JD 300 Industrial loader, is blowing the filter housing off!

Deadly_Evolution · Dec 23, 2009

My boss here has an older 60's-70" JD 300 (like the 1020 from what I understand) that he uses a few times a year. Recently changed the filter, and a hydrulic hose, and fluid. Everything seemed to be working fine for a few hours, but after sitting outside (Wisconsin winters time) upon starting the tractor it blew the filter housing right off of the loader, snapped the 5/8" bolt clean off. Not only once but twice now so it's not a fluke accident. Any ideas what could be causing this? We have virtually no info or knowledge of how this system works.

AKKAMAAN · Dec 23, 2009

Deadly_Evolution said:
My boss here has an older 60's-70" JD 300 (like the 1020 from what I understand) that he uses a few times a year. Recently changed the filter, and a hydrulic hose, and fluid. Everything seemed to be working fine for a few hours, but after sitting outside (Wisconsin winters time) upon starting the tractor it blew the filter housing right off of the loader, snapped the 5/8" bolt clean off. Not only once but twice now so it's not a fluke accident. Any ideas what could be causing this? We have virtually no info or knowledge of how this system works.

It is never a fluke accident!!
Is that a pressure filter on the pump outlet side, or a return filter??

Was machine well frozen (well below 32 for a longer time) when you changed fluid?

Interesting....filter must have been totally clogged up...filter bypass should have opened.....my only idea is...that there was frozen water on the bottom of the reservoir, that melted when system temperature increased above 32F....water starts moving around and when machine is left over night again, water chrystals freezes, and totally jam up in the filter....next morning ...pooof...

J_J · Dec 23, 2009

So, whatever happened, sheared the bolt, for the filter housing. and did not burst the filter, or housing. We need the rest of the story.

mmurphy · Dec 23, 2009

Since you are a first time poster I thought I would register also. I have a 400 John Deere and I too have had that happen. I would bet you have moisture in the hydraulics. I quit using mine in the winter cause I kept mine outside and well moisture gets in sump. I do not use mine enough also to keep moisture cooked out. Hope that helps.

markct · Dec 27, 2009

sure sounds to me like something frozen up past the filter, assuming this is a return line filter as most are. if pressure is going in but is blocked from going out, well ya can imagine that big housing and 5/8 bolt are gona pop. i have also seen on some filter housings the bypass spool can lose its spring and or retainer and slide too far and block off the outlet port, causing this same blockage and explosion. not saying this particular machine, dont know what it looks like, but just in general some filter bypass valves can have that happen. i would first look for ice tho blocking the line somewhere, drain off the bottom of the tank when its been sitting overnight and its warm out, or put a heater on the tank for a few hours, and if water comes out then drain it and replace fluid and figure out where its getting in

J_J · Dec 28, 2009

Is this filter a suction filter or return to sump filter?

Wayne County Hose · Dec 28, 2009

I don't know. I'm sitting here scrathing my head over this one. I thought moisture in a hydraulic system couldn't freeze or cause problems like this?

Egon · Dec 28, 2009

Could it sound reasonable that condensation on the hydraulics vent has frozen off allowing full hydraulic pressure where it should not be??

RickB · Dec 31, 2009

Are we talking about the cast iron filter housing under the tractor, or a loader with it's own independent hydraulic system?

There's not enough info posted about the system, and everyone is guessing without knowing. The tractor is closed center with a charge pressure/return filter, an independent open center loader system could have a suction or return filter, but a suction filter doesn't fit the symptoms.

surfacefx · Dec 8, 2010

I have a JD-300, 2 times in the spring after non use, once the bolt was blown, once cracked the cannister(aluminum) The damage was done over the winter. water definately in the hydraulics, and freezes pop it.
You'll start it up and realize thet theres hydraulics pouring out under the tractor.
I put new shifter boots on thinking the water was getting in there, used it for a year, (without changing hydraulics) and blew the second time.
No doubt none, that it's freezing.
I just wonder what else might pop!
Do they offer anti-freeze compatible with hydraulics?
Rick