Odd behavior from my 450E

[Rusty0007]

So, I had a interesting situation arise. I was popping out some stumps today. Let me clarify on that...I dug out some large stumps with a backhoe a few months ago. A few were real stubborn and I couldn't actually get them all the way out. These were huge oak trees. There were several in this situation. I had use of my buddys Kamatsu 31D for a few days and was able to get some out but had some left. The 450 has been noticeably better and popping these out...till today.

So, my procedure for this is that I break down the hole using the blade till I can approach the stump. Its usually a fairly steep angle but no longer a hole around the stump. I work the blade around, digging out the stump and then push it out. The odd thing that happened today is that when the dozer was at a steep angle I'd lose all power to the transmission. I used the blade against the stump and would level the tractor and it would nearly instantly gain the transmission back. When I say I was a steep angle, I mean at least a 45 degree. The dozer works fine on more level ground.

So, there was only about an 1/8 of the sight glass with oil in it, so I topped it off. I went back to the hole, same thing. Any ideas what could be causing this? Seems like I've had it in simliar situations recently, no issues. It seems like the fluid just was at such a steep angle in the tank that the pick up sucked air but again, it was full. Maybe I was just at an angle that was too steep for the system to function? Like I said though, it wasn't the first time. Oh, it wasn't hot. I'd only been working it for about 20 min. What ya think?

[Hutch350B]

Sounds to me like you were starving for oil, if your dozers pickup for the hydraulic oil is at the back of the tank like mine, I could see it sucking air at that steep of an incline. Maybe your fluid is a little bit lower now than before or this incline was just a little bit steeper??

[LeonardL]

Rusty,
You transmission is low on oil. This is why you are loosing power at a steep angle with the machine. Your transmission and hydraulic systems are separate from each other and have nothing to do with each other in respect to their individual operation. So, bringing the Hydraulic system oil level up will not do anything to help your transmission function properly. They each have their own oil and reservoirs. They each have their own check points. The transmission has a Dipstick / Fill port under the seat down on top of the transmission cover. I am sure you will find your transmission low on oil when you check it. Let us know what you find!!

[Rusty0007]

Rusty,
You transmission is low on oil. This is why you are loosing power at a steep angle with the machine. Your transmission and hydraulic systems are separate from each other and have nothing to do with each other in respect to their individual operation. So, bringing the Hydraulic system oil level up will not do anything to help your transmission function properly. They each have their own oil and reservoirs. They each have their own check points. The transmission has a Dipstick / Fill port under the seat down on top of the transmission cover. I am sure you will find your transmission low on oil when you check it. Let us know what you find!!

Duh! I bet you are right! I have no idea why I didn't think of that! Same fluid for tranny right? I'm using Universal Tractor Fluid from O' Reilieys btw. It meets JD's requirements. What do you use? Since a have a few minor leaks I keep it around all the time...lol.

[Tigerhaze]

Rusty, the 450E has the HLR transmission. Although the HLR will work using a universal tractor fluid (UTF) meeting the JD specs, many of the former Deere mechanics and commercial users on this board have recommended in previous posts spending the extra $$ for Deere Hy-Gard in the HLR.

They would have to explain the benefits they have seen but I respect their opinion enough to not take the chance using a UTF with an expensive transmission like the HLR. They have also mentioned that a UTF in the loader hydraulic system is just fine, so they are not saying it just to promote a Deere product.

I personally have noticed a little bit smoother shifting with the Hy-Gard instead of a UTF, when I have used UTF in emergency situations in the HLR.

[Rusty0007]

Rusty, the 450E has the HLR transmission. Although the HLR will work using a universal tractor fluid (UTF) meeting the JD specs, many of the former Deere mechanics and commercial users on this board have recommended in previous posts spending the extra $$ for Deere Hy-Gard in the HLR.

They would have to explain the benefits they have seen but I respect their opinion enough to not take the chance using a UTF with an expensive transmission like the HLR. They have also mentioned that a UTF in the loader hydraulic system is just fine, so they are not saying it just to promote a Deere product.

I personally have noticed a little bit smoother shifting with the Hy-Gard instead of a UTF, when I have used UTF in emergency situations in the HLR.

Great advice. I wasn't using UTF to be cheap, its not really that much cheaper. It was mainly because the JD dealer is quite a ways from me and I really didn't want to make the trip. hehe. Anyway, I guess I probably should just bite the bullet and make the drive. Thanks.

