Blizzard, diverter valve leaking

[Newtogreen]

I been plowing since Friday here in Jefferson County, West Virginia. We got 10+ on top of the 30+ inches of snow. Anyway everything was going good until I notice hydraulic fluid leaking from my diverter valve. My setup is a cut JD 4115 with a 6 1/2 ft Curtis power angle fel blade. The leak is coming from where you pull the knob out to divert fluid so you can use the power angle from the curl position on the fel. I hope that I explained that right, don't know a whole lot about it. Can this be fixed and how,also what cause it.to much pressure or what. The blade is heavy but I had been taking my time pushing this heavy snow. I shut the tractor down for a while to write this and to have a beverage. Thanks any info would be helpfu. Larry

 

[countrybumpkin]

Not sure what brand of diverter you have but the ones I've seen are pretty simple. Sounds as if an O-ring is leaking, not to big of a deal to fix. Could be due to age, dirt, cold or any combination of these.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Does this look similar to what you have? This is a single line diverter, but not much difference. To take one like this apart you should just have to remove the snap ring from around the shaft and slide it out of the housing. Then you should be able to see the O-rings inside the housing. Should be able to remove them from the housing with a pick or similar tool. You should be able to find new O-rings fairly easy.

 

[Newtogreen]

Thank you for the reply. Yes mind does look similar to the picture. I quess mine is a double line diverter because it has more ports. Do I have to drain the valve somehow before I pull the knob out? And if so whats the best way to do it. Thanks again Larry.

 

[kennyd]

No draining required, but make sure all pressure is relieved in the system by moving the joystick around after the tractor is off. Some fluid will leak out so have rags/small container ready.

 

[Newtogreen]

Thanks KennyD, should I disconnect the fel from the tractor after relieving the pressure and also the blade? Thanks Larry

 

[kennyd]

Thanks KennyD, should I disconnect the fel from the tractor after relieving the pressure and also the blade? Thanks Larry

Don't need to...

 

[Newtogreen]

Thanks for all the help. I found the name of the valve (Metro) and called the company. The person I spoke with said the valve uses a standard quad oil ring which I could not find in my area. He also told me I could use a round o ring, and that it was unusual the o-ring went bad. After taking it out and inspecting it, which it looked fine, I put it back on and plowed some more without any leakage. Go figure. What could have caused it to leak to begin with? Thanks Larry

 

[kennyd]

Could have been a speck of debris got under the seal causing the leak...but who knows. It's fixed and it cost you nothing so plow on my friend!