Leaking Chief/Bailey's 3 spool valve - how hard to fix?

[FTG-05]

Found the Leaks!

The good news: It doesn't appear to be coming from a cracked housing or casting.

The bad news: Multiple leaks from different sources.

The dye worked great! I put in 3 oz in a 11.4 gallon system (requirements = 1oz/gallon) and it still worked great. I removed the valve from it's mount and hung it from the ROPS so I could clearly see the bottom. Started the tractor and warmed it up. After a couple minutes, I started cycling the 3ph with the EA land leveler (+750lbs) to get some pressure on the system. Nothing.

I then cycled the top link valve spool - nothing. I then cycled the tilt valve and the 3rd unused valve - leaks.

Here are two pics:



The leaks are coming from:

- The little black hole to the lower right of the 3rd valve spool (dead center of the first pic)
- The base of the 3rd spool (rightmost spool)
- The base of the 2nd (middle) valve spool
- The little hole at the lower right of the 1st valve (leftmost) spool barely visible under the paint.

I *assume* the little holes are hex head internal plugs? Perhaps as simple as removing, cleaning and adding sealant, then rethreading and tightening in the holes?

The spool bases: Are those sealed by the o-rings mentioned by the Bailey's Hydraulics guy?

Recommendations and suggestions for fixing?

Thanks!

 

[Tx Jim]

Tx Jim may have further comments but my understanding of the JD dye is to make the fluid level more visible in a sight glass.

Owners are overfilling because they cannot see the liquid in the sight glass when filling the transmission.

Dave
You're correct in that the JD dye is intended to make determining hyd oil level easier to ascertain be it by utilizing sight glass or dipstick. I was unaware that UV dye was available for hyd oil.
Thanks,Jim

 

[Dave M7040]

Dave
You're correct in that the JD dye is intended to make determining hyd oil level easier to ascertain be it by utilizing sight glass or dipstick. I was unaware that UV dye was available for hyd oil.
Thanks,Jim

Jim

It comes with old age.......

Dave

 

[FTG-05]

More pics:

I took the covers off of spool #3 and #2 at the one end where the valve was leaking. No o-rings to be found.



Since those covers are just metal-to-metal contact with no provisions for sealing; the failed sealing must be at the other end of the valve spool. However, I'm not willing to go any further without some guidance.

The replacement o-rings I have from McMaster (208-Viton ID = 5/8") fit snugly over the shaft, so it looks like I have the correct o-rings.

What say the experts?

 

[ptsg]

Pull those washers out. The O-rings are hidden underneath that.

EDIT: Same applies for the opposite end of the spool.

 

[FTG-05]

I can't tell: do those washers pull out or are they threaded?

Are you saying there are o-rings at the other end of the spool? Do I need to fool with them if it's not leaking at that end?

Thanks!

 

[ptsg]

Yes those washers just pull out. You can pry it out with a pick or a flat tip screw driver.

If the other end is not leaking, there is no need to mess with it for now.

The O-rings might be tricky to pull out though.

 

[FTG-05]

Got'em out! Thanks ptsg, you've been a big help!!!

Now, the next issue: The o-rings that came out of the tractor vs. the ones McMaster sent me were both supposed to be size 208 (ID 5/8, OD 7/8). But they're not the same.

Smaller version is what came out of the valve; larger from McMaster.



I *assume* there is no way that larger o-ring is going to shrink that much into it's assigned space, no matter how much I try to force it.

The good news: Once I go to town and get the right sized o-rings, this should be easy to put back together and hopefully it fixed my leak problems.

Thanks!

 

[ptsg]

Yes, that's the wrong cross section size. No way you could jam that in place.

On the other hand the old O-ring looks fine from what I can tell from the pictures.

 

[FTG-05]

So ended going to three stores (O'Reillys, Autozone and Kings Hardware) to find some o-rings. The hardware store had the best selection. Bought two (all they had) #12 o-rings. Slightly smaller than the OEM valve rings, but thicker, like the McMaster rings; they were the closest size they had.

Installed them and the leaks have been reduced quite a bit. I haven't had a chance to really get the tractor hot yet though, so we'll see.

Thanks!