Power Steering Hose Failure

[k8ny]

Well, well. Been quite a while since I've been on this forum.
Just had my BX 2200 power steering hose fail for the first time. Was not aware that this was a problem until I noticed hydraulic fluid leaking down from the engine compartment (actually it was the hoses passing near the compartment).
After a long examination I located the leak source (just as the hose is bending outside the battery compartment).
Spoke to the first Kubota dealer- he said it was a common problem on most BX 2200's. He explained that the quality of the hose was not the best and that excess heat and pressure caused by long max steering input as well as the hydraulic control lever not returning to neutral after raising or lowering deck contributes to the failure. At any rate, whatever the cause, mine is leaking fairly heavily.
After doing a search here on the forum, I discovered an interesting fact some member posted. In the BX 2200 Operator's Manual, under the Maintenance section, it states that the Power Steering hoses need to be replaced every 2 years. Interesting. I am not a hydraulic expert but this sounds way premature for replacing hoses.
Anyway, the dealer tells me this is a time consuming job as ROPS, tank and other assemblies need to be removed in order to replace hoses.
My first dealer quoted $460.00 including 6 hours labor. The second dealer quoted $340.00 including labor.
BTW mine is a 2001 BX with 520 hours.
Would be interested if members with newer model BX's have the same Maintenance requirements in their Operator's Manual.
Thanks - Bob

 

[milkman]

On my 2001 BX2200, my first steering hose leak was the one that comes from the rear to the controller under the dash. I replaced both of the ones that go to the rear at that time, kinda tight to get at under the dash. A while later one of the hoses that run from the controller to the front steering cylinder started leaking where it comes out of the firewall next to the radiator, I replaced both of these hoses and haven't had a problem since and that was more than two years ago. I suspect if you replace them with quality hoses, you won't have to do it again for a long time, hydraulic hoses should last for many years.

 

[Will_C]

I would have the dealer replace all four hoses while your tractor is for service. I replaced the front two in 2005 and the rear two in 2006 on the 2000 BX 2200 that I traded in earlier this month.
Will

 

[ibnxe]

Your post got me curious, so I opened my owners manual and found that Kubota suggests changing out the steering hoses at two years on my tractor too. Mine is a BX23 with about 330 hours on it. There haven't been any leaks yet and it is going on 4+ years. I think I will wait till it starts to leak. Tomorrow, when it is light out, I'll give it a good look over.

 

[skipperbrown]

$340???? Good grief. The hoses are about $15 or $20 each. I've replaced all of them on my bx2200. I replaced one and then another went and I replaced the other 3 b/c this isn't something you want to keep doing. If you have a set of wrenches and 2 hrs and don't mind 3 busted knuckles, you can do this job yourself. Once you get the mower deck and dash off, it goes pretty quick w/ a few cuss words. I'd take the hoses to a hose shop and get their premium hose custom made to fit.

Now I have the dreaded steering drift at 500 hours and will be buying the steering rebuild kit.

 

[J_J]

k8ny.


If the hose is leaking at a spot that you can get to, why not cut out the section that is leaking and splice in a new section with screw on fittings. Beats the heck out of $460, and $340. If it is leaking at a fitting, purchase the hose and screw fittings and do your own work. Don't give your money away if you have the capability and know how.

 

[GardenFence]

Saw your April 2009 postings. Any update? I seem to have the same problem on my BX2200, starting from up near the radiator or steering column somewhere. Think the leak is from the hose(s) inside the fabric wrap. I'm interested to know if I should attempt the hose change myself. I am fairly new to this, but not afraid to try if its not too difficult.

 

[Egon]

Not being familiar with the layout I would suggest replacing all the hoses in that hard to get at place. As suggested get premium hoses made for the replacement.

Any chance of revising the piping a little to make it easier to work on.

Blew a loader hose on the tractor several days ago. Fortunately it was the curl function so I could load the tractor and take it home. It failed due to abrasion. Replacement was forty dollars with a much heavier hose. The abrasion item has also been fixed.

 

[pdowling1]

As SkipperBrown said, it just takes a little time to change them. Replace all 4 hoses unless you the job and don't mind losing your SUDT repeatedly. Forget about trying to get the bad one patched, they are low quality to start with.

 

[KPotts]

We've done all 4 and agree a cuss word or two will slip out, and be sure and wear gloves. I used Kubota hoses on the back and had the front made locally. The mistake I made was not having them put the protective sleeve back on the front hoses when they were made. The ends were larger than the Kubota hoses and the sleeve would not go on. It was harder than I thought to find the larger size of protective sleeve. Other than that it just took time and patience.

