GC2600 whining gone, then came back

[Dinico]

Oil level went back to middle after starting it and curling the bucket. Both FEL and 3 pt were down.

Oil was clear driving, using FEL, and 3 pt lift.

I put the deck on to cycle it. Engaged PTO for about 15 seconds. Checked fluid. All cloudy with heavy foaming layer at top. Engaged another 15 seconds and it was all foam.

Drive back into garage. Lowered both FEL and 3pt while it was running at idle. Fluid cleared in about 1 minute.

Was at middle level.

I turned off the tractor and watched the fluid level drop to below the eyeglass.

What's up with this? Do I have a vacuum somewhere?

 

[Dinico]

yes to both, top off then test with deck on. fwiw I use little red dye to easily see in glass and trace leaks.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DSSPCBS

Good call on adding some die. Definitely going to get some. I did test with deck. Still foam.

My most recent post explains the fluid level.

It's at middle with FEL and 3pt down. I shut it off. Then the fluid in the glass drops below the sight. I've never seen this happen before.

I've never read about it happening either.

 

[Harry in Ky]

Never had any foaming issues prior.

1st time I've ever seen foaming was after the noise went away then came back.

Only foams when using the mower. I've taken the deck off checked for any leaks. Slightly tightened the suction filter and hydro filter. There was one drop of fresh oil on the hydro filter even though it was hand tight plus a half turn. Put deck back on, still foamy. Suction filter o-rings were properly aligned.

Disconnected the FEL lines and reconnected.

Oil level is slightly above halfway sitting in garage with FEL and 3pt down.

I'm at a loss. Can the hydro filter cause aeration?

I can see the filter gasket seal having some effect on air ingestion, but the PTO use (or not) should have no bearing on that. This is a belly mower using mid mount PTO? I can see the additional gears turning having some bearing on this depending on oil level, but it shouldn't cause any problem. No hose clamps on any suction line connections? I always tighten them with a 1/4" drive ratchet now since I can't get them tight enough with a screwdriver or nut driver.

 

[Dinico]

I can see the filter gasket seal having some effect on air ingestion, but the PTO use (or not) should have no bearing on that. This is a belly mower using mid mount PTO? I can see the additional gears turning having some bearing on this depending on oil level, but it shouldn't cause any problem. No hose clamps on any suction line connections? I always tighten them with a 1/4" drive ratchet now since I can't get them tight enough with a screwdriver or nut driver.

Yes, belly mower using mid mount PTO. 2 hose clamps on the suction line. I had to use a ratchet myself to tighten them up.

Is it possible for the hydraulic filter itself to be faulty?

 

[Harry in Ky]

Possible? I guess most anything is possible, but that wouldn't explain why operating a mid PTO would make a difference. What happens if you run just the rear PTO?

 

[Dmacleo]

Possible? I guess most anything is possible, but that wouldn't explain why operating a mid PTO would make a difference. What happens if you run just the rear PTO?

I was just gonna ask if there was a rear pto implement (snowblower, tiller,etc) that could be hooked up to isolate if only front 2k rpm output or both outputs affected.

 

[Dinico]

I was just gonna ask if there was a rear pto implement (snowblower, tiller,etc) that could be hooked up to isolate if only front 2k rpm output or both outputs affected.

Possible? I guess most anything is possible, but that wouldn't explain why operating a mid PTO would make a difference. What happens if you run just the rear PTO?

Haven't thought of that. Your both right as it could isolate the issue. Haven't had the tiller on this year. Honestly the whining sound always made me anxious when I ran the tiller. I will hook it up and give it a spin.

 

[Dmacleo]

is it possible you left old seal on when changing filters?

when testing with tiller do what you can to make sure pto shaft is straight from output to tiller to help negate any joint noise.

 

[Dinico]

Something doesnt seem right.

It's never done this before.
Tractor is at idle.
It's setting level with FEL and 3pt down.
Hydro level is at middle.
Turn off engine and level drops below glass.

I have released any residual on both. I actually disconnected all of the FEL quick connects.
When I start the engine, oil level immediately returns to middle.
Turn it off, drops back down. Where's the fluid going? Is there a pressure relief valve not opening?

is it possible you left old seal on when changing filters?

when testing with tiller do what you can to make sure pto shaft is straight from output to tiller to help negate any joint noise.

Didn't leave oil seal on. Already rechecked. I had cut open the old filter to check for if it was clogged.

 

[oldnslo]

Is the foam from the PTO gears turning in the oil? If pump was cavitating it would be happening all the time and not just when PTO is engaged.

I know that running the PTO on both the BX1850 I used to have and 2400H I currently have heats the oil up more than just driving around without PTO engaged.