5220r hydraulic fluid leak

[Jesser02Ex]

Fellow Branson owners,

I have a 5220r with just over 100 hours. Today I was doing some grapple work stacking tree limbs in a burn pile. It was regular work like I致e completed many times previously. What got my attention was when I parked the tractor in the barn.

I noticed I had some fluid under the operators station of the tractor. I looked under the tractor and notice the fluid was clear hydraulic/transmission fluid. I went to the back of the tractor and the sight glass is showing full in the middle of the window.

I did not see where any fluid had been pushed out of the rear vent where you fill fluid. The filter is dry and did not show any leak. The drain plug was tight and not the source, however, the lower area of the transmission, near the drain plug, was wet and dripping.

I wiped everything up, nothing more than an ounce, but this is till a first and I知 ocd about leaks.

Has anyone experienced this or have a suggestion of where I can look for the leak? Does the relief valve on the loader dump any fluid out of the system?

Any feedback or thoughts?

Thanks, Jesse

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

The relief valve shouldn't be venting fluid outside the system. My thought would be to wipe everything dry as a bone while tractor is cold. Then without moving it, operate the FEL for a couple of minutes, loader up/down, bucket curl, pick the front end up off the ground, etc. Then shut it off and check underneath again. If everything is still dry, lift the FEL off the ground, leave it stationary, and move the tractor around, forward/reverse, and in each gear range, turn, stop, etc. Then come back and shut it off and check underneath again.

This would at least tell you if the leak is in the trans or the FEL area of the hydro system.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Aaarrggg. Double post

 

[ericm979]

I've had leaking from a relief valve because the cover that screws down over it was loose (not on my Branson). But our relief is on the loader valve, so it wouldn't get the transmission wet.

Tracking down leaks can be difficult, especially on a tractor with so many fluid systems.

 

[Jesser02Ex]

Well today was the day to find the issue. The tractor has 106.9 hours so I was not going to tear the tractor down.

I started with a cold tractor and cleaned everything off. The cool fluid was at the bottom of the sight glass. I added a little fluid to bring the level up.

I ruled out the FEL spool valve when I was able to really look around under the tractor. After cleaning everything off, I checked the drain plug was tight. I started the tractor and let it idle for 30 min. I pulled the tractor back in the shop and immediately noticed fresh drops on the concrete. I filmed the follow video for evidence.

I the drops appear to originate from the shaft that goes through the transmission pan. Maybe a bushing is failing? Are there any ideas from the collective?

Thanks for the suggestions!

/Jesse

 

[Jesser02Ex]

Update/ solved:

My dealer was able to fine the issue. There is a plug on the low pressure side of the transmission under the seat on the top side. It loosened and was seeping oil. Tighten and fixed. Sorry no photos, but I was told it’s under the seat. All fixed!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Hey that's good news.

 

[JonnyRed]

Thanks for the follow up, this info may save one of us a lot of grief later on.

 

[Jesser02Ex]

Friday and Saturday were heavy usage days for the tractor. When I pulled back in the shop at the end of the day, no drip, all was dry as you would expect. It was great news and I was very thankful.

 

[Branson Bob]

Friday and Saturday were heavy usage days for the tractor. When I pulled back in the shop at the end of the day, no drip, all was dry as you would expect. It was great news and I was very thankful.

:thumbsup: