NX6010 hydro transmission issues

[kapper]

Well, as some of you know I've been complaining about my hydro transmission seemingly 'slipping,' or having an excessive lag time. The Dealer, who has been fantastic so far, came to pick it up last week and they recalibrated the hydro. They tested it for about 2 hours and it worked great. They brought it back and I went to work on the new driveway project and it worked great!.... For about the first 3 hours...

Then, it started slipping, or hesitating again. So, yesterday Little Tractor sent out Mike, who I believe is the head mechanic. He again recalibrated the hydro and this was him test driving it. He was nice enough to level some dirt that I had drying out! Anyway, it was a good visit because between the two of us going over the issue, it caused him to identify two potential problems!

The first was that (If I have this all correct) on the newer tractors Kioti was putting on some hydro filters that the screens were actually too fine. They have swapped out a few filters (that were the next level down on screen size), to increase the hydraulic flow. He told me the technical specs/numbers on the filters, but I don't recall that part, but you get the idea.

Secondly, he saw that I have the 3rd function on the front and he looked at the valve used on it, and said it was a 'small' valve and that it was likely only allowing 8 gpm, when the system is pumping 12gpm (the part not including the power steering, as the whole system is like 17 gpm). He had this exact same issue on a DK shuttle tractor when a 3rd function was installed with a valve that was too small. The shuttle was also kind of 'slipping,' would not move very well, and was just plain tough even getting it to shift smoothly.

So, he ordered two new hydraulic filters and is going to get a bigger valve for the 3rd function. I am very pleased with that! I was really worried that this was going to be one of those 'phantom' issues that would net get resolved! I was beginning to wonder if they really believed me when I described what was happening!! Because, of course when they tested it, there was no problems!

The main symptom we identified was that each of the time it started acting up I had been doing loader work for a couple hours. So, it was HEAT that was consistent. After it got good and hot, then it started acting up, which makes perfect sense that either the filters are a bit too restrictive, and/or that valve, which was causing the fluids to run too hot, and either restricting flow, or possibly (but less likely) causing the solenoids to act up if they were getting too hot.

Hopefully, these changes will cure this thing once and for all!! I'll report back probably next week after they get the changes made. Rock on boys!!

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]I was really worried that this was going to be one of those 'phantom' issues that would net get resolved! I was beginning to wonder if they really believed me when I described what was happening!! Because, of course when they tested it, there was no problems![snip]

When I was little, back before vehicle manufacturers went to unibody construction, I remember one of our cars having a rattle and squeak somewhere down under the dash towards the firewall. It never happened when the mechanic was test driving or riding with us. :laughing:

Kap, thanks for posting your experience. Interesting about the hydro filters on some of the NXs. Got my NX in Spring 2014, so I'll watch for that. But around 70 hrs on her and so far so good.

 

[southerniltractor]

I chose Little Tractor which is 130 miles from my house over another closer dealer just for the reason you describe. They have a great reputation for service after the sale. Regarding the sale, James, Mike and his crew were outstanding to work with. I've had a couple issues with the tractor they were able to walk me through on the phone. The one "major" issue was the 4wd solenoid being inoperative. I brought the tractor back for the warranty work and it has been working fine ever since.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Mines not a hydro unit but I used a DO5 valve for my third function due to a DO3 rating. By the time you add a few fittings and 90 degree adapters and such it can really start to add restrictions to the over all flow through the valve. With my kubota there is many times I may run at full throttle for 2-3 hours with out stopping when bush hogging. With the NX I will now be doing that type of work more often, the price difference at time of buying the valve wasn't a bunch.

 

[IslandTractor]

I am no hydraulic mechanic/engineer, but it seems to me that if the screen was too small that the "slippage" would occur almost immediately. As the hydraulic fluid warmed up it would get through the small screen more easily not have more viscosity. Also, the diverter valve issue seems a red herring too. You don't even use the diverter valve which is in the FEL circuit when the HST is working to move the tractor so why should that have any role at all?

 

[countrybumpkin]

I think what he is getting at with the valve is it's causing restriction and adding to the heat build up of the oil.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Well, as some of you know I've been complaining about my hydro transmission seemingly 'slipping,' or having an excessive lag time. The Dealer, who has been fantastic so far, came to pick it up last week and they recalibrated the hydro. They tested it for about 2 hours and it worked great. They brought it back and I went to work on the new driveway project and it worked great!.... For about the first 3 hours...