 

[J_J]

You could have used the spiral wrap. You don't have to disconnect hose to install the wrap.

 

[stuge123]

I am looking to change all four hoses on my BX22. I noticed a significant puddle under my tractor when I pulled it out last time so I tracked the leak down to the steering hoses (the protective covering on the hoses is SOAKED at the bottom right before the 2 hoses turn under the bottom and go to the rear of the tractor). My question is can I order all four hoses from Kubota or should I have some better ones made up at a hydraulic shop? Probably just one hose is leaking but might as well change em all while I got it apart right? Those of you that have already done this, I would GREATLY appreciate any insight/heads-up/info that I should know before trying to tackle this job. Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[J_J]

Unless the hoses are brittle and cracked, there is no need to change out all hoses, because maybe only one is leaking, or the fitting is leaking. The fitting just might need tightening. If you just have to change them, mark which hose belongs where. and get exact replacement, or better.

 

[Volfandt]

stuge123, JJ is giving good advice except when it cmes to BX's you might as well replace them all while your at it. If you do a forum search on BX hydraulic hoses you'll soon see why. Theres been far too many to post that when they only replaced one it wasn't long for the others to start breaking down. While it's always prudent to double check for loose fittings, the vast majority of the time it's the lines that are the cause of the leak in the BX's Even the manual calls for inspection/replacement every 2 yrs.
The consensus is that one can get better lines made up cheaper than replacing them w/OEM.
Take many pics before you remove them and take them down to the hydraulic shop so they can match them up. Theres many bends and curves in these lines and getting them as close to the OEM shape as possible will make reinstall much easier.
Good luck
Dave

 

[jim442]

Just an FYI, You can't tell the condition of a hose by the exterior. The only reason a hose has a cover is to protect the reinforcement (wire) and the tube. I have seen many hoses with cracked brittle and worn away covers that lasted for years. Buy a GOOD brand of hose like Aeroquip or Parker, most of the inexpensive (el cheapo) hose comes from China or India and is junk. True, many of the major brands make hose there too but under strict oversite. Most rubber hose is to be used under 211 degrees F so an under hood hose can be baked easily and could fail prematurely. The major brands have hose that will go to 300 degrees and is worth considering for longer life. Aeroquip has just extended the temp and pressure ratings on their hoses and they have been my first choice for a quality hose. Life of a properly spec'd assembly should easily go 10 years of homeowner use. Check out the Aeroquip GH663, GH781 or . Look at the temp ratings, working pressure and bend radius. Sad, but most of the OEM assemblies will have to be replaced in a couple years because most manufacturers don't believe consumers will spend an extra 100 bucks for quality that will last 10 plus years.

 

[jim442]

Post should read;
GH663, GH781 or FC194, and check pressure rating,working pressure and bend radius etc

 

[stuge123]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Does anybody know where I can order all four hoses online? I understand the specs to look for in a quality hose, but I dont know which brands are better, what kind of fittings to tell them to put on, the length for each, etc. Is there a "kubota power steering upgrade hose" available somewhere that you guys know of? Again, thanks for the help. I cant afford to pay the local tractor place to do this, and by doing it myself I know im gonna do it right.

 

[dieselbeef]

find a local hose and hydraulics or good year dealer for construction eqpt and have them amake ya cpl hoses for 50 or so ea. install is easy. the factory hoses suck. any hyd hose shop can refit ya with good hoses that will last the life of the machine

 

[cup149]

messicks.com

Thanks everyone for the replies. Does anybody know where I can order all four hoses online? I understand the specs to look for in a quality hose, but I dont know which brands are better, what kind of fittings to tell them to put on, the length for each, etc. Is there a "kubota power steering upgrade hose" available somewhere that you guys know of? Again, thanks for the help. I cant afford to pay the local tractor place to do this, and by doing it myself I know im gonna do it right.

 

[rdsaustintx]

find a local hose and hydraulics or good year dealer for construction eqpt and have them amake ya cpl hoses for 50 or so ea. install is easy. the factory hoses suck. any hyd hose shop can refit ya with good hoses that will last the life of the machine

x2 Just find a friendly local hydraulics shop, bring in the old hoses and tell them you want good stuff. Last time I had one fabbed, they used Parker hose with fittings beefier than the stock part. Took $20 and 15 minutes.