Case 580sk forward/reverse problem

Greetings.
When I start the machine cold it engages forward and reverse no problem. After the machine has been working for some time and is hot and I switch off for a short period then when I start up again it will not engage either forward or reverse. I if I switch off and wait for say 20 seconds and restart the machine (doing this a few times) it will eventually engage forward and reverse again and continue to operate normally until I switch off again. Once I switch off again the problem may or may not occur again and then the same procedure is needed to restore forward and reverse again. The forward/reverse lever is moving into position correctly but no drive. I have checked the clutch buttons on the gear selector and bucket lever and see nothing wrong there.
Can anyone suggest what may be causing this?

Unplug your declutch solenoid on top of the transaxle, beside the fwd/rev valve. It is probably not the problem, but it will eliminate everything electrical. You don't want to pull the transaxle and then find it's a wire.

mitch504 said:

Unplug your declutch solenoid on top of the transaxle, beside the fwd/rev valve. It is probably not the problem, but it will eliminate everything electrical. You don't want to pull the transaxle and then find it's a wire.

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Hi. Will give that a shot. I cant imagine it's a fault in the transaxle. Could a failing torque converter be a cause of this? Or possibly an air lock developing between the oil pump and the fwd/rev valve when it is hot and the oil is thinner?

It does sound very much like a pump problem.
Be sure all the hose clamps are tight on the suction hoses coming from the transaxle to the converter housing.
Take a good look at the steel tube in the suction line - I have seen them wear through by rubbing against the chassis.

If all the suction side is OK, I would consider replacing the charge pump.

Mike, check the big suction run from the transmission housing to the torque converter housing, I have seen those elbows severely crushed and wondered how oil could even get through, Also behind the big elbow tube at the transmission there is a suction strainer it would be a good idea to check.

Thankyou guys. I will check all of these suggestions and bring some feedback soon.

Has the filter and oil been replaced when it should of been? I was just thinking the basics before throwing a pump at it. Make sure oil is of good quality and full, then try a new filter on the torque converter

dixon700 said:

Has the filter and oil been replaced when it should of been? I was just thinking the basics before throwing a pump at it. Make sure oil is of good quality and full, then try a new filter on the torque converter

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Hi.
I will check the date on the filter as I always etch the date on it when I change it and I would have done the oil simultaneously.

Thankyou