2-135 Hydralic issues:

When I first start my 2-135 none of the hydralics respond. No steering, little if any brakes, & no response for the 3 point hitch or the outlets. If I let it idle a little while then shut it off for a bit, then restart it, they start to work after it makes a short groaning noise. If not, then the second or third time I restart it starts to work. What should I check first, & does it damage the pump while letting it idle waiting for things to start working?

Start with the filter. It's on the intake side of the pump and can cause trouble if plugged.

Our does this also. If we rev it up some to about 1000-1200 it gets primed up much quicker because of a stronger vacuum. The oil has to pulled up thru a stand pipe in the trans case to the charge pump, then to the hydraulic filter and finally to the hydraulic pump. There is also suction filter/screen that comes out the right side of the trans/rear housing with a big snap ring in front of the plastic plug. That is for the charge pump. I would clean that and replace the filter as Adam said. Also, there are tubes inside transmission case under the floor board. The o-rings can become hard and the retaining bolts can come loose allowing the charge pump to suck air. The charge pump is in behind the hydraulic pump. You can remove the stand pipe for the charge pump from a large plug under the trans housing. I think if I remember right, the o-ring for that pipe can be replaced if the hydraulic pump is then removed. Another issue was the gerotor style charge pump. The keyway on the driveshaft would wear and then allow the pump to suck air and not have any pressure at startup. I know our pump shaft is worn and all the rest of the things have been resealed. It is quite a job to tear out the floorboards and brake valve to access the hydraulic supply lines inside the trans housing let alone removing the hydraulic pump, charge pump, and filter housing. Hope this helps.

There is also a lip seal inside the charge pump it can get hard or torn and cause the charge pump to suck air and thus have a hard time sucking oil. when you have time you should fix this since the charge pump also supplies lubrication for the top trans. shaft and everything else in the trans. and pto.

Thanks for all the info. I changed the filter & that seems to have fixed the problem for now. Still have a couple of seepage issues from above the filter housing. Will address those when planting is done. Thanks again to all.