Auto hydraulic change

[SCB]

I was planning to do my 300 hour service this week, but my BX23 has a unique feature I was unaware of. Right at 304 hours, the hydraulic fluid emptied itself. I was moving brush piles when all of the sudden there was no more FEL. Then there was no more fwd or rev. Well, I was axle deep in mud at the time so I pulled the tractor with my truck to the driveway expecting I had busted something. When I crawled under and had a look, I saw the transmission drain plug was missing. Now I did torque it when I changed it at 50 hours, but it had somehow loosened up and fell out. I followed my fluid stripes on the ground and I couldn't believe that I found the plug right there in the mud. Guess I got a lucky break. So this morning I did my 300 hour service and got her back running. I just hope I didn't do any long term damage to the hydraulic pump running it out of fluid. Any hydro experts willing to make a guess? Anyway, If you are under your tractor in between services, It won't hurt to check the tightness of the plugs!

 

[BRIGUY]

First I'm not a Hydo expert so get out your salt shaker.

I wouldn't think you caused any damage. the time that it took for the hot oil to empty out was probably very quick. It's not like you were running it with low level for a long time sucking air through the pump all the while.

This is based on my experience building automatic transmissions. It will be interesting to see what some of the guys with more hydro experience think

 

[SCB]

You are right about that Brian. I was making runs of about 30 feet pushing sticks and brush with my toothbar. I have about two and a half passes worth of fluid on the ground. I'm just glad I was going forward and not backdrqagging or I would have never found the plug