Leaking wheel motor

davesisk · May 18, 2003

I was using the PT saturday to help a friend move and spread 30 cubic yards of fill dirt and topsoil. We moved two dump truck loads in one afternoon. Wow! Wouldn't taken several days with a wheelburrow and shovel!

I noticed some oil dripping and chased it down to a rear wheel motor. When it sees any resistance (like changing directions abruptly, pushing into the pile of dirt, etc.) it shoots out a little spurt of oil, and seems to drip anytime the machine is moving.

I pointed this out to my friend, and asked him to make the call on whether I needed to stop because I was leaving oil drips all over his driveway. He said "No, keeping going...with all the help you're giving me, I wouldn't care if you set the lawn on fire!" /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif (And, yes, I did watch the oil level in the tank...I'd say I may have lost between 1/2 and 1 gallon during the entire day.)

Anyone else dealt with a leaky wheel motor? I'll call PT on Monday, but I'm wondering if anyone already knows replacement cost? Can they rebuild? Is there a seal kit or something for it? Any suggestions before I call PT?

Thx!
Dave

MossRoad · May 18, 2003

I take it the oil is coming out around the axle? If so, it might just be a seal. Keep us informed and good luck.

davesisk · May 18, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I take it the oil is coming out around the axle? )</font>

Actually, no. The cylindrical case on these things seems to be made out of two parts that meet about 2/3 of the way in the middle, with the long end on the side where the axle comes out and the short end on the non-axle side. The leak/spurt is coming from there.

There is one thing that concerns me. 3 of the 4 wheel motors have bolts on the back (the side opposite the shaft), while the 4th one has hex screws (although they appear to be about the same size as the bolts as far as I can tell without actually taking it off, and the wheel motor appears to be the same size). So, I'm wondering if perhaps this wheel motor was replaced with a non-PT wheel motor. Come to think of it, one of the rear tires is different from the other 3, but right off, I can't recall if it's the same one as the leaking wheel motor. Hmmm....we'll see later in the week I guess.

With any luck, there'll be a cheap rebuild/seal kit that's easy to install. (Yeah, right! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif) I'm hoping this won't require actually replacing the wheel motor. (Worst case, maybe I can take it off and ship it to PT for a rebuild.) I plan to call PT tommorrow and find out the scoop, then (as soon as I can), take the tire off and get a closer look at how the wheel motor bolts into place. Maybe I'll get lucky and it won't be too difficult to take it off the machine. Boy, by the time I'm done fixing stuff on this machine, I ought to be able to add "hydraulics mechanic" to my resume, eh? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Dave

duane · May 19, 2003

Dave,

I'm not sure that you have enough room, but see if the back case bolts/screws are tight. It's a long shot, but maybe. Good luck and let us know what PT says.

Duane

MossRoad · May 19, 2003

As I recall, it's your left rear that has the different tire.

davesisk · May 19, 2003

You are indeed correct, MR...how did you know that??? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The left rear is also the leaky wheel motore.

Thanks, Duane, sounds like a good suggestion, maybe I'll get lucky....I'll give this a look as soon as it stops raining here!

Thx,
Dave

Bob999 · May 19, 2003

I would certainly talk to Powertrac. However I would also talk to a local hydraulic shop if you have one. When I bought my machine I was assured that any competent hydraulic mechanic could correctly identify the components PT uses and obtain parts for their repair. Unless inspection indicates a problem with the motor case or main shaft I would expect that the repair will entail a rebuild kit--seals, gaskets, and perhaps bearings.

duane · May 19, 2003

Bob,

Last time I looked at your profile, it did not list the PT1845. congratulations! Give us some stories, what are you using the unit for.

Duane

MossRoad · May 19, 2003

I was looking at the pictures of your selector valve the other day and noticed that the tread on the left rear was different. I meant to ask you, but forgot.