Satoh s650G hydraulics quit?

[lcorrell]

Was using my S650G to clear snow yesterday and suddenly lost all hydraulic function (after about 20 minutes of use). It has a front end loader which I was using to clear the snow. When I went to empty a bucket full of snow the loader just stopped responding to the controls while it was hanging in the air after rolling the bucket to dump. Trying to figure out what was going on, I lowered the bucket, which it did as normal, but then I couldn't raise it or roll it. Then I tried the 3-point, I have a 2 bottom plow on the back for counter weight. I lowered the plow, but then it wouldn't raise. So now my tractor is stuck in the driveway because the loader and the plow are both down and won't respond to the controls! I checked the fluid - it was low, so I topped it off and it made no difference. It never made a noise and now it doesn't bog the engine or anything when trying any of the hydraulic controls. This tractor doesn't have power steering, so I can't use that as indication of pump action. Any ideas what I'm up against?

At the time I was using the tractor it was just barely above freezing out - dropped to the teens last night, but it's supposed to be close to 40 out today. If it was just ice in the system it should thaw out today and start working fine right? I think this tractor has an aftermarket pump on it - it looks just like the kit shown on valley power's website - except a lot dirtier. I took the "coupling" loose just to see if there was a sheer pin or something, but it's just a square shaft - so that can't be the problem. Any ideas what to check next?

Please help! I would like to get this thign fixed or atleast moved ASAP so I can get in and out of my driveway!

 

[kenstrac]

last one I worked on had a exterior filter on suction side is it clean ,any oil in filter housing?

 

[kennyd]

There tractors have a external pump I think? You will need to make sure it's turning when the engine is running.

 

[lcorrell]

Got it working again. Turns out there was an air lock in the system from when it got low?

It still didn't work after our Sunday thaw (we hit 50!), so I figured it wasn't as simple as ice in the lines.

I loosened the pressure line right where it comes out of the pump to see if I had any pumping action going and got fluid. Started the tractor and definately had oil pumping! Hooked it back up and all was well?

Decided to go ahead and change the hydraulic oil and clean the screen filter. Wasn't too bad at all and the oil looked fine. The leak is a very slow drip in one of the loader cylinders, not bad enough to be worth fixing, but I apparently let it go too long before checking the fluid and let it get too low.