L2800 HST running backward

Boatman62 · Feb 27, 2016

Had an interesting thing happen today... I was pulling stumps and one of them stalled the engine for a second but the engine restarted itself. Sounded kind of strange. Sat there a few seconds and thought it might clear itself... it didn't. I tried to back up and when I pressed reverse the tractor went forward, pressed the forward pedal and the tractor went backward. I thought I was imagining it so I tried again and same same results. I tried to raise the fel but it just fell to the ground.... no hydraulic pressure at all. Then I realised the engine was running backward so I shut it down. Waited a few seconds and restarted it and everything was back to normal. Used the tractor for another hour without incident.

Over the years Ive had engines run backward a couple times... mostly 2 strokes. But never with anything hydraulic related. Could this have done any damage to any of the pumps?

Adiredneck · Feb 27, 2016

This happens to me once in a while when I pull logs with my pto skidding winch. Shut it down immediately! I doubt the oil pump works in reverse rotation. Luckily for me, my father was right there when it happened the first time and he knew what was going on. Now I recognize it immediately and shut it down.

LD1 · Feb 27, 2016

Given the short duration, and everything submerged in oil, you are probably fine.

Boatman62 · Feb 28, 2016

Probably ran a maximum of 45 seconds. More concerned with the hydraulics than the engine itself.

rbargeron · Feb 28, 2016

Doubt there was any damage to the hydraulics. If allowed to run that way the HST would eventually revert to neutral because the charge pump wouldn't be keeping the main pump/motor circuit full of oil. But no damage would be done.