My LS180 was at my building, so not sure who used it or what happened. When I went to retrieve it. There is fluid coming out of the Right Side Drive Box. It is leaking from the top of the access plate between the wheels. I am assuming there is 85-90 Weight Oil in there and the oil leaking out appears to be Hydraulic Fluid, it is definitely not Gear Lube. How would Hydraulic Fluid make its way into the Drive Chain Box ? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance !
Having an LS180 myself and having worked on several, my first thought is a leaking drive motor. If it still has 10W 30 as hydraulic oil, you might do a smell check and see as it is possibly leaking by the seal and through the reduction case into the chain case. Is it low on hydraulic oil? 85 90 is the correct chain case oil and should only be up to the check plug. To the top of the plate is several gallons!
x2 on a drive motor leaking, that would explain why chain case is full. Chain case could still weep out of the top if running normal, but it wouldn't be very noticeable. Pull the check plug with a drain pan under it and drain any excess fluid. If there is excess fluid, run the machine another 10hrs with fill plug reinstalled and then check again to see if fluid continues to rise while hydraulic level declines. It may take 50hrs it may take 5hrs, just keep checking it. Running it with hydro or 10w30 in the chaincase for awhile is not going to hurt it. LS140-LS170 call for 10w30 in the chain cases. The entire machine uses 10w30 which was kind of nice. I don't remember the LS180 and don't have a book for them. They are under a bigger load but I still wouldn't worry one bit some of our heaviest chain case drives (up to 180 chain in some) on the farm still call for straight 30 or 10w30. Enough just say to use drain oil.
Guys, Thank you for the advice.....after following the steps outlined above......There was NOT excess in the Chain Case..... Further inspection was the oil was coming from the cover plate just above the Chain Case Plate. Removed the cover plate that covers the Lift and Bucket Lines and the Steel Lines were rusted and the lift line sprung a leak, the hole was spraying on the back side of the cover plate and running down to the top of the Chain Case cover. Ordered 8 new lines for both sides. Hope I don't have to bug you for another 6 months like last time ! Have a great week !
That makes sense and is a much cheaper fix than a drive motor can end up being.