L3540 hydro power questions

[RjCorazza]

That's not really a lot of debris to get directly from the tank. Was there any water this time? Last year you reported 1/2-1 gallon of water in the tank, so I'm suspecting you store your tractor outside?
I re skimmed the thread and know you've tried more than just a few things to address the issue... My thoughts are :
Look at the potential water intrusion.
Look at your fuel source, and handling.
Consider adding an electric lift pump.
Some filter / separators have a small inlet screen that may be gunked up.
Hope you get this straightened out.

 

[jonsstihl]

that is definitely some debris and the fact that is does it only going uphill could be bacause load increases but it could also be debris moving in a single direction. how close are you to your valve adjustment interval because the tank should come out for that. that would give you the chance to flush the tank out properly but if the filter is new and it still does it, the fuel flow is not the issue. how many hours on the tractor. are the brakes sticking. mine also drops RPM's when the load increases but not 500 rpm, maybe 200rpm on the flat. say I run 2000rpm in M high stopped. with the pedal floored I would be running 1800 even on the flat without a load on the PTO

 

[hunt4570]

That's not really a lot of debris to get directly from the tank. Was there any water this time? Last year you reported 1/2-1 gallon of water in the tank, so I'm suspecting you store your tractor outside?
I re skimmed the thread and know you've tried more than just a few things to address the issue... My thoughts are :
Look at the potential water intrusion.
Look at your fuel source, and handling.
Consider adding an electric lift pump.
Some filter / separators have a small inlet screen that may be gunked up.
Hope you get this straightened out.

No water this time around, and it is stored outside but covered. Fuel source is a couple local gas stations and my fuel containers are stored inside till use. Still seems strange it only happens on an uphill grade, and not that steep. I understand it will go down a little due to working harder going uphill but dropping 40-50 rpms seems excessive.
I cleaned fuel and air filters as well and both looked fine.
Thanks for your help!
I wrote this yesterday but forgot to hot post!

 

[masscity]

How long has it been losing rpm's on a hill.

 

[hunt4570]

How long has it been losing rpm's on a hill.

Looking at this thread, I’m guessing it started a round of May 2024

 

[masscity]

When did you buy the tractor, because I have a L3540HSTC-3.

 

[hunt4570]

When did you buy the tractor, because I have a L3540HSTC-3.

2015 maybe..

 

[masscity]

Mine is a 2012. HST's are weird to get used to, when going up a hill you need to be in the right range, including high or low in that range. As you climb, back off of the HST peddle, which will slow you down, but give you more power and maintain your RPMs.

 

[hunt4570]

Mine is a 2012. HST's are weird to get used to, when going up a hill you need to be in the right range, including high or low in that range. As you climb, back off of the HST peddle, which will slow you down, but give you more power and maintain your RPMs.

I do understand how that works and driving this tractor a long time normally when I’m mowing, I am in mid range in low. And it did not used to do this.!

 

[masscity]

Do you change your HST fluid and filters according to the manual. I don't recall if you changed your fuel filter.

I buy fuel, 6 five gallon cans and then dump it into my TSC 50 gallon cube with a TSC electric pump. I have a 10 micron filter on my pump. Now both my L3540 and my B7100 fuel filters stay clean for a long time.

I don't pretend to be a mechanic, have you talked to the dealer. Sometimes they will talk to you on the phone and maybe solve the problem.

 

[hunt4570]

Do you change your HST fluid and filters according to the manual. I don't recall if you changed your fuel filter.

I buy fuel, 6 five gallon cans and then dump it into my TSC 50 gallon cube with a TSC electric pump. I have a 10 micron filter on my pump. Now both my L3540 and my B7100 fuel filters stay clean for a long time.

I don't pretend to be a mechanic, have you talked to the dealer. Sometimes they will talk to you on the phone and maybe solve the problem.

Yes, I changed my HST fluid filters and the fluid as per the manual looking at my fluid. I can hardly see it on the stick because it’s so clear. The fuel filter was changed not too long ago and I just re-cleaned it and the air filter as well..

 

[Flogger]

I’d be looking at the pickup tube. I have had them freez and crack with water in the fuel. If it is cracked near the bottom it may be sucking air when you tilt one way or the other.

 

[hunt4570]

My thought there would be if it was cracked it would be leaking and it is not. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[jonsstihl]

he is talking about the pickup tube in the tank you wouldn't see a leak since it is on the suction side and inside the tank. does it do it more often with less than 1/2 a tank of fuel.

 

[hunt4570]

he is talking about the pickup tube in the tank you wouldn't see a leak since it is on the suction side and inside the tank. does it do it more often with less than 1/2 a tank of fuel.

It does not seem to make a difference how much fuel in the tank.
So I have a front axle seal gone out so I’m taking it to the dealer for that and see what they think on the loss of power. Tired of messing with it.

 

[jonsstihl]

I have an axle seal on mine too left side. I'm thinking I will try gear oil instead of SUDT2 before tearing it down. Have you replaced the lift pump or at least taken it off and checked it visually.

 

[hunt4570]

I have an axle seal on mine too left side. I'm thinking I will try gear oil instead of SUDT2 before tearing it down. Have you replaced the lift pump or at least taken it off and checked it visually.

My tractor does not have a lift pump on it. I have a short section of piping may be a foot and a half long and runs from the bottom of the tank right to my fuel filter.

 

[hunt4570]

So I finally decided to take it to the dealer, with a bad seal and the loss of power I figured I’d just let them play with it.

 

[jonsstihl]

i thought we didn't have one too but I think you should have one. i think it is mounted on the injection pump. it is after the filter

 

[hunt4570]

i thought we didn't have one too but I think you should have one. i think it is mounted on the injection pump. it is after the filter

Ahh, what am I looking for? Do you have a picture?