[maineuropa]

A while ago I posted that my rockshaft arms had lowered themselves and would not raise up. I rebuilt the Rockshaft control valve assembly...everything worked for about 4-5 months until I ran the log splitter off the rear hydraulics again...it worked briefly right after I disconnected the splitter, then shortly after would not after I moved a trailer with the rear hitch on the draw bar. I have been real busy with work so I ignored the tractor other than running it occasionally to turn/clean up the compost pile. After about 2-3 weeks of this today the rockshaft is working again(I literally had brought it into the barn for disassembly). I can only assume that there is a sticky valve (unloading, flow or lower control valve) in the system and that there must be some debris circulating. Would this assessment be correct? So I now am wondering what the next logical step should be. I think I should drain and clean the screens, replace the filter, etc before rebuilding the rockshaft or control valve assemblies?

 

[Kennyd]

It sounds to me like you need to change your fluid, or at least do a "crackle test" on it to see if there is moisture/water in it. I suspect there is and the spools are corroding.

Do you keep this machine outside?
Do you use it often without it getting up to temperature? Like start is for less than 5 minutes or so?

 

[dieselshadow]

Great video Kenny! I knew you were good for something other than being a "hook"er. :mocking:

 

[maineuropa]

It sounds to me like you need to change your fluid, or at least do a "crackle test" on it to see if there is moisture/water in it. I suspect there is and the spools are corroding.

Do you keep this machine outside?
Do you use it often without it getting up to temperature? Like start is for less than 5 minutes or so?

I keep the tractor in an unheated barn. I replaced the transmission oil yesterday and the transmission filter; also cleaned the screen. The tranny oil looked coke colored. I did notice something odd(this is a second hand tractor to me): the transmission drain plug housing has a Fernco type dual hose clamp hose connection on the take up side. Underneath the hose connection the aluminum casting drain plug has a 1 1/4 " pipe with a lip. Part of the lip was ground away* under where the hose attaches. Cannot even guess how that was achieved(my machinist neighbor/helper friend and I had fun speculating) One of the things we wondered was if there could be some air on the suction side because of this and whether that would cause some issues. At any rate we replaced the hose part and so far the tractor is fine. I liked the crackle test, but I 'll pass on using momma's best bread pan...:laugh:
Now, if it ever stops raining I will be able to start mowing again and see how the tractor really likes it T oil change.

*If you told me it was from a chainsaw or the part had been dragged down the road, that would illustrate to you the lip condition.

 

[Kennyd]

I think changing the fluid will go a long way to correcting your problems.

 

[dieselshadow]

X2! :thumbup1gif:

 

[maineuropa]

Rockshaft droop question

Since I am working on the 955 with another issue, I noticed this thread from a while back. We (my machinist neighbor and I ) did finally decide that the hydraulic oil level was low...I must say that trying to check the hydraulic oil on that shiny aluminum dipstick is a simple fools exercise. I am seriously considering putting some flat black paint on the dipstick...we must have checked that thing at least a dozen times and really had no idea the actual oil level. We kept adding hydraulic oil( more than a quart) and the level eventually was enough to re-activate the rockshaft, which was being hydraulic oil starved by the wood splitter. SO my take-away from this exercise is that if your rockshaft suddenly acts like it has no hydraulic oil...maybe it it actually doesn't! But don't try to determine that information from the dipstick!

 

[gimmo]

Since I am working on the 955 with another issue, I noticed this thread from a while back. We (my machinist neighbor and I ) did finally decide that the hydraulic oil level was low...I must say that trying to check the hydraulic oil on that shiny aluminum dipstick is a simple fools exercise. I am seriously considering putting some flat black paint on the dipstick...we must have checked that thing at least a dozen times and really had no idea the actual oil level. We kept adding hydraulic oil( more than a quart) and the level eventually was enough to re-activate the rockshaft, which was being hydraulic oil starved by the wood splitter. SO my take-away from this exercise is that if your rockshaft suddenly acts like it has no hydraulic oil...maybe it it actually doesn't! But don't try to determine that information from the dipstick!

I think JD sells a red dye that you can add to your hydraulic oil to make it more visible.

 

[MFreund1]

I use reflection from light to look for the oil. Tip the dipstick to get a reflection on the dipstick then you can see the oil level.