L3540 hydro power questions

hunt4570 · Sep 10, 2025

masscity said:
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 · Oct 7, 2025

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 · Oct 7, 2025

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

jonsstihl · Oct 8, 2025

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 · Oct 8, 2025

jonsstihl said:
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 · Oct 8, 2025

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 · Oct 8, 2025

jonsstihl said:
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.