B7500 Leak

[gusg]

I have a 7500 with 6 hours on it. The tractor is barely a week old. I have a leak that drips down on the front of the MMM about in the middle and collects in the well of the MMM. It is either a transmission or hydraulic leak. I can't see where it is coming from but there are drops of fluid on the boot that houses a drive unit for the FWD. I can't tell if it is worse when I use the FWD or the loader. Has anyone else had this problem? I will be calling the dealer today to get him to look at it. I have stopped using the tractor for now.

 

[kubmech]

That is most likely the plug in the clutch gearbox housing (it's located just above the HST driveshaft where it comes out of the housing). If the tractor doesn't have the newer style plug it tends to dry rot in a relatively short amount of time and crack. The newer plugs are designed differently to prevent this. It's a pretty easy fix. If it's the HST drive shaft output seal that's a little tougher. The tractor will need to be split to replace it. There is another seal (o-rings) that seal a transfer tube that goes back to the trans housing, it is supposed to have two o-rings, sometimes it only gets one or the o-rings are damaged during assembly. That also requires a split for repair. Hope it's just the plug. You say the tractor is just a weak old, may be older depending on how long it sat on the lot as far as the dry rot problem is concerned. One thing to keep in mind is that it is a pretty easy mistake to think it's the shaft seal leaking, split the tractor and replace the shaft seal only to find out that the plug above it was the culprit all along. If your mechanic hasn't had the "pleasure" of
finding this out the hard way you can give him a heads up. With some creative use of a long screwdriver and long neck needle nose pliers the plug can be replaced without splitting the tractor.

 

[gusg]

Thanks for your help. Some of it is not what I wanted to hear. My Wife thinks that if it is an extensive repair the dealer should just give us another tractor. Should I continue to use the tractor while I am waiting for the dealer? My first inclination is to let it sit for now.

 

[kubmech]

Go with your instinct, if the plug is leaking it could open up more and cause a pretty severe leak. I know how you feel about having a brand new tractor split for a repair, especially this early in the game. If properly done you most likely would never be able to tell it WAS done. But you or I have no control over that in this situation. As far as getting a new tractor, that's going to be your dealers call. But don't panic yet, there is a real good chance it's going to be the plug, and if it is, there's really nothing to it.

 

[gusg]

Thanks for making me feel better. Unfortunately the dealer apears to have taken today off since no one is answering. I had hoped to use the tractor this weekend. I will look up and see if I can see the plug. It is just a little hard to see up there especially with the MMM there. I don't want to take the MMM off since it is acting as a fluid catcher.

 

[TresCrows]

It is probably the forward case plug. Get a wrench out and snug it down. I think these plugs have an o-ring type or gasket type washer--was this left off or is it damaged.
What is dry rot on a tractor?, a wooden boat yes but I never seen steel dry rot. I better go check and see if I got mushrooms growing on my 'bota /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif . B2410, trouble free at 100 hours plus.

 

[gusg]

I got home from work today and tried to see where the leak is coming from. Didn't see it but I checked the transmission fluid and the dip stick is bone dry! I definetely won't be suing the tractor. Hopefully with 3 gallons in the transmission it is only about a half a gallon low.

 

[gusg]

I guess that was a slip that I didn't catch. I won't be "using" the tractor not "suing" the tractor. Bad day.

 

[gusg]

Do you have any idea where this plug might be on a 7500?

 

[TresCrows]

Yeah ----read the manual, the part about changing transmission fluids and filters. J

 

[gusg]

The 7500 only has one plug. The 7400 has a forward and rear plug. The plug for the 7500 is aft of where the leak is. Thanks.

 

[RickNC]

Before you take the tractor to the dealer, remove the cover from the transmission hump and look right in front of the HST filter. There is a connection where the flexible return line attaches to the metal return line with a clamp if your B7500 is like my B7100. Mine was leaking a few years ago. When I tightened the clamp, it stopped leaking and hasn't leaked since.

 

[TresCrows]

I was assuming your 7500 has a forward plug like my 2410. Are you sure there is not a forward plug? It is kinda hard to see on my 2410 but it is there and detailed in the operator manual--such as it is. J

 

[gusg]

The owners manual talks about a forward plug but only on the 7400. My owners manual is for the 7400/7500. It says the 7500 only has one in back. Thanks.

 

[TresCrows]

Well, darn, I thought a 2410 was just a souped up, deluxe 7500. My 2410 has 3 plugs, two in back and one up front plus two hydro filters and a strainer.
You will be back in buisness soon and this will all be forgotten. J

 

[gusg]

Well all I found out what the problem is. The dealer came by and took off all of the dash controls and the steering wheel and moved the plastic cover back. He found a power steering leak. It is a cover on a unit mounted on the steering column below the steering wheel. He thinks that the seal might be installed incorrectly. He is going to come and take it to the shop tomorrow and fix it. He of course has never seen this before but is familiar with it because a guy with a 7300 or 7400 wanted power steering and he put it on.

Thanks for all of your help. I was hoping it was just a fitting but this doesn't seem too bad. Better than splitting the tractor.