leaking Eaton 12 Hydro

[Gillie]

Hey Fellas,

I just found that I have a leak at the control shaft on my 1886 W/Eaton 12 Hydrostat. Is this something I can fix myself? I can't seem to find a drawing or instructions in the Eaton manual that I dl'd from TF.com when it was up. I certainly hope I don't have to replace the Hydro unit. I have also run into a bit of a problem getting parts from the Eaton dealer when I use to Eaton part munbers from the parts list. I did manage to get an O ring, Quad ring and sealing washer here in town from an outfit called "Big River Rubber and Gasket". If I had to get these items from CA. it would have cost over $25.00. I got em for $4.98. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Gillie

[Sam1886]

Gillie,

Let me join your club of leaking Eaton 12 Hydro's. Right now it is more of a nusiance than a problem. (Fluid is cheap, grass takes time to regrow).

Actually, I was wondering myself if the oil seals on the control shaft, and axle shafts were replaceable from the outside. The parking pawl, and 12 inch body parts are o-rings.

Some time back, the Duff boys (Father and Son) advised me that the internal parts such as slippers were available from them. However, the o-rings and seals were available in any well stocked auto parts store.

I want to replace the oil seals, but just haven't found the time. I'm interested in your progress.

[Carl]

You should be able to replace the seals on any shaft that protrudes outside of the transmission. Yes and most seals will be purchasable from an auto parts store, or from a bearing shop. Take the old seal, or at least get the seal number. It should be on the seal somewhere. If at all possible get the shaft diameter, and the diameter of the hole the seal is in.

I wonder why Eaton doesn't have a listing for this unit on their site. They still have the literature for their model 6,7, and 11 transmissions.

[Gillie]

Carl, in a conversation with my contact at Motion Industries, he tells me that the Eaton 12 was built proprietary for FMC's large frame tractors. In the manual I down loaded from the Tractor Forum, thanks to AEGT 2000, They give both Bolens and Eaton part numbers. So far we haven't been able to look up a part number from Eaton using the Eaton numbers . He said that is because it was built for FMC and some numbers may have been purged from the system. At least what we have tried to find seems to have been. I would have to remove the whole hydro unit from the tractor just to see if it has a seal or O ring on the shaft. If I knew for a fact what it was and that I could replace it, that would be half the battle. I hate to get into a job, only to find out the parts arn't available or it wasn't fixable anyway. Another factor is that some had tapered shafts and some didn't. I am not sure which I have at this point. I will investigate further when I know I can replace whatever is not sealing. :bonk:

The last time I mowed with It I thought I was going to get a ticket from the EPA, :ROF: Thing was leaking and oil smoke coming off the Hydro while I was mowing. Might be quite a while before that grass grows again.

[sixchows]

Gillie
You know those parts are gathering dust somewhere. Bolens made a ton of repair parts for everything they made. Did you try ray's mower or sonnys bolens?

[Gillie]

I have been distracted from working on the mower. My Martins have arrived from South America, :fing02: and they brought some extra adult males, so I have been observing their behavior since this is only my seconed year having a Martin House. From what I get from the replys, I guess I can repair this if I can locate the parts. I guess I will call Steve at Motion and see if we can get them, if not I will try Sonny's or Ray's if necessary. I will post my Progress.

:Tractor2: Gillie

[sixchows]

Gillie
You might want to try Bob Fenn also. He's much easier to get a hold of than sonnys.

[Ken in NJ]

Hello

As a proud owner a many Bolens Large frame tractors ( 5 of them with eaton 12 hydros ) I have found the best advise and source for parts has been Don and Pete Duff of North Carolina. They are both experts when it comes to the eaton 12.

You can contact them @ 336-874-7730 or e-mail mrdadsr@aol.com

I am sure they would be more then willing to help keep a fine tractor going.


Good luck

Ken

[sixchows]

Hi Ken
Glad to see you found us!

[Ken in NJ]

Thanks

Glad to be back with such a great group of people

I hope I can help others, since I have gotten so much advise from this and the old site ..

Ken

[sixchows]

Ken
Looks like you already started helping!:fing32:

[AEGT5000]

Gillie...

:ditto: To what Ken said about Don and Pete Duff.
When it comes to Eaton 12's, they are the guys to deal with.

[Gillie]

I emailed the Duff's this afternoon seeking their knowledge and wisdom. I had been to see Steve and Motion Industries and he told me that since they are on the industrial side of Eaton, that Motion wasn't privy to all the product and tech support that Eaton has. I wonder if Eaton is still building hydrostatic drives for mowers? I will post when I get more info.

Gillie.

[Gillie]

Okay, Pete returned a reply by email pronto. Sent me a word doc his Dad wrote about taking the unit apart, which I have to do to replace the O RING. A lot of work for a small item, but at least I will be able, with the Duff's, help to do an inspection of some of the components that are likely to be worn and cause loss of power in the hydro. The truth is, I don't really know if the unit is up to snuff or not. I know the Eaton is a little more noisy than the hydro in my White. But, the Eaton is considerably older. I won't be able to get this started for about three weeks when I come off shift again. So I guess that is about it for a bit. Thanks for the help. I will post again when I start working on it.

Gillie