TC55DA hydraulic problems

DieselMonk · Aug 15, 2009

Well, I have to say first time since 5 years of owning my TC55DA, she's broke! Had my new rear finishing mower on and mowed the field for 3 hrs at 30 degrees celsius, @ 540 pto speed. Went home to refuel, parked her in front of the garage, filled her up with Diesel for about 4 minutes. I put the fuel cap on, jump off the tractor and then I hear a water running noise like and a small puddle emerging underneath the tractor which was growing rapidly. Dang! Hydraulic oil! Jumped back on the tractor, started it and could hardly move it, I checked again for leaks while running and nothing, only that the EHSS is sluggish as molasses. So I parked her at her usual spot, stopped the engine, and the hydraulic oil started again to leak under the tractor. The spot is right on a very spongy rubber hose that has hose clamps on it and ist is shaped in a U form, located right behind the hydraulic oil filter. By now I lost most of the fluid. What does this very soft rubber hose do? Can I use any type of hose, or is this a special hose of some sort? I noticed that hose before a few years ago and finally it let go! What I don't understand is, why would the hose go when the engine wasn't running for 4 minutes and how come it stops leaking once I start the engine? Any thoughts?

jinman · Aug 16, 2009

Is the hose possibly #22 in the diagram attached? If so, it is part number SBA340692971 and is $22.80 U.S. The diagram attached is the EHSS and PTO hydraulic system. It looks like that is a low pressure system used to control the EHSS engagement and PTO engagement.

DieselMonk · Aug 16, 2009

I took a picture of it. Looks similar to that in the schematic, just a little different shape. The hose broke right after the hose clamp. One side is has deep cuts, the other side of the hose has little markings. I thought of cutting the ends off and reuse it, but it seems it has a different diameter below the cuts? I didn't try the PTO, but surely the FEL was jerky and the EHSS would only shift once I reved the engine over 1500rpm after the hose blew. I've lost a bit shy of 20l of hydraulic fluid. What kind of over the schelf hydraulic fluid at Walmart or so is good to get? My dealer is over 100mi away.

jinman · Aug 17, 2009

The reason the hose wasn't leaking until you stopped the engine is probably that it is under suction when the engine is running. You probably had lots of air bubbles in your oil but just didn't notice them. There's no telling what caused it to leak in the first place.

Be careful what oil you buy at Walmart. They have one oil that's cheap but may not meet the New Holland specification M2C134A. Check the list of specifications on the container. Many auto parts stores carry hydraulic fluid too, NAPA, AutoZone, etc. I'm not sure what stores you have in Canada.

DieselMonk · Aug 17, 2009

I took the plunge and went up to the dealer this morning. I had a look at an 2008 model year of my TC55DA equivalent. Well, there have been quite a few updates. Sure I had to look underneath to check on that same hose aaaaand? Riiiight! They changed it. It is much more rigid than mine! So I ordered a new hose and hope I am getting the new style hose. Picked up a can of hydraulic fluid and home I went. The new NH factory cabs are some nice... got me drooling all right. If the $$$ are right, I might have to take the plunge...