low on hydraulic fluid

JimMorrissey · Aug 26, 2005

I had a major hydraulic blow-out tonight. I smelled something strange, but thought it was just the tires getting warm from spinning on rocks....turns out I high-centered the machine on some large stones and it bend the little skid plate that covers the main hydraulic control valve for the loader /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I bet I lost two full gallons of fluid. It was spewing out in streams when I was trying to lift a big rock and wondering why it was having trouble lifting it. I immediately shut it off when I looked down and saw frothing fluid running from under the machine through the dirt. I then dumped the rock and cruised back to the house and removed the protective plate. It's all bent up and found the hydraulic lines loose and sloppy...fluid running everywhere. When I checked the connections they were not even hand tight, so I tightened them down good and snug. It was not leaking last I checked. I'll have to get some more Super UDT tomorrow morning.

So, my question is.......Does anybody know if running a GST machine low on hydraulic fluid can damage the transmission or anything else? I'll report tomorrow on how much fluid I lost.

The L39s do not have the greatest ground clearance. I've hit various stonewalls with the lower loader support posts numerous times. Gunna have to be much more careful thrashing about in the future.

JimMorrissey · Aug 27, 2005

Turns out I lost nearly 5 gallons of fluid. I can't believe it....

I was told by a dealer today that as long as the machine doesn't run dry on fluid, it "shouldn't be a problem".

v8dave · Aug 27, 2005

5 Gallons! That's the entire capacity of my B7610. I suspect the L39 has a greater capacity. L39 has glide shift transmission, right? Harder to do damage to that than a hydrostatic by running it dry. A low hydro might not have been able to drive back.

I'm paranoid about running over things after reading stories here about sticks and rocks. Fortunately, I've only rocks to worry about on my place and I'm moving most of those over time.

AntrimMan · Aug 28, 2005

Yeah it happens quickly alright. Shockingly fast. Thank your nose for keeping the damage to a minimum. More pump means more leak in less time. The tractor will be ok, she just needs a little transfusion. I suppose pressing on the lines loosened them. What about the spilled oil, do you intend to do anything about it? The spilled oil would worry me. Must have been a good puddle at the end of the trail.
Jim, I just consulted with my crystal ball, we see a more substantial belly plate in your future.

All the best,
Martin

ccsial · Aug 28, 2005

Oh, the spilled oil. Yikes! It could destroy your entire eco-system. I'd have the EPA come in wearing space suits and dig out about 500 yards of soil and launder it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

JimMorrissey · Aug 28, 2005

I need to be a bit more careful. I've just been pointing her in the desired direction of travel and moving forward....probably not the best practice.

The rock I was stuck on totally deformed a grade 8 bolt head and nearly snapped off the main hydraulic connection. I'd like to think I can avoid this in the future with some care /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

JimMorrissey · Aug 28, 2005

The oil is all over the place and a lot of the dirt will be removed for the road and mixed with various other dirt over time. I'm not worried about it...it'll degrade over time.

The lawn however doesn't like hydraulic fluid. There is now a dead path where the fluid was spraying out on my way back to the house.