Help please

[Slippery 16]

So I was blowing snow with my 520H with a 2stage blower mounted on it and I noticed a trail of fluid that looked like transmission fluid. I also noticed some spots on the blower. Everything is still working but for how long? My main question is where would transmission fluid be used on a 520h or 2 stage snowblower? It's a factory wheelhorse blower. It was late so I didn't have much time to investigate. 

Thank you inadvance.

[Darb1964 1,042]

I'm thinking the lift piston or hydraulic fitting or line's. Check level dip stick under seat. Better fix before running it much more. Bad for transmission if run low on fluid.

 

[R Scheer 502]

Can you supply the year of your tractor?  The transmission probably uses 10w30 engine oil if its an Eaton.  To check the Eaton transmission filter is on the left hand side, pointing straight back.

[Pullstart 62,812]

Definitely don’t operate it that way! Find the leak asap and at the very least, make sure it’s topped off if you need to move it to look for the leak.  The snowblower will only use the belt drive and the tractor hydraulic lift pushes it up.

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

All 520H tractors have an Eaton 1100 transmission and should contain motor oil.       Not sure what is in a dual stage blower gear box.

[lynnmor 7,302]

The gearbox in the center of the snowblower auger usually contains gear oil and they often leak.  There is also a gearbox under a cover where you oil and adjust the drive chain and grease the rear bearing.  The gearbox may have a thick fluid in it.  You need to determine the fluid level of these in addition to the motor oil and transmission oil of the tractor. 

[953 nut 55,124]

9 hours ago, Slippery said:

I noticed a trail of fluid that looked like transmission fluid.

Was the fluid coming from the center of the blower?  Check the seals and oil level on the blower gear box, could be in need of a seal which can be postponed as long as you keep adding gear oil (90 Weight) to replenish the leaking. Snow will stop sooner or later then you can fix it.

[Slippery 16]

The hydro takes motor oil. I'm guessing it came from the blower. From what I can tell the gear box has a plate on the side. How do you add oil to it?

[kwalshy 229]

Here is a link to the manuals section.  there is a gear box that can be easily accessed to add more oil.  you don't have to remove side panel.

https://www.wheelhorseforum.com/files/category/28-snow-blowers/

[wallfish 16,990]

The Peerless 90 deg gearbox was filled with grease from the factory. There's technically no fill because of that. It won't leak unless someone had it open before and put something else in there. You can remove the plate to look in it and or add grease.

The worm gearbox in the center of the augers can also be filled with grease instead of oil. I've been using Lubriplate 105 grease in mine for 3 years or more, no problem. JD Cornhead grease is designed for gearboxes and that will work too. 

[Slippery 16]

4 hours ago, wallfish said:

The Peerless 90 deg gearbox was filled with grease from the factory. There's technically no fill because of that. It won't leak unless someone had it open before and put something else in there. You can remove the plate to look in it and or add grease.

The worm gearbox in the center of the augers can also be filled with grease instead of oil. I've been using Lubriplate 105 grease in mine for 3 years or more, no problem. JD Cornhead grease is designed for gearboxes and that will work too. 

That's exactly what I did plus I added a grease zirt. FYI it was definitely coming from the gearbox.

[wallfish 16,990]

Red grease leaked out? The couple I've had open had a thick dark grease in them.

I like the cab

FYI -- Wrap a loop of #40 roller chain around those front tires and installed tight or they will get pushed off. Makes a huge difference with steering on snow and ice.

[Slippery 16]

It was red gear oil that leaked out. I packed it with red wheel bearing grease. 

Thanks I got a smoking deal on this bad boy 1200.00 for everything you see hear plus a mower deck, tiller, blade, disk, a bunch of other stuff, and around 1000.00 dollars worth of miscellaneous spare parts. I can blow snow in a hoodie and stay warm.

[Pullstart 62,812]

Good deal.  Yeah, red grease is less alarming than transmission fluid 

[wallfish 16,990]

That's a pretty good deal!!!

The thick grease will stay in there now. It softens up from the friction heat when running for good lubrication but shouldn't liquefy enough to leak out.

Not sure why someone would want to change that to oil.

I applied that same principle to the worm gearbox on the front once the seals leaked some oil. But not thick bearing grease.

 

Another tip for performance--- re-surface the flat behind the PTO pulleys and the mating clutch material. I use a belt sander for the metal and a sanding block for the clutch material. (Sand paper on a flat surface will do)

Right after you use it removing a good amount of snow, quickly go and feel the pulleys. Without it running of coarse!  If it's hot, then that is caused by slipping friction of the clutching connection between those 2 surfaces assuming the belt is good and also tight. Making them both flat creates more contact surface area and reduces slipping. Proper adjustment at that rod for the PTO is also critical for performance. A slipping belt will also cause heat on the pulleys. I had to change mine because the groove was worn. Probably from heavy use of a 60" deck without proper adjustment for the belt is my guess.

[Ed Kennell 38,049]

1 hour ago, Slippery said:

I can blow snow in a hoodie and stay warm.

Redirect some of that P220s rear cylinder heat into your cab and you can blow snow in a Tee Shirt.     BTW, congrats on the smokin deal.

 

 

 

 

 

[Sailman 1,291]

On 12/16/2022 at 10:31 AM, Ed Kennell said:

Redirect some of that P220s rear cylinder heat into your cab and you can blow snow in a Tee Shirt.     BTW, congrats on the smokin deal.

 

Reminds me of the old "heathouser" we used to have on the tractors back in Iowa in the 60's. Just canvas and plastic but the canvas covered the sides of the engine and directed heat back to the open cab area with plastic windshield. Better than nothing on those sub zero days!

 

 

 

 

[lynnmor 7,302]

There is an old auctioneer in my area that says “heathouser” when mentioning any kind of tractor cab or enclosure.  Just years of experience shining thru.