DavesTractor
Elite Member
On the tractor is should leak down but if its leaking down while disconnected id be checking for leaks... mainly at the hose connections... unless there is air in the system there is really no were for fluid to return to. Are you having to add Hyd fluid to the tractor often?
It can go to the other side of the cylinder past the piston seals with no external leaks. Only so much of that can happen without a leak if gravity is pushing the rod back into the cylinder (like having the stabilizers holding up the backhoe with it disconnected) as the rod displaces some oil. As you mentioned, the oil must go somewhere. That will sometimes cause the quick connects to be nearly impossible to re-connect as those hoses end up dealing with the extra oil and take on some pressure.