Farmtrac 60 Low Pressure Hydro Return Line Leak

[Suburban600]

Running any tractor in the woods is prone to cause problems.

My Farmtrac 60 has developed a pretty good leak of hydraulic oil from the right side of the differential where the low pressure return enters the housing. I've had some tree limbs get stuck or jammed in that area so I suspect that is what has caused the problem.

If I fill the resevoir/axle up to the as required to the level check hole on the right side the drip is pretty good and if my tractor sits for a while I lose about a 2 gallons or so of hydraulic fluid.

I talked about this with a Farmtrac mechanic and he said the O rings probably were pushed out of position and that I needed to pull out the slip fit hydraulic line and check/realign and maybe replace the o-rings.

Has anyone done this job? If so, I'd appreciate some pointers before I start this project.

 

[longtrman]

Running any tractor in the woods is prone to cause problems.

My Farmtrac 60 has developed a pretty good leak of hydraulic oil from the right side of the differential where the low pressure return enters the housing. I've had some tree limbs get stuck or jammed in that area so I suspect that is what has caused the problem.

If I fill the resevoir/axle up to the as required to the level check hole on the right side the drip is pretty good and if my tractor sits for a while I lose about a 2 gallons or so of hydraulic fluid.

I talked about this with a Farmtrac mechanic and he said the O rings probably were pushed out of position and that I needed to pull out the slip fit hydraulic line and check/realign and maybe replace the o-rings.

Has anyone done this job? If so, I'd appreciate some pointers before I start this project.

Farmtrac doesn't use the slip fitting that Ford used. If your tractor doesn't have a loader it may have a metal line. If it has a loader it may be a hose. Drain the hydraulic oil into clean containers. Unscrew the fitting on the line or hose from the fitting going into the bottom of the tractor. Back off the nut on the elbow fitting in the bottom of the tractor slightly. Unscrew the elbow fitting from the bottom of the tractor. Inspect the elbow fitting and oring for damage. If the oring is the only damage replace the oring and replace the oring into the tractor being careful to adjust the nut so that the threads on the fitting do not damage the new oring. Tighten the nut on the elbow and reattach the line. If the elbow is damaged it can be obtained from most anyone selling hydraulic fittings. (3/4 16 thread oring boss to 3/4 16 thread 37degree JIC 90 degree elbow fitting) If the line is steel and is what is damaged you may have a hose made with 37degree 3/4 JIC swivel female ends to length. Most any tractor dealer or hydraulics supplier can make the hose. It's best to take the fitting with you in case the supplier uses different terminology.

 

[Jerseyguy]

My Farmtrac 555 was delivered with a significant hydraulic oil leak (not as bad as yours) and it was fixed under warranty by replacing the lower "O" rings. I observed the repair in the field and it was completed within an hour with very little problem by a skilled and quite young mechanic. I recall he loosened the metal line (no FEL) at both ends to maneuver the line to get at the lower fitting. No leaks since. The tractor just came out of warranty. The only other warranty issue was a leaking water pump that was replaced at the dealer. I am still very happy with the tractor in spite of the current Farmtrac troubles. It sees only light duty service with a sickle bar and bush hog mowers.

 

[Suburban600]

Thanks for the tips. Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing I took a picture (T1) of the elbow for the lowpressure line to the hydraulic pump.

Additionally I added a picture from my parts manual (T2) which seems to indicate the threading that was mentioned in one of the replies. The elbow is depicted in the lower right hand side of the page from the parts manual.

 

[longtrman]

Thanks for the tips. Just to make sure we are talking about the same thing I took a picture (T1) of the elbow for the lowpressure line to the hydraulic pump.

Additionally I added a picture from my parts manual (T2) which seems to indicate the threading that was mentioned in one of the replies. The elbow is depicted in the lower right hand side of the page from the parts manual.

We all thought you were talking about the line up from the bottom. It gives more trouble. I believe you would have to drain the hydraulic reservoir, remove the hydraulic pump and clamps that hold the line. Then you should be able to pull the line forward out of the fitting. replace the oring. Elbow 47 appears to thread into the rear center housing and also has an oring. You will probably be able to get the oring from an auto parts house or Farm and fleet type store. Just take the orings with you to get the correct size.

 

[Suburban600]

A few days ago I completed my repair on the leak. As you can see in the earlier post the low pressure line leaves the axle housing in a 90 degree elbow.

I removed the fender, brake pedals, foot throttle, and foot rest. I also removed the hydraulic pump to allow removal of the metal pipe which connects the elbow to the pump.

I declined to remove the clutch and brake mechanisms from the left side of the tractor. Doing so, I believe, would have allowed the pedal shaft to be moved out of the way to allow full rotation of the hydraulic line elbow.

Instead I decided to use RTV sealant. I was able to back the elbow out about a quarter turn. I liberally coated the gap with RTV, rotated the elbow to the appropriate position and allowed it to cure for 24 hours. This "fix" transformed a constant drip into a very minor drip.

We'll see how it hold up over time...I put a couple hours on the tractor bushogging...no problems.