Then, it started slipping, or hesitating again. So, yesterday Little Tractor sent out Mike, who I believe is the head mechanic. He again recalibrated the hydro and this was him test driving it. He was nice enough to level some dirt that I had drying out! Anyway, it was a good visit because between the two of us going over the issue, it caused him to identify two potential problems!

The first was that (If I have this all correct) on the newer tractors Kioti was putting on some hydro filters that the screens were actually too fine. They have swapped out a few filters (that were the next level down on screen size), to increase the hydraulic flow. He told me the technical specs/numbers on the filters, but I don't recall that part, but you get the idea.

Secondly, he saw that I have the 3rd function on the front and he looked at the valve used on it, and said it was a 'small' valve and that it was likely only allowing 8 gpm, when the system is pumping 12gpm (the part not including the power steering, as the whole system is like 17 gpm). He had this exact same issue on a DK shuttle tractor when a 3rd function was installed with a valve that was too small. The shuttle was also kind of 'slipping,' would not move very well, and was just plain tough even getting it to shift smoothly.

So, he ordered two new hydraulic filters and is going to get a bigger valve for the 3rd function. I am very pleased with that! I was really worried that this was going to be one of those 'phantom' issues that would net get resolved! I was beginning to wonder if they really believed me when I described what was happening!! Because, of course when they tested it, there was no problems!

The main symptom we identified was that each of the time it started acting up I had been doing loader work for a couple hours. So, it was HEAT that was consistent. After it got good and hot, then it started acting up, which makes perfect sense that either the filters are a bit too restrictive, and/or that valve, which was causing the fluids to run too hot, and either restricting flow, or possibly (but less likely) causing the solenoids to act up if they were getting too hot.

Hopefully, these changes will cure this thing once and for all!! I'll report back probably next week after they get the changes made. Rock on boys!!

Is your third function a diverter valve or a true third function with two buttons on the joy stick and no need to move the joystick while holding a button to make a third function work?

According to the shop manual, our tractors flow 9.9 gallons per minute to the working hydros so a D03 set-up is fine. With 12 gallons per minute (which is not our tractor's spec but what you get if you back out the power steering from total flow but forget both pump halves each flow 9.9 gallons with one side feeding the HST and power steering and the other side feeding the working hydraulics), we're right on the cusp go needing a D05 setup. I use a D03 with a Eaton electric/hydraulic valve which was the highest quality valve I could find. Because the loader hard lines are all 3/8" anyway, the 7/16" from a D05 set up couldn't be used--athough it would be ever-so-slightly faster than my D03 set-up on our NXs.

I haven't heard of the filter problem. With my 50 hour service knocked out last fall, I'm on my second filter for everything.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Using the DO5 had nothing to do with the flow amount to the front disconnects for the grappler or other things. It is do to the flow going through the valve all the time leading to the rear remotes and three point system.

 

[kapper]

I think what he is getting at with the valve is it's causing restriction and adding to the heat build up of the oil.

yes, this is what the mechanic believes. He had the exact issue before. I guess the valve that came was an 8 gal valve and he is going to get a 12 gal valve.

 

[kapper]

Is your third function a diverter valve or a true third function with two buttons on the joy stick and no need to move the joystick while holding a button to make a third function work?

According to the shop manual, our tractors flow 9.9 gallons per minute to the working hydros so a D03 set-up is fine. With 12 gallons per minute (which is not our tractor's spec but what you get if you back out the power steering from total flow but forget both pump halves each flow 9.9 gallons with one side feeding the HST and power steering and the other side feeding the working hydraulics), we're right on the cusp go needing a D05 setup. I use a D03 with a Eaton electric/hydraulic valve which was the highest quality valve I could find. Because the loader hard lines are all 3/8" anyway, the 7/16" from a D05 set up couldn't be used--athough it would be ever-so-slightly faster than my D03 set-up on our NXs.

I haven't heard of the filter problem. With my 50 hour service knocked out last fall, I'm on my second filter for everything.

I believe it is a true 3rd function. It has two buttons on joystick that function any time u push them.