550 Trans question

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:02 am

Have a 1977 550. 3rd forward does not pull the weight of the machine unless going downhill. After running for 30 min or so the dozer doesn' want to reverse, it will go into 1st and move but it takes a little while for it to engage. Oil is up to the proper level. Any ideas?

digitup2 · Post by **digitup2** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:52 pm

Check the oil quality then the trany pump screen and get a pressure gauge on it get back to us with findings .Don't be afraid to put a big jug of Lucas trany fix in it as well I put that $&*t in every thing older Deere with power shift [the more the better ].Digitup.

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:01 pm

Is the dash mounted gauge accurate enough to use in troubleshooting?

digitup2 · Post by **digitup2** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:51 am

Most are accurate to a certain point. Watch for fluctuation between shifts or pressure drops between shifts .This will tell you where the problem is .So watch between 1 and 2 then 2 and 3 as well as F and R in all three mid throttle and warm oil is the best for good results as well .Digitup.

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:17 pm

In nuetral at half throttle the gauge reads 60 psi. When shifted into any gear the gauge reads 80 psi. It only reads 80 psi once it is fully engaged in that gear. After running it more last evening I noticed it "slips" when put into gear but once it engages it does not slip at any throttle speed while left in that gear, so you can put it in third and it just slips but when more throttle is applied it will engage and take off, once engaged I can dethrottle to any rpm and it does not slip until it is shifted to another gear. I am planning on pulling the screen tonight.

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:20 pm

The screen was clean...any ideas?

digitup2 · Post by **digitup2** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:30 pm

I would like to see a bit more than 60 lbs that is just a bit on the low side maybe the pump or piston seals all heading south at once?Digitup.

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:40 pm

You leaning more towards pump?

digitup2 · Post by **digitup2** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:31 pm

It would be that or the oil is too light I find AW32 or THO is just too light to run in that trany but Hy Guard is the [good stuff] not a lot of difference in those oils looks wise but all the difference in the world when in there you are loosing pressure some where .What do you have in the old Deere for oil at this point ? I don't put any thing but the good stuff in the power shift units and I don't have a lot of problems with them either.Put the good stuff in and try it if you don't have any more pressure then flush it and save it for the rebuilt trany.Digitup.

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:54 am

Right now I am running Traveller equivalent oil from Tractor Supply. Oil looked a little milky when I pulled the screen so I am going to drain and replace and add some Lucas and see what happens.

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 6:45 pm

Is there a way to flush the tranny rather than just draining?

digitup2 · Post by **digitup2** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 7:41 pm

pull the plug and let it drain if there is much milkie to the oil .Digitup.

adamshuss · Post by **adamshuss** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:40 pm

I pulled the cover off the suction screen access to drain the oil and not that much came out. Are there other reservoirs that need to drain? I know there are pipe plugs on each side of the powershift housing next to the suction screen cover, If these are taken out will it drain more oil out? Which plugs need pulled?

digitup2 · Post by **digitup2** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:22 am

Change oil put it at working level and make sure the screen is in a nice and clean condition If you put Hy Guard back in it will have enough additives to counter most contaminants.I don't use it any place else unless I have to but it always did a great job in the power shift transmissions .The 550B I got now has the trany filled with Hi Guard only .Even the main machines around here a 450J the 3-550Js , 650H ,750B and 850C use the good stuff in the tranys .We are more religious about that than the motor oil used even[Mostly Shell] .There is no time for down time around here so that is just what we do. .Digitup.[PS Hy Guard is made by Shell Oil but has Deere's own additives ]

mini kahuna · Post by **mini kahuna** » Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:50 am

put some new hy-guard in there and see what you get,I have seen off brand oils create lots of problems,including ruined transmissions.
hy-guard is expensive,but it is very stable at the pressures and temps inside clutch pack transmissions,the additives also make the friction clutches work smoothly without slipping.

good luck,hope it is not too late.

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550 Trans question

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