Hydraulic Issues Continued

[rScotty]

The proper flow/load meter temporarily installed inline just after pump (or before the first valve) would tell you instantly if it’s the pump or something else downstream.

The delayed gush would definetly indicate a suction leak and oil draining back to reservoir when its not used

Both are true. What I have on mine is a twenty dollar hardware store pressure gauge mounted at the input to the loader valve. 5000 psi/glycerine damped. It is right there where it is visible and tells how the hydraulics are doing. With a little thought, it is good for diagnostics too.
rScotty