Hydraulic problem?

[idaho04]

OK, today I drained the oil and took out the suction screen. Although I drained and replaced the h oil last summer, I noticed that the screen sits lower then the drain plug and I saw some thick milky oil there. When I was cleaning the screen with a toothbrush and diesel I noticed kind of white lint. After looking closer I think it looked like small frozen moisture crystals. Anyway the screen cleaned well and I was convinced I found the problem.

However when I put it together and tried it it it did not work. So I decided to look at the pump. To my surprise the pump is in great shape. No oil inside though. It seems to me that there must be a trick to suck the oil into the pump. I wonder if I should open the system somewhere on the output side to let the oil in the pump.

 

[idaho04]

All right, all fixed and working.

Most of you were correct, thank for help. I changed the hydraulic oil couple of times but did not clean the screen. Oil trickled through the screen until it stopped completely in the freezing temperatures. The system was just air.

After I cleaned the screen the pump did not draw the oil into it. The instructions in my detailed shop book did not work. So I ran the tractor in idle and slowly loosened the output pipe connection at the pump. After few seconds fluid started gushing out. This took care of priming the pump. No it works.

I am happy, happy happy.