125 Hydro leak

Steamboat_Willie · #1 10-23-2016, 04:32 PM

My 125 has a hydro leak from somewhere underneath but I can't seem to identify the source. I've looked underneath with the machine elevated providing a clear view but no luck. The hydro unit has never been serviced in any way since my dad bought the machine in 1969. Thus over such a long course of time is there typically any seals or gaskets in the hydro unit that you'd expect to cause a problem and leak? Continuing to replenish the CaseIH Hytran oil fluid level can eventually get expensive if I'm merely pouring it in one end and it just comes out another. Is there also any particular service bulletin that offers instructions that would help me with this fix? The videos I've seen on Youtube show others dismantling their CC's in order to gain appropriate access to the hydro unit and that seems like it's quite a chore to do that. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Ed

J-Mech · #2 10-23-2016, 04:38 PM

Well Willie.... you have to take the rear end out to get to the hydro. Sorry that seems like too much work. I suppose you can just keep dumping oil in it.

If it's never been serviced then I'd say it's high time it was. This usually just includes oil and filter change.

The most likely cause of your leak is either the cork gasket between the hydrostat pump and the rear end, the check valves, or a trunion seal. All are common leaks.

Dig out the tools, or dump oil in.

GreenMeanie · #3 10-23-2016, 06:56 PM

check the relief valves.

Steamboat_Willie · #4 10-23-2016, 07:59 PM

Oil & filter have been always changed on a regular basis. I'm not familiar with the relief valves you suggest. I will try and locate them in the 125 manual that I have. After cleaning up the residual oil based crud in the vicinity I noticed that there is a very small leak at the bottom of a round (2" dia) press fit disc (?) of some sort forward & below the pump. One photo and description in the manual mentions it being an expansion something. (I don't know all the correct terms like you guys do nor do I have the experience.) There's a small drip coming from the bottom of that 2" round insert. (If that's what it is.) My apprehension, digging out the tools as you say, is that since I don't have much experience disassembling machinery like this, I usually find myself getting in over my head and doing something wrong in the re-assembly process and winding up needing the assistance of someone else to correct my mistakes. I'll look into it further. Thanks. Ed

taylorjm · #5 10-23-2016, 08:13 PM

Wipe everything down then dust it all with baby powder and watch to see where the trail is coming from. If it's from the disk, then I think it's a cap to the internal bearings. From what I've read you would have to drill it, and dig it out and put a new one in. I've read of other people saying it's not worth the trouble and to put some jb weld on it instead.

I thought my leak was coming from the same place but after the baby powder I found it was leaking from the two relief valves on the top of the hydro. Mine looked like two big bolts. Just removed them and sent them in to be rebuilt.

ol'George · #6 10-23-2016, 08:40 PM

to add:
the Expansion plug you speak of, does occasionally leak, but more times than not, the leak is from the cork gasket between the hydro and rear end as John mentioned.
The relief valves are on the top of the hydro, 2 of them side by side with seems like 7/8" hex heads on them.
some have little buttons in the center of them, later styles just have small holes
in the center of them.

ol'George · #7 10-23-2016, 08:48 PM

In our technical section,tractors, on page 5 under hydro comparison there are some helpful pictures of the relief valves

Alvy · #8 10-23-2016, 09:43 PM

Willie there is a young man about an hour from you that can give you some tootalidge on how to fix your narrow frame hydro leak or he might do it for you for some $$ and some PBR if you ask nice. He probably has all the parts and cork gasket you are seeking too. He may chime in soon as his ears are burning as we speak.

zippy1 · #9 10-23-2016, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvy

Willie there is a young man about an hour from you that can give you some tootalidge on how to fix your narrow frame hydro leak or he might do it for you for some $$ and some PBR if you ask nice. He probably has all the parts and cork gasket you are seeking too. He may chime in soon as his ears are burning as we speak.

Willie, with the old tractors your going to have to learn to keep them maintained. What you refer to as a "chore" some of us call relaxation... Me time... Alone time...getting to know our tractors

PaulS · #10 10-24-2016, 04:34 PM

An appropriate service manual for your model tractor should help you as you work and maintain it. Tracking down a leak in the hydro can be tricky. I have found several times that where I thought the leak was coming from was not the location of the real leak. It was further up the hydro and was running down past where I thought it was. Clean that hydro up and check out the places already mentioned. I also would suggest keeping the hydro unit clean as heat can dissipate more easily.