[LeonardL]

I have always used any good, well known, "Name Brand" UTF fluids or machine lubricants in general. Mostly Valvoline products such as their "Uni-trac Fluid. I use them mainly because of availability. I also use NAPA lubricants and again it's because they are local. Deere will never admit this but their oil is really no different than any of the good oils on the market. They will try and make you believe they put different additives in and claim they have this exclusive formula that no one else has. Maybe they do but all I have ever seen is the difference I've found in colors. Most of their oil comes from the same venders as NAPA or any of the big name parts stores. I've also used Phillips, Conoco, Sunoco, JD Streat and others and all have performed just as well as the Deere products. I will say that if you have a new machine and it is under warranty, then you need to use the Deere products so they can't give you a problem over the oil you are using. I'm not saying not to use their products! Because you can watch Deeres prices and a lot of times they are cheaper than some of the others. They do try to stay somewhat competitive. I know our local Dealers both Ag and Industrial will have specials the same as any other store. In that case I will use their products.
So, for me personally I just stay with a good name brand oil, it may very well be a Deere product but I don't worry too much about whether it has Deeres name on it or not. I know others on this forum have recommended you stay with the Deere products and that is great for them. All I'm saying is, I've never had any issue with the differing brands. The biggest issue is having the right type of oil in the different components. Your machine couldn't care less what name the oil is, but it does care if it is the wrong type! It will tell you pretty quick and not in a good way either!!
The only oil or fluid related issues I've seen have all been from either having the wrong type of oil or the lack of having oil or the oil that was in the machine was contaminated in someway. As long as you keep the right type and good clean fluids at their proper and levels then you should be okay. Have regular service intervals and maintain your machine. This is the real key to keeping a machine running.

[Rusty0007]

I have always used any good, well known, "Name Brand" UTF fluids or machine lubricants in general. Mostly Valvoline products such as their "Uni-trac Fluid. I use them mainly because of availability. I also use NAPA lubricants and again it's because they are local. Deere will never admit this but their oil is really no different than any of the good oils on the market. They will try and make you believe they put different additives in and claim they have this exclusive formula that no one else has. Maybe they do but all I have ever seen is the difference I've found in colors. Most of their oil comes from the same venders as NAPA or any of the big name parts stores. I've also used Phillips, Conoco, Sunoco, JD Streat and others and all have performed just as well as the Deere products. I will say that if you have a new machine and it is under warranty, then you need to use the Deere products so they can't give you a problem over the oil you are using. I'm not saying not to use their products! Because you can watch Deeres prices and a lot of times they are cheaper than some of the others. They do try to stay somewhat competitive. I know our local Dealers both Ag and Industrial will have specials the same as any other store. In that case I will use their products.
So, for me personally I just stay with a good name brand oil, it may very well be a Deere product but I don't worry too much about whether it has Deeres name on it or not. I know others on this forum have recommended you stay with the Deere products and that is great for them. All I'm saying is, I've never had any issue with the differing brands. The biggest issue is having the right type of oil in the different components. Your machine couldn't care less what name the oil is, but it does care if it is the wrong type! It will tell you pretty quick and not in a good way either!!
The only oil or fluid related issues I've seen have all been from either having the wrong type of oil or the lack of having oil or the oil that was in the machine was contaminated in someway. As long as you keep the right type and good clean fluids at their proper and levels then you should be okay. Have regular service intervals and maintain your machine. This is the real key to keeping a machine running.

Thanks Leonard, I just got back from buying some Hy-guard from my JD dealer. Umm, its quite spendy to say the least. I bought 2.5 gallons and it was 44 bucks! The 5 gallon bucket from JD was 85 dollars. Thats pretty crazy. I think I got that UTF from O' Rileys for 32-36 dollars for a 5 gallon bucket. heh. I obviously have a leak I need to track down somehow as I checked the trans fluid within the last 10 hours of operation. Since I was working a pretty steep angle when I had the issue I'm guessing that its a gallon or two low. I'll check and see...but my point is that until I track down that leak it's going to get pricey using Hy-guard. Depending if its a seal that is really hard to replace or just a hose, it may stay a leak for a while! I've noticed a spot of hydro fluid on the grass near the right rear. I'm assuming thats it. No tellin' what it is or how hard its going to be to address.