NH 2005 TC30 leaking internally $4000 to fix? anyone else?

[ksshooter49]

I have not posted here in some time but trying to find out if anyone else has experienced an internal hydraulic fluid leak which comes out a bottom seep hole about the center of the tractor where a cotter pin sticks out of the housing. Dealer wants $4000 to split the tractor to replace either the rear seal in the front portion of the tractor or the front seal in the rear portion of the tractor. Does this sound valid and reasonable? Thanks for any assistance.

 

[RjCorazza]

Unfortunately, any tractor that I've heard of requires being split to make that repair.

 

[mrmikey]

Seems a bit on the high side but it is a fair bit of work to split a tractor. So it's either the rear main which would be engine oil or front transmission seal. The cotter pin is to keep dirt from blocking the hole

 

[ksshooter49]

Thank you both for the quick replies!! It is hydraulic fluid leaking so it is front transmission seal. Just wondering if they have it apart should they replace anything else. Thanks again!

 

[Harry in Ky]

I've done that sort of repair on dozens of tractors and would love to find someone who would pay me $4000 to do another one. Unless your tractor's configured in some unorthodox manner, or the leak is not just a seal but has major parts involved a split/leak repair should run less than half that amount on tractor the size of a TC30.

 

[TractorTech]

If you figure 20 hours, which is really liberal, @ $150/hr, that would be $3000.
You should be able to split and replace both seals for quite a bit less than that because TC30s are not hard to split.

 

[spitter]

Forget about the stealer. Find a good tractor shop in your area he is probably a better mechanic than the stealers. A non-computer-controlled pre-pollution-controlled machine such as that anyone with decent mechanical skills can split that in their sleep.

 

[ksshooter49]

I've done that sort of repair on dozens of tractors and would love to find someone who would pay me $4000 to do another one. Unless your tractor's configured in some unorthodox manner, or the leak is not just a seal but has major parts involved a split/leak repair should run less than half that amount on tractor the size of a TC30.

Thanks Harry. Much appreciated.

 

[ksshooter49]

If you figure 20 hours, which is really liberal, @ $150/hr, that would be $3000.
You should be able to split and replace both seals for quite a bit less than that because TC30s are not hard to split.

I have asked for a detailed estimate which I should get on Monday. That should help me to make a decision. I have added power beyond for a third valve group I installed many years back which gives me a control for my grapple (love it) and my rear hydraulics for lift and tilt. I don't think that makes a big difference to splitting. It currently has the loader frame on it which they said they have to take it off but that is quick. Thank TractorTech for the input. I will post what I end up doing.

 

[ksshooter49]

Forget about the stealer. Find a good tractor shop in your area he is probably a better mechanic than the stealers. A non-computer-controlled pre-pollution-controlled machine such as that anyone with decent mechanical skills can split that in their sleep.

This is the dealer in my area. Right next to them is a John Deere dealership which deals in small tractors as well. In addition, I have a couple of contacts I can call and ask. I really need that detailed estimate. Thank you all! I actually retired from working at 12 noon Friday and got this lovely news at 2pm. Not a lovely start. I'm 74 and not prepared to tackle any heavy challenges and I wanted to make sure I get some guarantee so if the leak starts right back up I don't have to pay twice.