New Loader Valve Leak

[Hilbilly]

I recently bought a 2015 Massey 1749 and as part of the purchase price the selling dealer replaced the defective loader valve. After using the tractor for about 20 hrs I noticed hydraulic fluid under the tractor. I found that 2 of the 3 bolts holding the valve to the trans case were loose. I tightened them up and after another 2 hrs of use the tractor started bucking as I was driving it. I got out and looked around and found a slow hydraulic leak under the tractor and it looked to be from the same valve. I drove it back to the house (about 1500') and sure enough its coming from the same valve. The bucking continued as I drove back.

My concern is the bucking. Is it possibly caused by the loader valve leak sucking air as the tractor bounces along or could it have sucked debris into the hydraulic system? Air is one thing but debris could be a catastrophe.

This time I'm taking it back the selling dealer and let them fix it, even though I now don't trust their work but if anyone else touches it they can blame the other party.

 

[Zebrafive]

Start by checking hydraulic/trans fluid level. You may have a hydraulic clutch pack starving for fluid that makes it "buck". When my JD 2030 gets low on hydraulic/trans fluid it will slip when going up or down hill (Hi clutch starves for oil) then stop slipping when the ground levels. Topping up the oil fixes it.


The loose bolts may have let an o-ring(s) or gasket9s) fail or slip out of place, and tightening the bolts was too late. Replacing o-ring(s) and/or gasket(s) may be all it takes to fix the leak.

 

[oldnslo]

hillbilly,
The FEL system and HST are two different pumps sharing the same reservoir so would suspect air is the culprit Vs dirt since the HST should have its own filter. Like Zebra five states if the seals between the valve sections are compromised the fluid velocity could potentially create a vacuum pulling air into the system.

hope your dealer gets this sorted out for you.

 

[Hilbilly]

Thanks Guys.

I was the city today and went to the Kubota dealer where I bought the Massey (funny isn't it) to discuss the situation with the service manager. Same guy that deal with the valve replacement in the first place. He was defensive at first suggesting that it must be something else causing the leak because they use locktite on the bolts. I suggested that maybe they didn't clean the bolt holes properly and there was some oil in them. Then he suggested that maybe the Massey dealer cause the leak with the work they did in replacing the remote valve. Told him the 2 were not close the leak was obvioulsy coming from the loader valve. He eventually suggested I take some pics and send them to him, then he will make a call. Not sure if I will have to load the tractor back on the trailer and haul it back to the city or if he will send someone out. Either way I got the sense that he might find something other than their work that caused the leak so that he can charge me for their time.

I've got to look at this a little closer to decide if I will just do the work myself. It will likely take less time than loading the tractor up and hauling into the city and back. But maybe not, considering the pace I work at these days. Getting down and back up is not as easy as it used to be and kneeling kills my old knees. Man getting old sucks.