[markromero123]

Hello,

I was cutting my grass when my mid pTo disengaged shortly after my forward and reverse no longer worked.I look under and notice my rear axle is wet on the right side. I checked the hydraulic oil it was really low. I filled it back up and I am able to drive forward and reverse. The PTO mid and rear will no longer engage and steering is a little stiff at full pull.

1. Rear axle leak
2. PTO no longer engages
3. Steering stiff (I am assuming a airbuble in the line for this one)

 

[markromero123]

I plan to drain and fill the trans oil and change the filter. I also my hydraulic lift is not working.

 

[CJadamec]

How old is your machine? This would certainly be a warranty repair.

If out of warranty you need to make sure you front axle if full of fluid as well. The front and rear axles are tied together hydraulicly. Also if you lost that much fluid the source of the leak needs to be found before driving the machine or using the pto.

You might want to pull the seat pan to get a look at the hoses and relief valves on top of the rear axle.

By the description of you problems I doubt the leak is at the side axel cover. I'd start looking at all the aux hydraulic lines and relief valves. Steering and deck lift run off a different part of axle hydraulic system than the drive wheels.

 

[markromero123]

How old is your machine? This would certainly be a warranty repair.

If out of warranty you need to make sure you front axle if full of fluid as well. The front and rear axles are tied together hydraulicly. Also if you lost that much fluid the source of the leak needs to be found before driving the machine or using the pto.

You might want to pull the seat pan to get a look at the hoses and relief valves on top of the rear axle.

By the description of you problems I doubt the leak is at the side axel cover. I'd start looking at all the aux hydraulic lines and relief valves. Steering and deck lift run off a different part of axle hydraulic system than the drive wheels.

The machine is a 2014 x758 with 400 hours. I purchased it used with 395 hours everything worked fine... I cut the grass twice since purchase I was was just about to do the fluid change when this happened.

 

[rydplrs]

I would pull the fender pan and the wheel on that side and get a better look.

 

[SulleyBear]

Were the fluid levels full when you got the machine?

In order to lose that much fluid, it should have left quite the spot on the floor under the tractor. It doesn't appear to have been leaking for long as the rear unit appears clean in the photos. Of course, someone could have power washed the unit very well to make it appear clean. Usually when they leak for some time, they are covered with dirt and grass, etc.

Now that the fluid level has gotten low, its going to take a little time to purge the air out of the system. When the system is run low, it pushes air pockets in the fluid and it gets into the steering valve and cylinder and new fluid will push the air out by turning the steering wheel side to side several times.


Was there any fluid on the dipstick when you checked it?

Make sure to follow the correct procedure for the dipstick on the hydro. You unscrew the dip stick, wipe it and sit it back on the filler neck. Then measure the fluid level with it sitting on top of the fill, not screwed in tight.

When adding any fluid, watch the level closely because it doesn't appear on the dipstick when you are adding and then all at once, its full. I think one quart low and it won't show on the dipstick.

To be low enough to have air pockets in the system, it was more than one quart low. It was likely half empty or more.

Here is a sheet from Green Parts Store listing all of the capacities on the John Deere products.

https://www.greenpartstore.com/assets/images/info/Fluid_Capacities_Turf_Equipment.pdf

 

[GreenforMe]

Did you buy this from a dealer? Seeing you only put 5 hours on it and if purchased from a dealer, it would seem they would have some kind of "X" warranty for it.

 

[markromero123]

Were the fluid levels full when you got the machine?

In order to lose that much fluid, it should have left quite the spot on the floor under the tractor. It doesn't appear to have been leaking for long as the rear unit appears clean in the photos. Of course, someone could have power washed the unit very well to make it appear clean. Usually when they leak for some time, they are covered with dirt and grass, etc.

Now that the fluid level has gotten low, its going to take a little time to purge the air out of the system. When the system is run low, it pushes air pockets in the fluid and it gets into the steering valve and cylinder and new fluid will push the air out by turning the steering wheel side to side several times.


Was there any fluid on the dipstick when you checked it?

Make sure to follow the correct procedure for the dipstick on the hydro. You unscrew the dip stick, wipe it and sit it back on the filler neck. Then measure the fluid level with it sitting on top of the fill, not screwed in tight.

When adding any fluid, watch the level closely because it doesn't appear on the dipstick when you are adding and then all at once, its full. I think one quart low and it won't show on the dipstick.

To be low enough to have air pockets in the system, it was more than one quart low. It was likely half empty or more.

Here is a sheet from Green Parts Store listing all of the capacities on the John Deere products.

https://www.greenpartstore.com/assets/images/info/Fluid_Capacities_Turf_Equipment.pdf

I was maybe a quart or so low when I drained the fluid. I'm going to refill and change the filter but the filter is damaged and doesn't want to come off.

Did you buy this from a dealer? Seeing you only put 5 hours on it and if purchased from a dealer, it would seem they would have some kind of "X" warranty for it.

There was fluid on the dipstick I'm guessing I was maybe a quart or two low. There is lot of dirt and fluid up top so I'm going to refill the system and leet run at idle to see if I can identify the leak.

Did you buy this from a dealer? Seeing you only put 5 hours on it and if purchased from a dealer, it would seem they would have some kind of "X" warranty for it.

Did you buy this from a dealer? Seeing you only put 5 hours on it and if purchased from a dealer, it would seem they would have some kind of "X" warranty for it.

I purchased used and not from a dealer... I have contacted the previous owner and waiting for reply.

 

[rydplrs]

When I mangle a filter I’ve had good luck with a cleaning it with brake cleaner, and a strap wrench. You can put some wd-40 on the strap, and within a couple minutes it becomes tacky, sometimes you need to add a dent at the pivot point to really increase traction.