Oil & Fuel MF 231 Transmission/Hydraulic Oil

[Soundguy]

my guess is the oil in it was thicker that you drained out, than is in there now. you might hear some gear noise...

 

[Jerry/MT]

? But to my knowledge, the hydraulics aren't giving me any trouble.

Once the position control lever is in the fully raised position, with the engine running, the lift arms will 'leak down' just a little after a short time but will quickly raise back up. Almost like a "jerking" action. It has done this since the day I've bought it. I'm sure it isn't supposed to do this but it's never affected the performance of the lift. The hydraulics are strong also. If I try to lift something too heavy (which is rare), the front of the tractor will go nose up! But if I kill the engine with the lift arms all the way up and a heavy attachment on the back, the attachment is usually on the ground within a short period of time. (+/- 10-15 minutes?)

A leakdown with a loaded 3 pt of < 15 minutes is generally considered a leaky hydraulic system. Even my old TO-30 takes more than an hour. But your complaint is a noise from the transhydraulic compartment so I'm merely suggesting some other possibilities rather than mechanical issues with the rear axle/ drive line.

 

[Travis_R]

do you have remotes on the back where you plug hyd. lines in from something you are pulling

It used to have the remotes but I took it off. I never used it and the handle was broke off that operated the remote hydraulics. When I replaced the seat with the new aftermarket A&I Products Bucket Seat, the remote hydraulic valve was in the way (mounted to right fender).

 

[Travis_R]

my guess is the oil in it was thicker that you drained out, than is in there now. you might hear some gear noise...

Once again, you hit the nail on the head! This is exactly what it sounds like to me... Gotta get that oil out of there before it DOES cause damage. Thanks

 

[Travis_R]

A leakdown with a loaded 3 pt of < 15 minutes is generally considered a leaky hydraulic system. Even my old TO-30 takes more than an hour. But your complaint is a noise from the transhydraulic compartment so I'm merely suggesting some other possibilities rather than mechanical issues with the rear axle/ drive line.

Agreed on the leaky hydraulic system. Can't hang a deer or hog from the boom pole long enough to skin them without the engine being killed. The hydraulics are strong when working with the engine running, but the leak down can sure be aggravating at times. I wonder how difficult it would be to fix?

I appreciate your suggestions on other possibilities. But Soundguy made me realize that it's gear noise that I'm hearing. But I do believe that if I don't get this crappy fluid out and get the right stuff in there, it will surely cause damage.

Thanks

 

[Travis_R]

While I'm thinking about it, here is the new seat I bought.

https://www.google.com/search?q=A-B...product%2Fproduct%26product_id%3D6708;500;500

A&I Products part# A-BS100BL for the black model pictured. But it is also available in Blue or Red. I had to do a little modification to the seat mounting bracket but it works fine. I purchased mine from Home page | Tractor Parts. It was the cheapest place I could find with shipping. It got here fast too.

 

[Jerry/MT]

Agreed on the leaky hydraulic system. Can't hang a deer or hog from the boom pole long enough to skin them without the engine being killed. The hydraulics are strong when working with the engine running, but the leak down can sure be aggravating at times. I wonder how difficult it would be to fix?

I appreciate your suggestions on other possibilities. But Soundguy made me realize that it's gear noise that I'm hearing. But I do believe that if I don't get this crappy fluid out and get the right stuff in there, it will surely cause damage.

Thanks

If it's a leaky relief valve you replace the relief valve or remove it and clean it up. If it's the lift cylinder seal than the lift cover has to come off. You'll need a manual to tell you the correct way to do that. First you need to verify where the leak is at. On the older tractors you could take off the side access covers and look into the hydraulic compartment to see if the lift cylinder was leaking and listen for the relief valve "whistling" or see the turbulence in the fluid where the relief valve was discharging. Don't know about your machine.

 

[Soundguy]

Once again, you hit the nail on the head! This is exactly what it sounds like to me... Gotta get that oil out of there before it DOES cause damage. Thanks

it may not be a damage issue. thick oils hide gear whine better than thin oils.

for instance. in machines with old spur gears.. thick gear oil makes them quietier than say.. utf oil.

on the flip side, someone may have put heavy oil in to hide or cover up some problem too.

 

[Travis_R]

Just got the hydraulic/transmission oil delivered today. Decided to go with Amsoil synthetic 5w-30, because it's compatible with Permatran III, and also because I use Amsoil in everything else I own. Will post back with the results when I get the oil installed and run the tractor.

 

[Travis_R]

Sorry for being so late on replying back to this thread. I'm just getting around to changing the oil. Ok I got it all drained this evening. Leaving the drain plugs out overnight. Even covered my socks and shoes with oil! I was really excited to see there were only just a very very few fine metal shavings in the bottom of the oil strainer cap on the bottom of the rear end. (Not even enough to count!) I was also happy to see there was only about a teaspoon (maybe if that much) of black sludge in the cap. The 1st time I changed the oil there was a lot of sludge but not many metal shavings. Tomorrow I'm taking the hydraulic strainer out and inspect it. Then clean it with diesel or some kind of aerosol spray cleaner. I will post pics of what the strainer looks like before it's cleaned. After everything is cleaned and get the bolts re-installed, then I'm adding the Amsoil. Hopefully this will solve the whining noise.