184 Control Valve Debris Contamination

[wrink3]

I took the 184 control valve apart. The 3 pt lift (don't have a belly mower) had suddenly progressed from a slow overnight leak down to it wouldn't stay up. The information and pics posted by Landreo in March 2018 were a much bigger help than any of the manuals--THANKS.
All of the stuff in pic was in the pilot valve openings and in the pilot valve/output passage. I have not idea what any of it is. It appears to be a light colored plastic material and kinda stiff. Anyone have any idea what it is and how it got thru the filter and pump and got there? The lift works fine now and I guess life will continue until the rest of the material causes another problem. I looked but there was no more of it in the valve assembly.

[Bob McCarty]

My guess would be some kind of gasket maker or sealer that was in a place where it bypassed the screen. I don't think I've seen orange before though.

[Eugene]

Wouldn't have gone through the pump or filter. Had to be from after the pump and prior to the control valve. Filter is at the end of the hydraulic circuit, filters fluid returning to the reservoir. That leaves a lot of seals and fittings, including hydraulic cylinder seals.

I would keep an eye on the hydraulics looking for leaks.

Edit. Permatex High Temp Orange Rtv Silicone Gasket Maker - 3 oz

[BigBill]

Check around the cylinder and the hoses/ fittings for this orange silicone.

[Steve Butram]

its possible it could be the cylinder packing. Not likely that passed thru the pump and filter as large as it is. Change out the filter,cut it open and see what is in there.

[wrink3]

Thanks for the ideas. I didn't find anything in the filter. There were no previous external leaks and I'll keep an eye open for them. I also thought/think that the stuff was RTV gasket material. I've checked and can no leaks or any external signs of any of the stuff. A previous owner might have slopped some inside a differential gasket I guess. I will pull the back cover and peek in when I pull everything off the rear to do the brakes later this spring. I was already planning on changing the flexible hydraulic hoses to the rear and changing the lift cylinder with a rebuilt one I already have then. I'll look in the lift cylinder also when I rebuild it later.
Spin-on filters are a messy pain to open up. Is there an easy way to do it? Thanks again All.

[BigBill]

There’s no oil pressure in the spin on filter when it’s not running. I believe the spin on filter is on the return line that drains into the tranny. Of course give it time to drain down once it’s shut off.

[Steve Butram]

Spin-on filters are a messy pain to open up. Is there an easy way to do it? Thanks again All.

I use my band saw set up for metal

[Gary Dotson]

If you have a large enough pipe cutter, cut the filter right next to the crimp. It's not too messy, if you hold the filter vertical in a vice. It can also be done with a cut-off wheel in a hand grinder.