John deere 3040 hydro leak.

[Pat 3040]

I bought a john deere 3040 1984 little over a year ago knowing it had steering issues. By watching some bundy bears shed videos putting together a basket case 2030 he mentioned my tractor was very similar to the point it was exactly the same for what I was doing. I split it. Found broken hydro pipe in the case. Replace while I was in there I replaced worn out disc's in the hi low, pto brake, Removed hydro pump. All new o rings. When I first got it and ran it before the big repair. I noticed a steam of hydro fluid running down from in front of gear shifter. While I had it apart I removed the shifting mechanism and replaced the gasket where it bolts down to the tractor. Also replaced the gasket where the pto engager bolts on to the shifter plate. Sorry for long story. Leak was still there after I got it running. So I removed shift mechanism again remove the bottom plate and replaced those gaskets which were very different than what was on there. But. j.d. parts said there were only 2 types and the ones that came on it were not one of them. Well after I put it back on and started it. It's still leaking. Has anyone had this problem any advice would be appreciated. Leaks look like it's coming from between the shift cover and where steering column bolts to the frame. you can't see exactly where it's coming from. I wonder if it's internal seeping where the shift rods for pto and hi low cover is but saw no orings when I took them out. Thanks for any advice.

 

[Ioan annwyl]

Has the biggest core plug dislodged from in front of the shift cover housing? It was a common problem on early OPU cab tractors, there was a mod to replace with plastic plug and a strap screwed to housing and relief groove to drain excess oil from in front of spool.
Leaking transmission oil pressure switch.

 

[Cowabunga]

OPU is JD language and stands for the Sekura 'Operator Protection Unit' which was fitted to very early 40 series and a budget option later on to four cylinder tractors in a modified low profile form. I think they dreamt up yet another name for the low profile version.
Later on there was a low roof and budget model SG2 cab as well. There were an amazing number of permutations of these tractors.

 

[Pat 3040]

Are you possibly referring to this cover where bottom is open? I can pull spool out through here. There was no plug. This side would be toward engin. And in font is where steering column mounts down with 4 bolt square flange. The plugs on the back all seem tight and in place. I have a shop manual and it doesn't show anything but the small strip of metal.

 

[jd6820]

Are you possibly referring to this cover where bottom is open? I can pull spool out through here. There was no plug. This side would be toward engin. And in font is where steering column mounts down with 4 bolt square flange. The plugs on the back all seem tight and in place. I have a shop manual and it doesn't show anything but the small strip of metal.

Yeah that valve shouldn't be exposed! There's a plastic plug that goes over it. Part No. L39035

 

[Ioan annwyl]

There should be a plug in the round hole where you pulled the valve out from, it is held in by the strap. L39035 is the plastic plug you need.
Jd parts catalogue power train-shift valve(contact plug) item no 5.

 

[Pat 3040]

Than you very much I've been looking on the web and dreading taking this back off for the 3rd time now. I don't think my manual shows that. So again thanks.