do a lot.

I'm concerned that this is a problem that will get worse. I'm hoping it's something as easy as needing a fluid change. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Thram]

Hmmmm.....maybe I'm not explaining it correctly. I have to believe someone else has this issue.

Here's what happens - I bring the deck all the way up - it slowly drops. This has to be a hydraulics problem. Let me make it more generic:

What would be the main reason for hydraulics bleeding or leaking??? Is there a certain valve or could it be fluid??? I know zippo about hydraulics.

Thanks.

 

[caseyvand]

Hi Thram......I do have a similar situation but it's not bad enough to worry about for me. I'm no hydraulics pro but the first place (other than obvious leaks) that I would look is at the O rings in the selective hydraulic control valve. If it's not in the valve it could possibly be the hydraulic cylinder that raises and lowers the deck. If it is the hydraulic cylinder I don't think it will affect your snowblower because it uses a different hyd cylinder. Hope this helps.
Thanks....Casey

 

[Thram]

Thanks Casey. I agree I have more important things to worry about, but it's one of those things that gets under my skin. Also probably one of those things that I'd spend hours trying to fix only to get nowhere. Well, a change of fluid is easy enough - I'll probably stop there.

 

[XSKIER]

Don't worry you're not alone. When I have hot fluid, my flail mower will drop 12" in 5 minutes!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-lawn-garden/204559-new-me-425-high-hours.html

 

[Thram]

Nice 425.

Seeing that a few people have the same problem, I'm not inclined to do anything about it. Thanks for your help.

 

[caseyvand]

Hi Thram.......One of your concerns was when blowing snow. If the leak is in the selective valve with your mower deck ,you may not have the same problem with your snow blower because you will use the lower valve handle to raise and lower the snowblower. The top valve handle will rotate the chute.
Hope this makes sense.
Casey

 

[caseyvand]

Hi Thram.......One of your concerns was when blowing snow. If the leak is in the selective valve with your mower deck you may not have the same problem with your snow blower because you will use the lower valve handle to raise and lower the snowblower. The top valve handle will rotate the chute.
Hope this makes sense.
Casey

 

[Thram]

Yes, that makes sense. Thanks.