5035 HST suction strainer cleaning

Hermio · Jun 3, 2016

This might be a dumb question, but where is it? The Mahindra manual says it is on the right hand side of the rear housing, but the illustration does not look like anything I see there. They also refer to unscrewing 4 bolts on a cover plate, but no bolts are visible in the photo. I am doe for the 50 hour hydro oil change, and I want to make sure I know where it all is before I begin.

JerryK · Jun 3, 2016

Right inside the front of the right rear tire there is about a foot long [ $100 ] hyd filter. If you look at the base of this filter, there is a large metal hyd line that goes a few inches towards the center of the tractor then turns down. There, you will see two SS hose clamps holding about a 4" long piece of large rubber hose. Right below that, bolted to the side of your hyd sump, is what you are looking for. After you drain the 10 gallons of hyd fluid via the drain plugs, remove the 4 bolts holding the cast strainer cover, then carefully pull the 10" long strainer out of the side of the sump without damaging it. There is an O ring seal on the cast part that seals against the sump case when you put it back in. If this is your first pull, you will need to clean a lot of krap and grey sludge off that screen... do a good job before you put it back in. Next time, it will probably be a lot cleaner like mine was.

JerryK · Jun 3, 2016

ALSO, there are probably at least a half dozen of those 1/2" NPT square headed drain plugs in the sump area and up on the tramission cases themselves. You should think about yanking them all out and cleaning the magnets on them if this is your first system change. Never know what they might have stuck to them. The big hose with the SS clamps on it, loosen the clamps and slide them up next to the big filter, then slide the big hose up out of the way to pull out your strainer. AND, you guys can keep Toledo... Us Michiganders are over that deal......

DutchUncle · Jun 8, 2016

The only thing I would add to what JerryK has said is to change out the cheap screw clamps that Mahindra chose to use on the short section of rubber hose, and install a couple of quality SS screw clamps, less than $2.

jb1390 · Jun 9, 2016

JerryK said:
ALSO, there are probably at least a half dozen of those 1/2" NPT square headed drain plugs in the sump area and up on the tramission cases themselves. You should think about yanking them all out and cleaning the magnets on them if this is your first system change. Never know what they might have stuck to them. The big hose with the SS clamps on it, loosen the clamps and slide them up next to the big filter, then slide the big hose up out of the way to pull out your strainer. AND, you guys can keep Toledo... Us Michiganders are over that deal......

I think that there is an access plate opposite the hose that allows removal of the filter without the hassle of disconnecting the hose.

I did not notice that plate until I was halfway done - so I took it out the tougher way - but I'm pretty sure that the hose can stay connected. If I remember I'll try to take a picture - but check out that plate, it's on the opposite side of the transmission housing - about the same size as the plate that connects to the hydraulic suction line. I think it's 3 or 4 bolts that hold it on.

I only found 3 pipe plugs for the transmission - though they are all magnetic and worth cleaning. 2 are pretty easy, one is located under the cover for the front driveshaft.

Hermio · Jun 9, 2016

I found that there were rigid hydraulic lines preventing wrench access to the bolts. I did not want to risk damage to those, so I decided to have the dealer clean the strainer. Unfortunately, the dealer is backed up on service, so it will take him a month to get to it.

JerryK · Jun 9, 2016

The rigid line just forward of the strainer cover can be pried forward with a piece of wood with a little umppffffh. About a foot forward from this ' adjustment ' there is a fitting where the offending line goes up and connects at a fitting. After the adjustment, you may have to tighten this fitting, or at least check that it is still tight. If you have an appropriate hand tube bender, you can bend the tube in place with a real bender. But the umpffffh method works.... Remember, you are only moving it enough to get a straight shot with a socket, not ' inches '... so just a standard umpfffh.... Bet a cold barley pop that is what the dealer is going to do.....

Hermio · Jun 9, 2016

If the dealer screws it up, it will be his expense. I don't want to risk it.

TractorGuy · Jun 9, 2016

Hermio said:
If the dealer screws it up, it will be his expense. I don't want to risk it.

HA, if that part breaks while they are servicing it you will see it on your bill.

Hermio · Jun 9, 2016

JD855guy said:
HA, if that part breaks while they are servicing it you will see it on your bill.

I doubt that! I think they know what my reaction would be. So far, the dealer has been very good. I need it to go in for4 warranty work anyway, as I am getting some strange noises under the hood. Sounds like parts rubbing sometimes.

jb1390 · Jun 10, 2016

Hermio said:
I found that there were rigid hydraulic lines preventing wrench access to the bolts. I did not want to risk damage to those, so I decided to have the dealer clean the strainer. Unfortunately, the dealer is backed up on service, so it will take him a month to get to it.

Did you read my post about the plate opposite the suction line? You should be able to access the strainer from there. No need to take off the line.

Hermio · Jun 10, 2016

jb1390 said:
Did you read my post about the plate opposite the suction line? You should be able to access the strainer from there. No need to take off the line.

I read it. You mean on the left side of the tractor? I did not see one.

jb1390 · Jun 12, 2016

Hermio said:
I read it. You mean on the left side of the tractor? I did not see one.

Hmm, perhaps they added it for the 3550 (tier 4 version). I thought the 3550 and 5035 were pretty much identical besides the motor - maybe not. Mine has a plate on the left hand side opposite the suction line. See attached picture.

JerryK · Jun 12, 2016

HEH....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just looked at my 2011 behemoth and she has the same plate. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Free at last, free at last, Lord Almighty, free at last... [ from the hard way.. ] Who'd of thunk it... ??? ThANK YOU

Hermio · Jun 13, 2016

I will look for it after I get my tractor back.

Hermio · Jun 15, 2016

I got a chance to look at it just before they picked up the tractor. It did indeed have a plate on the left side of the tractor that looks like the one in the photo. I am surprised Mahindra did not suggest that method in their manual. Are there any gaskets or O-rings to replace? I assume the strainer runs the full width of the sump. How do you make sure it seals with the pickup tube at the right side of the tractor?

tjus77 · Jun 6, 2017

Damned I wish I had seen this post before I took it out like the manual said. I ruined the screen and the hose. Lesson learned, but I am glad I did change it out, fluid and all, because there was gunk in the strainer. Next time I will take it out from the left side.

Hermio · Jun 6, 2017

After hearing about all the difficulty, I am glad I had the dealer do it! Fortunately, it only needs to be done every 350 hours after the initial change.

tjus77 · Jun 11, 2017

I wish I had paid the dealer, two weekends of grief. Next time I will, totally worth it.

tbzep · Jun 11, 2017

It's a pain, even from the plate side, but worth it to know it was actually pulled out and cleaned. It was actually easier for me to do than to get all the shuttle linkage lubed.