Hydro Trans quit working!!!

[MrHiggins]

I have a Cub 5234DE I bought new in 2005 and was moving snow with a back blade for 2 hours when the transmission quit working. It then would move 20 feet then stop, then move again. I have a 600ft driveway and was at the road when this all began. I made it back to the barn. There was frost showing in the sight glass. I thought, moisture in the trans oil. I changed both filters, nothing. I changed the fluid & new filters again, however I used Mobil 1 15-50 Syn. instead of Cub Syn @ $54 a gal. Still does the same thing. There is a very loud whining noise when it does move but still only moves a few feet. If it goes forward then it won't reverse. If I wait a little while it will reverse a little then won't go forward. Front bucket works fine, 3pt. works. Can anyone give me a clue as to what is wrong? All proper maintenance was always done. Always used Cub Syn oil until this time.
Thanks MrHiggins

 

[JTKub]

Some movement and loud whining could indicated air in the system; A loose fitting, hose, filter, etc. Is there a purge procedure on these? Did you use aftermarket filters? I'm not familiar with the bigger Cubs like yours, but I assume a charge pump in the trans powers the hydraulic accessories, so that's still working (things still spinning in there).

Joel

 

[MrHiggins]

Thanks for your quick reply Joel. No purge system. I've always used Cub filters. The tractor had 200 hours on it and the 3pt lever rubbed a hole in the hydro line, lost several gallons of hydro fluid. They had routed the line up against the lever. You couldn't tell by looking, it was on the back side. I changed all the fluid & filters at that time. Only have 400 hours on it now. There are 2 filters. Small one under the seat and another close to the drive shaft under the floor.

Higgins

 

[dex3361]

Could there possibly be a suction screen in the hydraulics that is plugged off?

 

[VinceSMTA]

I hate to bring up this possibility, but your ring and pinion gears could be starting to go out. I hope that is not the case but I have seen a couple cases where it would catch once in awhile, go a few feet then stop. The fact that you have your other hydraulics has me a little worried for you. If I get a chance I'll ask my buddy at the Cub dealer if he has run into any symptoms like this...he'll have a little more knowledge than me. Good luck

 

[carpenter383]

I have a "white" hydrostat garden tractor that does this, after it sits for a while it is fine.
If I disengage the trans to let it free wheel, it will do what you describe every time. Air in the system would make sense to me as mentioned in previous post.

 

[rcbe]

Thanks for your quick reply Joel. No purge system. I've always used Cub filters. The tractor had 200 hours on it and the 3pt lever rubbed a hole in the hydro line, lost several gallons of hydro fluid. They had routed the line up against the lever. You couldn't tell by looking, it was on the back side. I changed all the fluid & filters at that time. Only have 400 hours on it now. There are 2 filters. Small one under the seat and another close to the drive shaft under the floor.

Higgins

looking at the owners manual, I also do not see a "start-up" hydro air purge procedure called out. But, noticed that they put emphasis on two points - having hydro oil at operating temps when checking - and using the sight gauge to verify correct oil levels.
Anyhow - if you don't have it, here's a link to a downloadable owner's manual for that model: http://manuals.mtdproducts.com/mtd/GetFile.do?filename=769-00869a.pdf

always good to start there and at least compare what you've been doing vs. what they say to do.

 

[MrHiggins]

Just want to thank everyone for their input. I still don't know what the problem is but will appreciate all advise. I can't get it to the dealer for awhile, until the ground dries up a bit. So keep the info coming.
Thanks
Higgins

 

[mmurphy]

Mrhiggins, I will start out first of all telling you I know nothing about your cub, but hydro's should have some type of replenishing valve in it's circuit to keep hydraulic oil to its pump. If you can find out where it is located maybe it is as simple as taking it out,clean with solvent, and make sure it is able to move free. The pump and motor are a closed loop system so your other hydraulics as you metioned are o.k. and that would feed to your hydro pump as some one else mentioned. It sounds to me air is in there and it needs bled out or it will chew your pump up. Remember clean everything around anything you open very clean, 1 spec of dirt could have been culprit.

