1541 hydraulic problem
 

About a week ago, while mowing, the drive coupling sheared on my 1541. I got a new drive shaft assy yesterday, and installed it today. I also changed the hydraulic fluid and filter. After doing the work, I was able to back out of the garage, stop, and now it won't move forward, or reverse. The lift operates very slowly also.
Before changing fluid and filter, I started it up to check the clearance on the fan, and the lift operated normally. (didn't drive the tractor)
Did something get air locked while changing the filter and fluid? If so, how do I go about bleeding the system?
Please help! my lawn desperately needs mowing.
thanks much,
Mike Schweim

1541 hydraulic problem, more info
 

I loosened the hydraulic filter while the tractor was running, and only got a trickle of fluid coming out. It wasn't under any pressure. No change when the lift lever was moved, or hydrostatic lever was put in forward, or reverse. Also no change when I operated the hydraulic check valve control.
Mike

You sheared a spirol pin in the driveshaft.

Why on earth would you loosen a filter on a RUNNING machine??? Nothing comes out because it's a suction filter and therefore is not under pressure. Not that it mattered anyway, because the pump isn't turning since you have a sheared spirol pin.

Got it.
 

I found my problem...nope, not a sheared drive pin. Pump was turning. The store I bought the filter from, sold me the wrong filter. I gave them the part# of the filter on my tractor, and they crossed it to a Purolator filter. I reinstalled the old filter, and my tractor works once again. I called the store I bought the filter from, and they said they'd refund my money. The guy today said the one they sold me is an oil filter, not a hydraulic filter.
Mike

Yeah, that'll do it too. Glad you got it figured out.

Why?
 

Matt,
Why did I loosen the filter? I didn't know that Cub Cadet put the filter on the suction side of the pump. All hydraulic systems I've worked on (mostly aircraft) have a screen on the suction side, and the filter is at the pump outlet. Loosening the filter would show if the pump was actually pumping fluid.
Mike

Most Hydraulic systems I have worked on the filters are either suction or return filters. I have seen a few pressure filters but they are normally a cannister type because of the pressures.