JD 3325 winch (fixed)

[tjdub]

Thanks for all the help on this jdemaris. I finally got my old winch to freespool.

I was planning on pulling the pump, but when I pulled the cover off the bottom I was surprised to find that the input screen was plugged with junk (again!). All of this gunk must have been living in the hydraulic system and got pushed out after I cleaned the filter off last time. Anyway, it's pushing a perfect 1000psi in freespool position now.

Even after finding the input screen plugged, I was going to pull the pump to inspect it until I realized that I had no clue how I was going to get the top 2 bolts off that secure it to the winch housing. How on earth are you supposed to get at those? I have a service manual for the dozer, and it seems to assume you can get them all from underneath, but I don't see how that's possible.

 

[JDemaris]

We used to find many of them with blocked intake screens covered with "snot." I've also installed a few new pumps but really cannot remember how difficult it was. I DO know it was out in the woods and not in the shop.

Usually, if they don't free-spool at all, that screen is plugged. If they only free-spool when you rev the engine way up, it's often a worn-out pump.

 

[tjdub]

"snot" is a perfect term for what was plugging my intake screen.

It must be possible to get those top bolts with some type of low profile u-joint socket and an additional swivel. I imagine getting those two bolts started when re-installing would be an even worse adventure than getting them off Hopefully I don't have to find out any time soon.

 

[JDemaris]

When you work as a field mechanic on Deere equipment, you've alway got a bunch of altered, cut, bent, welded, etc. wrenches for the many near-impossible to get to bolts Deere has. Changing that rotary winch valve on the back of the winch is no treat either.