 

[MrHiggins]

MMurphy, Thanks for the advice, I'll look for the valve. Since there was frost showing on the sight glass, my initial thought was ice build-up blocking something in the system. That's why I changed the filters and fluid. Don't know how moisture got in the system (I've never power washed) other than maybe melting snow from plowing. It was 60F the other day so I tried it again but still the same.
Thanks
Higgins

 

[captaincrab55]

Mrhiggins, I will start out first of all telling you I know nothing about your cub, but hydro's should have some type of replenishing valve in it's circuit to keep hydraulic oil to its pump. If you can find out where it is located maybe it is as simple as taking it out,clean with solvent, and make sure it is able to move free. The pump and motor are a closed loop system so your other hydraulics as you metioned are o.k. and that would feed to your hydro pump as some one else mentioned. It sounds to me air is in there and it needs bled out or it will chew your pump up. Remember clean everything around anything you open very clean, 1 spec of dirt could have been culprit.

Isn't there a by-pass valve located in the circuit, used for towing???

 

[MrHiggins]

Transmission has a shift lever, High, Low and Neutral. The neutral position works ok. I can push tractor forward and back.

 

[mmurphy]

Cub Cadet has a service number out there somewhere, or maybe just question your local cub dealer about problem. I think it is more of an air issue, but you will ruin pump if you keep trying it untill issue is addressed.

 

[MrHiggins]

MMurphy...I agree about not runnung the tractor till I can get some more definate conclusions about the problem. I did talk to the dealer when it first happened and his opinion was the same as mine about moisture in the system. Some brands are very sensitive about that. At a shop rate of $75 per hr. I thought I would get some other opinions. Maybe someone had had the same problem.... I even read about guys having Cub replace the tranny a couple of times and even buying the tractors back. I really like the tractor but have had a few other problems, more than a quality tractor should have. When I get it fixed this time I will try to replace it. Maybe even another Cub now they are Yanmar.
Higgins

 

[MrHiggins]

Well, the dealer came & picked up the tractor yesterday. Its their busy season so will probably be awhile before they can look at it. I'm anxious
to find out if it will be $500 or $5000 to fix it. A new hydro tranny at M&D
is $815.00 but it may not even be the tranny so I guess I'll have to wait for the diagnosis. I post it when I find out.

 

[jnelson]

Good luck with that. It's hard to wait for news when you know that one the big end it could be very expensive. On the other hand, imagine how good you will feel if the solution is simple and inexpensive.

Hoping karma is on your side!

JN

 

[MrHiggins]

Up-date on my 5234de that quit moving. A little background first. About 2 years ago a hydro line wore through because of bad routing too close to the 3-point lever. Lost a lot of fluid before I noticed it. Put a new hose on, changed the fluid. Then this winter while plowing snow it quit moving.
Just heard from the dealer, a bearing has gone out and the metal pieces have made a mess of everything. $3,000.00 to fix it. I'm still making payments on the tractor so I really don't have much choice but to pay to have it fixed. Cub won't help. I contacted them when the hose wore through and saved the e-mails just in case but they still won't help. Only have 400 hours on it. The tractor is probably only worth $3000.oo but can't buy anything new for that price. My dealer is great, said he would knock off 3 hours on the labor. Be careful on buying a used 5000 series Cub.

 

[MrHiggins]

Got a call my 5234de is ready. Grass is getting thick so will be glad to get it back. I just wanted everyone in Mid-Michigan to know what a great dealer Atherton Road Sales is. They knocked off 3 hours on the labor & did not charge me to pick-up & return my tractor. They felt bad about a tractor with only 400 hours having such a big problem & Cub not willing to help. They sell several other brands.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Up-date on my 5234de that quit moving. A little background first. About 2 years ago a hydro line wore through because of bad routing too close to the 3-point lever. Lost a lot of fluid before I noticed it. Put a new hose on, changed the fluid. Then this winter while plowing snow it quit moving.
Just heard from the dealer, a bearing has gone out and the metal pieces have made a mess of everything. $3,000.00 to fix it. I'm still making payments on the tractor so I really don't have much choice but to pay to have it fixed. Cub won't help. I contacted them when the hose wore through and saved the e-mails just in case but they still won't help. Only have 400 hours on it. The tractor is probably only worth $3000.oo but can't buy anything new for that price. My dealer is great, said he would knock off 3 hours on the labor. Be careful on buying a used 5000 series Cub.

So, for $815 you can buy the trans ... but it will cost $3K to fix the problem.:confused2: Labor is too high!
larry