Hydraulic leak

[Etch]

Well, found my first problem after owning my Mahindra 3525 for about a month. I knew something was not right when I could smell hydraulic fluid after every use of the tractor, but it wasn't until I had mowed about 5 acres and the engine starting getting pretty warm from all the crap on the radiator screen and I saw some kind of mist or smoke coming from where the hydraulic pump is after I set the FEL down. After I shut it down, I noticed a small puddle of fluid on the ground. The next day I started her up and did some testing to see where this fluid was coming from. I put the FEL on the ground and while obersving the pump, fluid started spraying out where the hose attaches to the "L" shaped connector on the pump. As I looked closer, it seems the bolt may be just a tad crooked, like it was cross threaded. That or the o-ring is bad. I tried to tighten the nut, but it wouldn't budge in either direction, however the two allen screws that hold the "L" connector to the pump were very loose.

Guess I'll call the dealer and see what they suggest. They installed the FEL.

 

[skipmarcy]

It's a wise choice to let your dealer look at your problem - if that bolt is cross-threaded it could be tricky/costly to repair properly. How much seat time have you had with your Mahindra so far ? Sorry to hear you're having a problem this early but I wouldn't get discouraged, Mahindra will back your dealer up pretty well if need be.

 

[Etch]

Nah, I'm not too discouraged. The FEL was installed by the dealer, so it's on them to fix it. They are going to pick it up tomorrow. I just hope they don't put me behind the rest of the repairs and end up having it for a long time. The fix is simple. It's just the fitting that connects the hose to the valve on the hydraulic pump. The valve is replacable as is the fitting, but I'll let them take care of it.

I've had about 12 hours of seat time. Bush hogged about 8 to 10 acres so far and started cutting my drainage trench. I just had 39 tons of gravel delivered and was going to start spreading it yesterday. I just hope I can get the tractor back before it rains again.

No Mahindra, so I got more John Deere lawn tractor seat time. lol.

 

[3RRL]

That's no fault of the Mahindra, but rather of the idiot who cross threaded that nut or the one (same one) who did not torque down the loose allen screws. That could happen to any tractor and probably has.

 

[Etch]

The dealer sent out a mechanic a couple days ago and determined the fitting was over tightened and had pushed the o-ring out on one side. He replaced the fitting and the o-ring to be sure. Apparently, the received the tractor with the FEL already installed and considered it a warranty issue.

Put in almost a gallon of Hydraulic fluid and was back in business.