Pump issues Looking for ideas 1982 1835 gas Fix or move on

[Autowizzard]

I bought this machine with the intention of using it for a summer and not caring what happened to it from there as it was a great deal. 3 years later still works and I just bought a property that's going to need a lot of Skidsteer help. The machine is a 1982 Gas 1835 pretty rare from my findings. Great runner been a awesome machine considering it's age. When I bought it the previous owner took it in and told it needed pump work 6K time to sell it. I bought it filled up it's fluids and have been using it for 3 years. It works but leaks pretty heavy from what looks like the tandem pump? Has always had lots of noise from pump(s) but I kept it full and always figured the price was right and it still moved. Still works but right side has gotten slower than left, Leaks worse (no hose leaks) and Noise is worse so I am pretty sure it's beyond time to fix Most of the noise seems to come from driving the machine especially with a full bucket. I have used many machines and know this is excessive. I fix cars so I am limited to these machines but I am thinking the tandem pump Is the main player here and probabily where to think it's the area needing work. Called a few rebuilders and estimates range from 1500 to 2500 for rebuild. Ideas? Thanks in advance and if any of you have car questions please let me return the favor.

 

[Tazza]

I'd pull the pumps out and assess the wear.
The innards of the pump isn't that complex really. There will be a rotating group that runs on a wear plate. The wear plate wears and the oil by-passes, this is the most common cause of lower drive power and noise.
If your pump has wear plates that can be replaced, you can some times use a sheet of glass and wet and dry sand paper to get the face flat again. If they are really bad, loader parts source can generally get you the parts you need cheaper than the dealer.