Hydro noise
 

i know alot about gear drive cubs but very little about hydro tractors. i have a 149 im gonna sell but it whines. the trans functions great but its loud and i guess my question is a what makes the hydro rear ends whine and how do i fix it? im plan to do a new filter and fluid but wondered how much it will help with the noise? thanks

It's relative. They will begin to get noisey when fluid levels get low...kind of handy if you've forgotten to check. I'd be surprised if it didn't quiet down some after you service it. My 882 (MTD rear) has worked like a champ for years with a pretty audible whine.

HTH

Hydros are usually pretty quiet in neutral, if the linkage is out of adjustment they will whine a lot because the transmission is "trying to work".

They do whine some while they are moving, but normally more when the load becomes greater, like when going uphill and the lever is not moved to compensate for the extra load or when the lever is moved abruptly until the trans has sped up to "balance" the flow of fluid.

While setting still, try moving the lever a very little bit forward and/or reverse to see if the noise lessens or goes away.

Often times when the engine is shut down the F/R lever will move a little forward or reverse and cause the trans to whine.

If the filter is pretty clogged, I would imagine the trans will whine quite a bit, but I have never experienced this myself.

Changing the fluid and filter can only help.

And yes, if the fluid is low they will also whine a lot.

Good luck.

Mark made some good points. If it's noisier with the brake on, neutral needs adjusted. If not, it's air being pulled in from a low pressure side leak or cavitation.

ALL hydraulics make some noise. I'd rather have a noisy one than one makes no noise. :beerchug:

My 782 whines even after a oil filter and oil change.

Thanks for the info guys, hopefully I will get the filter and fluid change this weekend and see if that helps.

Hydro's are noisy. If you can post a vid so we could hear it it would be helpful. Probably fine though. I wouldn't worry too much.