Another 530 rockshaft seal question

Ron Fritz · Jan 28, 2021

Pulled apart the rockshaft assembly today to replace the seal, wear ring and o-ring. I was surprised that the old seal looked intact because my lift arms would drop immediately when I shut the engine off. I thought I'd find the seal in pieces. So I'm wondering if the seal can be leaking so badly and still look intact? I've had the tractor 15 years and the fluid transfer issue from torque tube to tranny started about 5 years ago but is really bad now. Also, there is a steel tube that comes out of the small oil pan under the piston and goes forward where it slides into a rubber tube. I assume this is a return line for hydraulic fluid and wondered if it's under pressure and could be leaking where the steel and rubber tubes meet?

Joe (Wa) · Jan 28, 2021

If the piston seals are leaking badly the leak-off return can be overwhelmed, the pan fills and overflows into the transmission. The tube could also be partially blocked. You checked the piston cylinder for scoring? After all those years I would replace the piston seal & o-ring while you have it down whether there is any visual sign of wear or not. I think John Saeli (315) 585-9826 still stocks the correct seals.

Another common reason for oil transfer from the torque tube to the transmission is the PTO shaft seal at the front of the differential cavity. Check that while you have the hitch cover off.

Joe

Ron Fritz · Jan 29, 2021

Thanks Joe. At first glance yesterday the cylinder bore looked good but I will take a closer look before reassembly. I've already got the new parts from John Saeli and will definitely install them while it's apart.

I will check that return line to make sure it's not blocked. Is there supposed to be a clamp on the tube where the steel and rubber connect? Or is it just a slip fit by design so that if the tube gets blocked it will push fluid out at the connection point? Seems like assembly/disassembly would be awfully difficult if you had to mess with a clamp on there...not much room to get your hands in there when it's connected. My manual doesn't have any pictures of that connection.

My fluid transfer problem on this tractor happens incredibly fast. I used to drain fluid off the diff and refill the torque tube once or twice a season but by last fall it was only a matter of hours. And like I said in my first post the lift arms would start falling immediately after shutting down the tractor.

Thanks for the help. Ron

Joe (Wa) · Jan 29, 2021

Not much experience in the 530 but if I remember right there is a clamp there.

Joe

Ron Fritz · Feb 2, 2021

Thanks Joe. Does anyone have a parts manual that might show whether or not there's a clamp on that tube? My service manual doesn't show it at all...doesn't even mention that there's a return line on there. I'm gonna try to button it up this weekend and want to be sure I get it right.

Another 530 rockshaft seal question

Ron Fritz

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Joe (Wa)

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Ron Fritz

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Joe (Wa)

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Ron Fritz

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