955L converter fluid loss - flows into trans, over

I have a 955L serial 71J4525 that I've had for about 5 years. I used it 40-50 hours when I first got it, and then one day it wouldn't move. I found the trans / torque converter oil low, so I added and the problem appeared solved. The machine was used infrequently over the next several years, maybe 100 hours total, and oil was added on several occasions to the converter. Temp always remained low. Then, after the machine would sit, I noticed black oil running out over the counter weights - it seemed be bubbling up from somewhere in the trans area on the right side of the unit and flowing back out the rear. Checking fill levels, the trans / converter oil seems to be making it's way into the trans / steering clutches and over filling it. The situation has gotten much worse, and it now will go through 5 gals of oil in 10-15 mins of operation. I've seen earlier posts from 2004 on a 955K with perhaps similar symtops and advice was given to clean some trans filters. I've got the floor pans pulled up in the cab, can someone walk me through what to look for? What plates on the trans / pumps should I be pulling off to get to the screen / filters? Other ideas on this problem? Also, the oil in the converter got dirty, doesn't look / smell burned, just contaiminated with dirty heavy oil from the clutches / trans? Thanks!

Thanks. I"ve had other priorities and finally got back around to the loader. I found the screen on the steering clutch case that bob described and cleaned the screens - it was pretty dirty but not 100% plugged. I found the tall pressure filter on top of the steering clutches and will get a replacement. I also clean the trans screens and magnets on the transmission sides. I also siphoned about 10 gals of dirty oil through a whole in the machine next to where the supports for the operator platform bolt onto the machine. I topped off the transfluid, siphoned some of the steering clutch oil out, and ran the machine back and forth through the gears maybe 100 feet. I topped off the trans oil and re-checked with machine idling. It was clear and clean. I let sit overnight - this morning I recheck with it cold and off, and it is down on the stick - I expect with it running it would be even lower. I used 303 tractor transmission fluid in the trans. Is this ok? Or should I be using straight 30 weight engine oil? Is there a major seal that is just gone somewhere that the oil feeds into the steering case? Do I have some cracked casting / steering clutch case that is dumping all this oil into the bottom of the machine? If so, you"d think it would drain the steering clutch case, but it seems to always be about double what you expect on the stick. Also, that particular dipstick is from a CASE - somebody lost the original - I just noticed. Maybe it"s too long and shows abnormally high?

Thanks for your help. The winter held other priorities for me, and now I've chased all the wasps out of my loader and started working on it. I found the suction screen under the cover bob describes, and cleaned it - it was fairly plugged with assorted trash. I also found the tall filter house on the pressure side and will get a new cartridge filter for that as hector described. I also found the screen and magnets on the transmission and cleaned them - they were in pretty good shape. I filled up the trans, and drove the machine back and forth, going through all the gears, topped off the level and rechecked. I let the machine sit overnight and the transfluid was clear last night but now is slightly milky grey, and appears lower on the stick. Also, the steering clutch case oil level appears much higher again. Also, I siphoned about 10 gals of dirty oil out of the bottom of the machine around the steering clutch case. There is one large hole on either side of the machine where the supports for the operator platform bolt on. It was out of these holes, notably the right side one that I siphoned all the oil. So, I conclude that somehow all the oil I add to the transmission makes it's way into the steering clutches, and then overflows out somewhere down deep in the machine and collects until it is so full that it flows up out of that hole on the right side of the machine and runs out the back all over the counterweight. Do I have some cracked casting or transmission case? Also, probably a mistake (obviously) but I had been using tractor transmision oil - 303 in the trans / converter. Maybe that's too thin, and I need to put in straight 30 weight as some others have posted? Would that help? What if I went to a heavier oil - 80/90? Would that damage the converter or the trans?

Thanks - see above - I posted update, but replied to myself.

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