Hydrostatic drive

[Tripod]

I have a F3060 mower. when the mower sits overnight the mower will move very slowly and the deck cannot be raised. After driving the mower approximately 50 feet it gets up to its original speed and everything works. Not sure how the air is getting in.
there doesn’t seem to be any leaks as I see nothing on the floor. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks

 

[Roadworthy]

Are you sure air is getting into the system? Is it possible driving that fifty feet is bringing the hydraulic fluid up to operating temperature?

 

[Tripod]

Thanks for the response roadworthy.
i have more info and a couple questions.
is there a check valve that prevents the fluid from leaving the hydraulic pump. I had someone tell me it sounded like the fluid is leaking from the pump back to the tank. The pump is very loud until it fills with fluid.

After the mower has sat over night it will go forward but very slow. Reverse does not work at first but will after a few times pressing the petal forward.
the deck lift doesn’t work at all until the pump seems to fill with fluid.
steering is erratic but does work. That also improves when the pump seems to fill with fluid.

Im Told running the pump dry will eventually destroy it. But it only takes a couple minutes of pressing the petal forwards and reverse until the pumps fills and everything works normal.

there also are no leaks or puddles of fluid on the floor.

all Responses are appreciated. I’m hoping there is a check valve or other problem.. not looking forward to replacing the pump.
thank you

 

[SDT]

Thanks for the response roadworthy.
i have more info and a couple questions.
is there a check valve that prevents the fluid from leaving the hydraulic pump. I had someone tell me it sounded like the fluid is leaking from the pump back to the tank. The pump is very loud until it fills with fluid.

After the mower has sat over night it will go forward but very slow. Reverse does not work at first but will after a few times pressing the petal forward.
the deck lift doesn’t work at all until the pump seems to fill with fluid.
steering is erratic but does work. That also improves when the pump seems to fill with fluid.

Im Told running the pump dry will eventually destroy it. But it only takes a couple minutes of pressing the petal forwards and reverse until the pumps fills and everything works normal.

there also are no leaks or puddles of fluid on the floor.

all Responses are appreciated. I’m hoping there is a check valve or other problem.. not looking forward to replacing the pump.
thank you

Is the correct hydraulic oil in the sump?

When were the filters last changed?

How many hours on the machine?

Yes, operating the pump with insufficient oil will destroy it and in very short order.

SDT

 

[Tripod]

thanks for you response
the mower has 2092 hours
filter and fluid changed at 2061 hours. The pump started acting up that made me change the filter and fluid. It has been taking longer for the pump to fill and run normal.

The filter Is changed yearly. We put 100-150 hours yearly on the mower.

We use kubota filter and the super UDT2 hydraulic fluid.