NH 3930 blown seal

[professor]

I was clipping pasture with a six foot rotary cutter and noticed the transmission building intence heat in fact there was smoke coming from the area. The grass was tall with areas of thick Johnson Grass however I was mowing in second gear. I stopped and let the tractor cool until the following day. When I started the tractor transmission oil started spraying everywhere. I think it is a blown seal but I need some advice as to why the tractor would have gotten this hot. I want to repair the problem before I replace the seal. I checked all fluids before I started and everything was normal. The tractor is a 1997 NH 3930 shuttle shift with 888 hours.

 

[RickB]

Not enough information to give a good answer, but here are some things to check. The transmission oil is separate from the rear axle/hydraulic system. There is a small gear pump at the bottom of the transmission that circulates oil to the oil cooler. if the oil is spraying from the vicinity of the top of the transmission housing, there is little chance it is transmission oil, but rather hydraulic oil.
Possible causes;
Driving with brakes locked on; superheats driveline components
Operating with a remote valve stroked and 'deadheaded' forces pump(s) to operate against high pressure. result heat, pressure failure of orings, seals, etc in hyd system, eventual pump failure.
Low oil level in either compartment.

Check your oil levels. Crank the engine over with the starter leaving the fuel shutoff OUT so the tractor does not start. If it is a very late 3930 it may shut off with the key. If so, find and remove the wire from the fuel shutoff solenoid for this test. Verify where the oil is coming from. Post back with any results or more questions.

 

[professor]

Thanks Rick,
I will get back after the weekend.