Newbie: TS1610 tranny fluid and brake questions...

[klynam]

Hello all - Newbie here from just north of Dallas...

I have a TS1610 (1997 model I think) that I bought last summer with only 670 hours on it, and I'm just over 700 hours now. I only use the tractor for tilling our small horse arena. I really like this little workhorse and am VERY happy wit it overall. And I'm SO glad to have found this forum!!!

While tilling last week, I noticed some 'mechanical' noise from the transmission area. I'm fairly sure I'm low on tranny fluid, or may even need to drain/refill the trans fluid entirely (my shifter boot is long gone so I probably have some water in there with all the rain we've had here in North Texas.)

First question: What type of fluid can I put in the transmission case? Gear oil? "Real" transmission fluid? Or Hydraulic Fluid?

My friend (non-Iseki tractor owner) says regular hydraulic fluid is fine - the same stuff I put in the hydraulic reservoir under the seat. I tend to agree with this as there is a flexible rubber overflow/vent tube going from my hydraulic reservoir to the top of the tranny. So it would appear they share the same fluid or something. However, reading on this forum I've found differing opinions on exactly what can/should be used in the tranny.

Second question: My left side brake doesn't work very well. Is servicing this a major ordeal? Can anyone share a service diagram?

The right side brake works fine. The left side works a little bit if I practically stand on the pedal - which I'm guessing isn't that good for it so I just don't use it. But it certainly would be handy to have working.

Last question: My PTO speed selector lever is really difficult to get into either of the two inboard positions. Is this normal or indicative of a problem?

My thanks in advance...

 

[larso1]

Welcome, I think I can answer a couple of your questions since I have a TS1610F too. First, your model Iseki is either a 1978,'79, or maybe '80, but no newer than that.

On the transmission oil, you don't use hydraulic fluid, use the tractor transmission oil they sell at Wal-Mart (or?) in the 5 or 10 gallon containers that conforms to the JD 303(?) spec, it''l say on the back panel. The hydraulic reservoir is definitely separate from the tranny case and uses a standard hydraulic fluid (for mobile equip.?). That's not true on all tractors however, many or most now have common reservoirs between the two.

On the brake, unless it's out of adjustment on the actuator rod, then I can't help. There are manuals available for this tractor under the Bolens brand (models G192/G194). Sources like Len Schaeffer on this forum have these.

On the PTO, maybe filling the gear case with fresh oil will help, also check your clutch adjustment. Hope this helps,

Bill

 

[klynam]

Thanks so much Bill. I'll head over to Wally World after work.

Appreciate any other thoughts/ideas/checks/tricks on the brake situation from other forum members. I'm REALLY not keen on the idea of pulling a wheel...lol

 

[Mark762]

This is a good match up here for you since the only thing I'm comfortable sharing IS the brakes. I have a TS1910F which is virtually the same tractor with only a little bigger motor. I had to go inside the brakes on mine because niether one worked unless I really stomped down and even then it was barely. I tried adjusting them (under the foot rests) but that didn't matter. What I found when I got inside was bad seals that had allowed the tranny oil into the drums. They were full! Wet brakes lubed with oil don't seem to work.

I got all the seals I needed from a local domestic souce (local bearing supply) and cleaned and reassembled everything. The job was easy for the most part. Most of the hassle was just getting everything out of the way (wheels, fenders, etc.) but you don't have to pull it all if you can contort enough. Manuals are readily available from people here or on eBay. I'd be glad to send pages regarding the brakes but you'd benefit from having the whole manual and they're not expensive. Get both the parts and the service manuals. If you find you need parts, I have some from my parts tractor I can deal on. Good Luck!

Mark

 

[klynam]

Hey Mark - thanks so much for the info. Still waiting for everything to dry out here enough to work on the tractor. I've been looking online for manuals and the only ones I can find are in the $40+ range....so I'd really appreciate it if you could email the brakes page to me.

 

[svcguy]

Don't be shy to spend $40 on a service manual for your tractor. Not knowing what you need to do will make $40 look like nothing when something breaks or siezes up. If you lose your clutch because of it being under or over adjustment, the cost will be shocking. Iseki parts are not cheap. That $40 will make almost any part needed look economical. Len, Hoye or any of the other excellent tractor specialists associated with this site will provide you that manual. A clymer VW manual is $20 and they will sell 1000 VW manuals to every 1 for Iseki. The cost of just obtaining one from Japan, the copy of it and handling of it actually makes the cost quite reasonable. Iseki's are a great tractor, but need the same care as any other.

Any tractor that shares a sump (uses the transmission fluid for hydraulics) needs to use a light weight, high pressure lube called TDH, a multi-functional oil that has unique properties that protects gears and drive trains while acting as a light weight hydraulic fluid. JD 303 is a common spec for that type of fluid and almost any oil producer has a good product that can be used.

Try your local auto parts store for a generic shifter boot, or at the very least make one from an old inner tube. Don't have your transmission open to the dust and weather. Drop all the fluid, remove and clean your transmission screen and install that boot. That's a nice little tractor and replacement cost is only going to get worse, not better.

Almost all bearings and seals are standard world wide, not all, but most. Most industrial suppliers can provide you with replacements if you quote the number codes found on them or take the old part in for measurement.

Good luck with your unit.

 

[lens12]

OEM brake shoes are expensive. Aftermarket ones are supposed to be available, but have been back ordered for ever. I have a company that relines them for me & do have some used ones. US & Japanese models shoes are different.

 

[jwscott]

Hello all - Newbie here from just north of Dallas...

I have a TS1610 .....
Last question: My PTO speed selector lever is really difficult to get into either of the two inboard positions. Is this normal or indicative of a problem?

My thanks in advance...

Did you ever get an answer or figure out why the PTO selector lever is hard to shift. I have the same tractor and have exactly the same problem. It shifts easily into the outboard positions, but its a real bear to get it into the inboard positions. Any help from anybody would be appreciated. Thank you.
Jim