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.

 

[5030]

The cost will entirely depend on the shop's labor rate more than parts and most dealers (I don't like the term 'stealers') labor rates are around 120 to 140 per hour today.

 

[Rusty]

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.

ksshooter49: My B7500 HSD-R had the same leak in 2022. I was adding a quart of UDT2 every day that I used the tractor. My dealer split the tractor and repaired the leak, plus did some other unrelated work. Cost was $1,083.95 parts + $75.71 sales tax + $4532.00 labor (41.2 hrs x $110/hr) + $177.88 misc. for $5,869.54 total.

I was without the tractor for 5 weeks, as they would not schedule the work until the tractor was setting at their shop. $560 of the parts cost was unrelated to the leak repair. I don't know how much the unrelated labor was, perhaps $500 to $600.

My dealer told me the seal had been damaged by field grass tangled around the shaft. He also told me to inspect the shaft/seal area as often as possible and carefully remove any tangled grass.

I just inspected the shaft seal after flail mowing a pasture, and found grass wrapped around the shaft again. I also found signs of leakage. I don't know how much I may be leaking, yet.

You may find that the repairs are only guaranteed until you use the tractor in tall field grass.

Hopefully, I can live with my current leakage, as I am not inclined to have the tractor split again.

I intend to research options to add a "skid plate" style shield to protect the seal, and to look for a way to slow the leak externally.

My best wishes,
Rusty

 

[ksshooter49]

Will post more when I have my tractor back.

 

[ksshooter49]

ksshooter49: My B7500 HSD-R had the same leak in 2022. I was adding a quart of UDT2 every day that I used the tractor. My dealer split the tractor and repaired the leak, plus did some other unrelated work. Cost was $1,083.95 parts + $75.71 sales tax + $4532.00 labor (41.2 hrs x $110/hr) + $177.88 misc. for $5,869.54 total.

I was without the tractor for 5 weeks, as they would not schedule the work until the tractor was setting at their shop. $560 of the parts cost was unrelated to the leak repair. I don't know how much the unrelated labor was, perhaps $500 to $600.

My dealer told me the seal had been damaged by field grass tangled around the shaft. He also told me to inspect the shaft/seal area as often as possible and carefully remove any tangled grass.

I just inspected the shaft seal after flail mowing a pasture, and found grass wrapped around the shaft again. I also found signs of leakage. I don't know how much I may be leaking, yet.

You may find that the repairs are only guaranteed until you use the tractor in tall field grass.

Hopefully, I can live with my current leakage, as I am not inclined to have the tractor split again.

I intend to research options to add a "skid plate" style shield to protect the seal, and to look for a way to slow the leak externally.

My best wishes,
Rusty

Thank you Rusty for the detailed post and story. It is probably sad that someone else's nightmare helps me feel a bit better. Again, I will post the details once I have the tractor back in my hands.
Best,
Tom

 

[ksshooter49]

The cost will entirely depend on the shop's labor rate more than parts and most dealers (I don't like the term 'stealers') labor rates are around 120 to 140 per hour today.

Rate is $175 in Topeka Kansas!!

 

[BruceSH]

ksshooter49: My B7500 HSD-R had the same leak in 2022. I was adding a quart of UDT2 every day that I used the tractor. My dealer split the tractor and repaired the leak, plus did some other unrelated work. Cost was $1,083.95 parts + $75.71 sales tax + $4532.00 labor (41.2 hrs x $110/hr) + $177.88 misc. for $5,869.54 total.

I was without the tractor for 5 weeks, as they would not schedule the work until the tractor was setting at their shop. $560 of the parts cost was unrelated to the leak repair. I don't know how much the unrelated labor was, perhaps $500 to $600.

My dealer told me the seal had been damaged by field grass tangled around the shaft. He also told me to inspect the shaft/seal area as often as possible and carefully remove any tangled grass.

I just inspected the shaft seal after flail mowing a pasture, and found grass wrapped around the shaft again. I also found signs of leakage. I don't know how much I may be leaking, yet.

You may find that the repairs are only guaranteed until you use the tractor in tall field grass.

Hopefully, I can live with my current leakage, as I am not inclined to have the tractor split again.

I intend to research options to add a "skid plate" style shield to protect the seal, and to look for a way to slow the leak externally.

My best wishes,
Rusty

A week of labor charge for this? That's what I call a stealership.

 

[nyone]

Where are you located? Il do that job for $3k plus parts.

 

[skramer360]

I'm about to split my TC30 next week in my garage for the same leak. I'll post pics and what I find.

 

[skramer360]

Well, I started the job this last weekend.
Loader and yard box removed.

In the garage about to start the job.

Loader mounts removed.

Stripping the skin and other things.

Three hours from the start, I had the fuel tank removed and it was ready to split.

I followed the steps in the manual carefully and methodically. Four hours from starting I had the tractor split and the clutch throw out bearing removed.

I used to work in a small engine shop for many years, so I have some wrenching experience. I wasn't rushing and I've never split a tractor before, so in my opinion anyone charging 30 or more hours to do this job is either inept or unethical and has a boat payment or 5 due.

 

[TractorTech]

Nice! Yup, dealer was gouging you.