JD 4300 stops moving in forward and reverse after a few minutes - engine still runs

[jthibodeau89]

Your home made stands look great. If I was anywhere near you I'd be making you an offer to try to rent them or might try to weld something up myself. But, to be completely honest, I can't see trying to split the tractor myself. I'm still learning all of this as I go and I don't want to spend the rest of my life hearing I told you so if I didn't fix or made it worse from my otherwise very supportive wife!

I didn't plan to split mine either, but i also wasn't keen on handing the dealer a blank check. Honestly splitting was the first repair i performed. It wasnt very difficult once i had the stands. I probably took off more than i had to, but took the oportunity to remove 20 yrs worth of dirt and debris.

 

[GreenRust]

Now I'm just thinking out loud and exposing my complete lack of knowledge on the subject but could air getting into the system cause this type of problem? Being that I can't work on this until the weekend I keep trying to visualize things in my head and I keep going back to the cheesy rubber suction line that is just hose clamped to the cover coming out of the sump. I don't recall seeing any leaks but I'm wondering if a small pinhole or barely loose clamp could get worse when it warms up. Short of replacing everything or RTV'ing the heck out of everything I'm not sure how I'd even check this but I figured I would mention it so someone that actually knows what they're talking about, as opposed to me, can tell my why this makes no sense, or does. Thank you again for your indulgence.

 

[Zebrafive]

Now I'm just thinking out loud and exposing my complete lack of knowledge on the subject but could air getting into the system cause this type of problem? Being that I can't work on this until the weekend I keep trying to visualize things in my head and I keep going back to the cheesy rubber suction line that is just hose clamped to the cover coming out of the sump. I don't recall seeing any leaks but I'm wondering if a small pinhole or barely loose clamp could get worse when it warms up. Short of replacing everything or RTV'ing the heck out of everything I'm not sure how I'd even check this but I figured I would mention it so someone that actually knows what they're talking about, as opposed to me, can tell my why this makes no sense, or does. Thank you again for your indulgence.

I think if the suction hose had holes, even pin holes, it would leak.
A possibility is the hose is collapsing, hindering oil flow.

 

[jthibodeau89]

You bring up a valid possibility. And entrained air would be bad for the hydrostatic pump.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had issues with air on a hydro. Fixed itself while messing around trying to do pressure tests. In my way of thinking, it's very possitive that it moves briefly. I bet it's something very simple.

Two things. Don't create further damage.

Please be aware of the serious bodily injury that hydraulic oil under pressure can cause. This cannot be over stated!!!! High pressure oil injected under the skin can cause major damage in itself and the oil injected under tissue may require amputation!

 

[GreenRust]

Please be aware of the serious bodily injury that hydraulic oil under pressure can cause. This cannot be over stated!!!! High pressure oil injected under the skin can cause major damage in itself and the oil injected under tissue may require amputation!

Very good reminder. I have a solid respect for hydraulic oil (makes me sound better than saying fear).

 

[waycoolmarine]

im not shure if it started on the 4310 but there is 2 filters one is in the tunnel -did you remove the 4 or 6 bolts that hold a pan on to the bottom of the tunnel ? there could be a filter up there and that one is for the drive if its plugged theres your problem there is a filter outside of tunnel under floor pan .

 

[GreenRust]

im not shure if it started on the 4310 but there is 2 filters one is in the tunnel -did you remove the 4 or 6 bolts that hold a pan on to the bottom of the tunnel ? there could be a filter up there and that one is for the drive if its plugged theres your problem there is a filter outside of tunnel under floor pan .

There is a spin on canister filter (like an engine oil filter) up on the housing and a suction screen (perforated tube) in the sump. I replaced both. I first thought that was the problem too but changing them and the fluid did not make a difference.

 

[GreenRust]

Did you confirm the rubber inlet on the pump?

It just dawned on me that I should double check that. Rubber hose with clamps seems like a weak point.

minor update: As I previously mentioned, I really only have time to work on this on the weekends but curiosity got the best of me. I checked the rubber manifold on the suction line and lo and behold it is rotted. It is very stiff and almost crumbling (note to self: always wear gloves dummy). My current theory is that this sits high enough it wouldn't really leak visibly but could be sucking air in turning the hydraulic fluid into foam once the tractor is running. Of course this is just theory until I get parts. No one stocks the manifold around here so it will be next weekend until parts show up but fingers crossed this is it. The part definitely needs to be replaced anyway. I'm sure some bean counter in Moline or wherever got a raise for saving 10 cents worth of rubber additives. I will report back one way or the other.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The (fabric covered) fuel lines on our 6200 looked like WW II surplus and all started leaking in a short time. Just makes me wonder what gives with such a corporate leader/giant.