If it was slag, it was from when it was manufactured. Remaining welding splatter inside the tank is why I lean this way. I am the original owner of this machine. If my assessment is correct, it is pretty impressive the original pump made it ~ 2800 Hrs. Now have a magnet on the filter to try and capture metal.
Did not know they made such a thing as a bidirectional filter. That is good to know.
I own 5 Power Tracs. 422, 2422, 425, 2425, and 1430. I currently have 16 of these wheel motors in use, hence my thoughts on cost benefit.
The 425 is the only machine I bought new and is the one that eats wheel motors. I use this machine the most and as a result it has the highest priority on the maintenance schedule. The other 4 machines (ranging from 1999-2016) were bought used (3 commercial, 1 homeowner). From what I saw, only the 2425 had been maintained to the same level I have maintained my 425 since new. For the other machines, routine maintenance seems to have been taken as a suggestion. Rusted hydraulic filter, engine fire due to grass clipping build up, broken/welded wheel motor shaft from trying to move T barricades for a highway project, etc. As best I can tell, the used machines are still sporting mostly original wheel motors. The 425 seems to be a bit of a unicorn.
I appreciate the help