PMaine 31 #1 Posted February 16, 2014 Today I bought a 516H with no attachments for $450. The seller told me the hydro leaked and gave me a new seal. The tractor ran great, hydro in forward and reverse was fine. On my way home I stopped and bought a snowblower for it. After cleaning up the tractor I mounted the snowblower and off I went. Things were going well until about 400' in when speed was reduced to a crawl. I brought it back into the garage and noticed hydro fluid all over the place. That's when I noticed the JB Weld and RTV which was someone's attempt at repair. I have a 252H as well, and know that both units use the Eaton 700. So I tore into the 252 and yanked the pump out to do the swap. Well they were not an exact match, so no swap. Anyway- I need a new pump. I know everyone says to swap in the Eaton 1100, but what exactly wears out on these 700's? I tore into it and didn't see anything strange? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #2 Posted February 16, 2014 The Onan 16hp engine runs awesome. I can't wait to get this back together and take care of some snow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #3 Posted February 16, 2014 sorry I can't help you with you question on what to repair, but I would be going to see the seller about selling you a lemon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #4 Posted February 16, 2014 The guy I bought it from took it in as trade for an auto repair, so I am not sure if it was him who did the repairs or the owner before. I will assume the seller had no knowledge of the faulty hydro and move on, I want to focus my efforts on the repairs! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #5 Posted February 16, 2014 I have a eaton 700 here I got as a core for a eaton 1100 I sold, the tractor it came off the guy said was getting very slow, so he swapped out the weaker 700 for the 1100 if you need the pump for parts or to play with I will sell you the pump off it pretty cheap plus shipping, send me a PM Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #6 Posted February 16, 2014 The pump on the 700 Eaton is what wears out most of the time. The pump is really the only hydraulic feature in that rear end with a tiny reservoir mounted under the seat. No filter. Just a closed loop hydro motor driving the gear driven rear end. They are great for mowing lawns but not for pushing, plowing and pulling over time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dennist 139 #7 Posted February 16, 2014 Take Kelly's offer, but if not what you are looking for I am in Central, Me. with a couple Eaton 1100's complete with trans and lifts still on 520 rollers. PM if interested. Good luck either way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #8 Posted February 16, 2014 Swapping in a 1100 with hyd lift is the best thing to do, but buy a roller with everything you need to do the swap it makes it much easier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
woodchuckfarmer 333 #9 Posted February 16, 2014 I changed just the hydro unit on my 518 it wasn't to bad of a job. I also installed the oil filter on it . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #10 Posted February 16, 2014 Thanks everyone. I went out this morning and took another look at the hydro. I pulled it apart and cleaned it, re-assembled and put 90w gear oil in (I know, 30 wt is spec) and managed to get my 200' driveway done before things went down hill. Oil is coming out of the top of the hydro (theres an elbow fitting on top). I have no reservior on this unit, whats up with that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #11 Posted February 16, 2014 Just looked in the manual (good idea right?) and it is showing a resevour that I am missing. Maybe I am just losing all my fluid? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #12 Posted February 16, 2014 I think the capcity of the pump on an Eaton 700 is less than a quart, so that could very well be your problem. Can you steal the reservoir off your other tractor to try it? Failing that, maybe you could find a power steering reservoir or even a coolant overflow tank to use as a temporary reservoir? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #13 Posted February 16, 2014 Can I just use any container or will this be subject to high pressure? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #14 Posted February 16, 2014 Its just a plastic tank like what you would see on an automotive brake master cylinder. Pretty sure it wont see pressure. I'm not positive, but it probably is vented to atmosphere. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #15 Posted February 16, 2014 Thanks Mike, I am going to fab something up and give it a go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #16 Posted February 16, 2014 I don't have a good pic of the reservoir, you can see a bit of it here: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #17 Posted February 16, 2014 Theres mine! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,414 #18 Posted February 16, 2014 Looks like an invisible tank! Was it there when you got it? Oil is expanding from getting hot and blowing out that elbow. The tank would normally collect it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
varosd 1,185 #19 Posted February 16, 2014 but if that is all you need, a lot cheaper and easier than a new hydro. unless you want to step up to the Eaton 1100. your 516 looks to be in good condition despite the hydro issue . where is the RTV/JB weld? nice car lift! is that just for the BMW? that could be the ultimate Wheel Horse lift! just paint it Red1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #20 Posted February 16, 2014 The car lift is used by many that's for sure! I just got the tractor yesterday so I never had the reservior. I hooked up a bottle of gear lube to the elbow and I was able to get fairly consistant performance from it. I still dont get wheel spin when I encounter a snow bank but there are chains on the tires, is this normal? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sorekiwi 761 #21 Posted February 16, 2014 I still dont get wheel spin when I encounter a snow bank but there are chains on the tires, is this normal? It depends on the surface you are on. I see you have plastic weights on there, plus the chains. At present I have a fair amount of ice packed onto my driveway under the snow, so one of my tires will start spinning when I hit the snowbank. On fresh (and un-driven on) snow I don't normally get too much wheel spin. I don't think I'd run that thing on 90 wt though, especdially in this cold weather. It might overheat the pump asking it to pump thick heavy and cold oil. Get some engine oil in there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #22 Posted February 16, 2014 Here is a picture of the top of the Eaton 700 without the fender pan. The reservoir is not under pressure and is is just an expansion tank. It sounds like it may be just leaking from the top fitting where the reservoir goes. I would only run 30W oil in it, although my one dealer told me to use synthetic 15W-50. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #23 Posted February 16, 2014 Thanks. I found one of these on ebay, says it fits a 518h and 520h, I assume it will work for me? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,213 #24 Posted February 16, 2014 (edited) Thanks. I found one of these on ebay, says it fits a 518h and 520h, I assume it will work for me? That looks right if it is the one from A and J. The 520-H does not use a reservoir. Edited February 16, 2014 by shallowwatersailor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMaine 31 #25 Posted February 16, 2014 That's the seller! Thanks everyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites