Non moving hydro
 

I will try to keep this short.

Brought home a hydro drive Cub this weekend, it had a leaking line from the pump to the control valve, when I took the front of the line loose it bled red.

Replaced the line and started it up, it wouldn't move (forward or reverse) it would whine like it wanted to move but it wouldn't move.

Hydraulic lift works fine.

Fluid is a little low but not so bad that would keep it from moving.

Input shaft turns with the drive shaft, all the time (doesn't slow down or stop when F/R lever is moved).

Has automatic release valves, took one of them out, it was clean and the plunger moved back and forth easily.

Linkages are all working and connected properly, I see no evidence that anyone has tried to "adjust" anything.

Tractor rolls freely.

I have not pulled the cover or changed the filter yet.

I really hate to flush, filter and fill a pump/rear end if it is a worthless cause.

My first questions are:

Would red fluid cause it to not function properly?

Could red fluid damage the pump?

If the red fluid could damage the pump, am I just as well off to switch pumps (I have several tucked away for rainy days) and not worry about the one that's in it?

Does anyone have any ideas as to what I have overlooked?

Thanks Guys

You don't say what model it is?

Did someone put transmission fluid in the rearend? I'd at least give it the benefit of the doubt and change the filter and fluid out. The red fluid may be transmission fluid.

Cub Cadet 123

It's a Quiet Line.

I feel quite confident that it is ATF and I'm sure that ATF isn't an "approved" fluid. I just don't know that having it full of ATF would prevent it from moving, or if it would do harm to the internals of the pump. What puzzles me is that the lift cylinder works just as it should.

ATF won't hurt it at all. I ran Dex III in one of mine for a few years, and I know some guys who have ran it longer than that. Actually, in some of the IH construction equipment, Dexron was an approved alternative to Hy-Tran.

If the hydraulic lift works, did you try putting it in either forward or reverse and giving it a little push? I've had quite a few that wouldn't prime and doing that was all it took. Usually only have to move it about a foot, and it'll take right off.

Thanks Guys, I'll look into it further this weekend.