KevinCase444

My 1974 Case 444 is weak/slow in drive power. Engine is freshly rebuilt by a real pro... no change in drive power. Original owner guide said I should have 2,000 psi in hydraulics. I bought a gage. Put in fresh 5W-20 oil per Case manual (I only use this to blow snow). The gage reads zero in both low and high range.... I don't get it.... thought I'd see at least a few hundred pounds of pressure given the 2,000 spec. The tractor moves, just slowly. To be clear, 'slow' means it moves at a couple of miles per hour with me seated on tractor. Snow caster works great since it runs off of engine belt.

Can anyone please provide diagnostic advice? I really need the forum's expertise to get to root cause before throwing parts at the tractor. Is it a worn-out hyd pump or a worn-out hyd motor on rear differential???

Thanks a bunch.
Kevin in Milford Michigan

freedhardwoods

I would say the 5w-20 is the problem. Everything i have read says to use 20w-40 although some use 15w-40 because it is more common.

KevinCase444

Thank you for the reply Freedhardwoods.

I used to run straight 30W, and just drained out fresh 10W-30. All behave the same. Thanks again for the reply. Very much appreciated.