Removing the loader on my 1500D

[chuckyp-HT]

Well, after using the tractor for a few hours to help a buddy move some gravel, I'm having a whole host of problems.
Both front axle seals are leaking (including one I just replaced), the steering box is leaking, the engine is leaking oil more than before it seems, and the throwout bearing is squealing whenever I push in the clutch.
Not really happy with this thing at all so far because it seems like I'll be spending more hours fixing it than using it.

So... Figured I would start with the steering box. Sounded easy enough. Took it out and took it apart today. Nothing horribly scary in there but it was leaking from around the oil seal so I'll need a new one of those. One of the shaft bearings is kinda rusty too so I'll try to replace that too if I can get the damn race off. Otherwise it's just going to have to go back together as-is with only a new oil seal. Yes I read the steering rebuild instructions on the website where it says to pry the race out with a screwdriver, but there's really nothing too substantial to pry against and the screwdriver just slides right off. Anyhow...

When I got the steering box off, I looked down into the housing where the drive shaft and pressure plate and whatnot are. The drive shaft looks nice, but most everything else looks like it was salvaged from a sunken ship at some point. No wonder the throwout bearing isn't happy.

To my original point, it looks like I will attempt to split the tractor to replace the bearing (and probably some other rusty parts I'm sure). Maybe even the rear main seal on the engine if that looks like it's leaking and if it is do-able. To get to that point though, I guess I am going to have to remove my loader, or at least unbolt the portion of the loader that bolts to the rear half of the tractor.

Does anyone have any tips for just how far to remove it to split the tractor? Or does the whole thing have to be removed completely, including the hydraulic connections?

Any tips would be appreciated because so far I'm just wasting time and money on this thing and getting very little work out of it. It's kind of fun to work on and I don't mind it to some degree, but I really got the tractor to put it to work, not to start a new hobby as a tractor mechanic! <E></E>

Thanks guys...

 

[Tyleroni-HT]

I'm no pro, but... I say take it off and get it the heck out of the way cus splitting the tractor is tough enough, never mind with a loader and it's frame wrapped all around you, lol

 

[alan-HT]

You can leave it on unless the rear-most FEL mounting-point is aft of the tractor-split point. If you do, you can first load the bucket with sand or gravel so that when lowered it helps stabilize the front half.

 

[chuckyp-HT]

Yeah the rear-most mount is behind the split point so I think I have to remove it. It also prevents me from taking off the steel channel that goes around the front drive shaft.

Any special considerations for disconnecting the hydraulic lines at the pump?

 

[alan-HT]

You could get a set a set of plastic hydraulic-line plugs for your size hose and plug both ends after disconnection.