gear reduction pressure?

jimmysisson · May 29, 2006

I changed out the fluids in front axle and front gear reductions the other day. This 2120 has 1800 hours, good care, stays indoors since new. I had noticed the left reduction housing leaking where the lower part of the spindle housing mates with the gear reduction housing. I figured I was facing a tear-down and new seals or something. When I pulled the filler plug (first, before drain plug) there was a whoosh of pressure out from the reduction housing. Now, several hours later, no sign of the leak! What would make pressure in the reduction housing? Ambient temps were '50s to '60s, no direct sun, and only about an hour's use before draining to warm up the oil. Right side showed no pressure. Any ideas?
Thanks, Jim

jimmysisson · May 29, 2006

I changed out the fluids in front axle and front gear reductions the other day. This 2120 has 1800 hours, good care, stays indoors since new. I had noticed the left reduction housing leaking where the lower part of the spindle housing mates with the gear reduction housing. I figured I was facing a tear-down and new seals or something. When I pulled the filler plug (first, before drain plug) there was a whoosh of pressure out from the reduction housing. Now, several hours later, no sign of the leak! What would make pressure in the reduction housing? Ambient temps were '50s to '60s, no direct sun, and only about an hour's use before draining to warm up the oil. Right side showed no pressure. Any ideas?
Thanks, Jim

Bird · May 29, 2006

I'm not familiar with that tractor, but does it not have a vent of some kind that's stopped up? If it's sealed, with no vent, even temperature changes could build up pressure in it.

Bird · May 29, 2006

I'm not familiar with that tractor, but does it not have a vent of some kind that's stopped up? If it's sealed, with no vent, even temperature changes could build up pressure in it.

SteveInMD · May 29, 2006

Was the oil in good shape when you drained it? Or did it have water in it?

SteveInMD · May 29, 2006

Was the oil in good shape when you drained it? Or did it have water in it?

jimmysisson · May 29, 2006

Oil was used but dark-clean, no water to be seen. No vent either, that I can see. I changed oil in the main axle housing too, and that was clean, though probably less volume in there than the amount called for. I wasn't measuring, though. I don't know if the oil from the axle housing could leak into the wheel reduction housing or not. Could that cause an overfilled wheel reduction housing? Then would it cause a little pressure build-up? But, no oil ran out of the filler opening, just the air. I also assume there's a seal between the axle and the wheel reduction housing, though it may not be intact.
I don't think this is worrisome yet, just curious.
Jim

jimmysisson · May 29, 2006

Oil was used but dark-clean, no water to be seen. No vent either, that I can see. I changed oil in the main axle housing too, and that was clean, though probably less volume in there than the amount called for. I wasn't measuring, though. I don't know if the oil from the axle housing could leak into the wheel reduction housing or not. Could that cause an overfilled wheel reduction housing? Then would it cause a little pressure build-up? But, no oil ran out of the filler opening, just the air. I also assume there's a seal between the axle and the wheel reduction housing, though it may not be intact.
I don't think this is worrisome yet, just curious.
Jim

Soundguy · May 30, 2006

I traded my NH 1920 a couple years ago, but DO remember thast ever time I service dthe front axle and final drives.. it had pressure.. and yes.. when the pressure built up.. I got a seeping leak that went away.

An No.. the fill cap is not vented.. go figure.

I can't remember now, if the final drives shared the oil.. or if there were 3 fills /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.. I don't have my 1920/2120 manual anymore either.. i let it go with the tractor in exchange for the manual for my 7610s that I had traded for.

I had considered finding a vented drain plug.. even if i had to modify a vented mower gearbox plug... but then I traded the tractor... You may want to investigate that.. find a mower gearbox plug with a vent... some JD ones even have the dipstick... cut the dipstick to fit, and bushing it for the correct size hole.

Soundguy

Soundguy · May 30, 2006

I traded my NH 1920 a couple years ago, but DO remember thast ever time I service dthe front axle and final drives.. it had pressure.. and yes.. when the pressure built up.. I got a seeping leak that went away.

An No.. the fill cap is not vented.. go figure.

I can't remember now, if the final drives shared the oil.. or if there were 3 fills /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif.. I don't have my 1920/2120 manual anymore either.. i let it go with the tractor in exchange for the manual for my 7610s that I had traded for.

I had considered finding a vented drain plug.. even if i had to modify a vented mower gearbox plug... but then I traded the tractor... You may want to investigate that.. find a mower gearbox plug with a vent... some JD ones even have the dipstick... cut the dipstick to fit, and bushing it for the correct size hole.

Soundguy