49 8N hydraulic leak continues, argh!

Will it hold a load for five minunte? If it will then it is good to go for any practicle reason.

If it leaks down as soon as the clutch is released then it needs help.

Have you replaced the relief valve? This is the thing that causes most leakdowns. Don't try to fix it. Buy a new one. Fixing it may cause the pump housing to break.

Which was my next thing to look at.

The only way I have found to find out if you have a broken or cracked pump housing is to remove the pump, Tap the outlet hole from the pump to differential housing to accept a 1/4" pipe thread. Then adapt a grease gun to the hole and while holding the control valve in full up position pump the grease gun. The grease should come out only at the opening of the relief valve. If it comes out somewhere inside the pump that you can't quiet see or figure out where it is leaking then you more than likely have a cracked pump housing and unless you can see how to get to it and have a competent aluminum welder close the crack you are ready for a pump housing.

Zane

The way I check the relief valve is to run the pump and stick my finger over the end of the relief valve. If it is leaking you will not be able to press you finger against the end of it and it will feel sorta like it is on a cushion of air (oil) if the valve is leaking.

Be sure that you know where the relief valve is located before you ever start the tractor so you won't go and stick you finger in the moving parts of the pump and come up with a nub.

Zane

Or could the tube itself or housing around it be cracked?

It'd be easy to check at the same time as you do Zane's suggested troubleshooting.

Did you replace the hyd piston in a used (or the original) cylinder? If so, maybe it needs to be honed or replace the cylinder.

hth

Mountainman...CA