D17 Hydraulic Problems

Hi all.  New to the Forum.  Just purchased my 1959 D17 and having problems with the 3 point hydraulics.  Could not raise the arms so I checked the fluid level.  Found the level not reading on the indicator so topped off and everything seemed to function properly.  Started to mow the field and the Transmission vent / fill cap started pushing fluid out.  Soon the hydraulics would not work again.  Low on fluid again.  Do the two share fluid?  Is there a seal that could be a problem?   Thanks for any info.

Thank for the reply.  I will look at the hose and repair.

A 3 bar grill D17, gas or diesel? I like that year D14, D17.

Do you have to split the tractor to do this? My arms on my D15 are starting to drift down, and I think it's an internal leak, I don't see anything exterior, and there's fluid leaking from the PTO shaft cover plate.

The problem with mine turned out to be the packing in the lift cylinder.  The internal hose appeared to have been replaced.

Edited by GSTROM99 - 12 Mar 2024 at 4:11pm

Edited by GSTROM99 - 12 Mar 2024 at 7:23pm

Plug into the remote outlet coupler and operate whatever levers it takes to make the arms raise to the top.         EDIT:  I can't say I've ever seen a remote valve plumbed like that one. Don't know how it even works. All wrong as far as I'm concerned. Remote female coupler needs to be connected on the Transport valve, not a hose. "IN" port on the remote valve connects thru a hose plugged into the Transport valve with female tip. "OUT" port on remote valve tees into a return hose going back into the sump under the fuel sediment bowl. The existing tee on yours doesn't belong there. When using lift arms, unplug the hose and let it hang for max hyd pressure to lift arms. Plumbed all wrong and cannot work correctly or powerfully.

Edited by DrAllis - 13 Mar 2024 at 7:00am

EXTRA dual-acting remote valve not needed. Where your hose is connected to the Transport valve is normally where the remote female coupler is installed. You'll have to remove the tee to make things work as OEM. Be sure to use two open end wrenches on that brass elbow or you will crush it/ruin it.

Edited by DrAllis - 13 Mar 2024 at 11:41am

In reference to the hydraulics ….. Our ‘58 D17 Diesel had sufficient hydraulic power to lift the entire wide front end off the ground.  We discovered this when using our home-built platform to transport a rotary hoe across a small stream.  I had to climb on the front axle to add some more weight while Dad drove the tractor.  Nearly got my toes smashed doing so.

Edited by Gatz in NE - 13 Mar 2024 at 1:44pm

Thanks all.  As I said, I have work to do...

Most all of those add-on valves are set at 2,000 psi, as that was the industry standard for that time in history. 

Edited by DrAllis - 16 Mar 2024 at 6:14am

Looks like you have a Cross aftermarket 3 point on your D17, you will still be pulling off the snap coupler because the 3 point attaches to the drawbar which attaches to the snap coupler bell.

now you have to weld the digger back together