Help! Work crew here...BX wont budge!

SrChf · Jul 24, 2011

Putting in a flagstone walk to my wife's new Photography studio this weekend. I got hourly paid guys here and I am using my FEL and box blade to carve out the rough walkway trench. Got about 1/4 of the thing done and the BX25 tranny started acting up. Bout to have a work stoppage situation getting me behind the deadline on this walkway (wifes grand opening of her new photog studio on our property). Help!?

First symptom was when I mashed the reverse pedal it felt like there was a rock stuck in it. It felt stuck and it wouldn't go down. I pushed forward and it responded but felt 'sluggish'. I got it up out of the trench and then the reverse started working again, but very sluggish like it was only getting a little hydro. Then it wouldn't go backward or forward. I took it out of 4WD and it would go forward but not backward, then that trick stopped working. Now the pedals freely press forward and back but the tractor doesn't budge. My other hydro instruments seem to be working fine.

Operator error or am i broken? My dealer is closed today else I would call. Can anyone help me? Naturally, I am hoping its something simple. Tractor has just over 100 hours on it.

thank you!

Deano · Jul 24, 2011

Get under your tractor and check for damage from a rock. Almost sounds like something was wedged and then from working it with you foot, maybe linkage was damaged and now moves freely.

SrChf · Jul 24, 2011

Deano said:
Get under your tractor and check for damage from a rock. Almost sounds like something was wedged and then from working it with you foot, maybe linkage was damaged and now moves freely.

I did look under it, but really not sure what i am looking for. I didnt see anything obvious. Nothing wedged into the rocker pedal that I can see.

Deano · Jul 24, 2011

When you are under there, have someone work the pedal. See if you can trace it to where it enters the transmission. If it enters the transmission and is moving, it is internal. If the linkage doesn't make it to the tarnny, something is broke.

SrChf · Jul 24, 2011

It feels 'connected' when I push it back and forth. I looked under it while someone rocked it, best I can tell, the linkages go into the tranny.

So - my thought is, it loses a little hydro fluid everytime you disconect an implement - perhaps it is low on fluid but here is enough there to make the implements work but not the unit? Maybe it is tempermental that way on low fluid? Just a thought. To make matters worse, I cannot find my manual, and it looks like Kubota doesnt publish their pdf's online for download. I dont even know how or where to check the hydro level.

Kayakin2 · Jul 24, 2011

Shift into neutral and confirm you can move/roll it. Shift to high gear (rabbit) and low gear (turtle) and try forward and reverse. Confirm fluids, including front axel are at proper levels.

Bota4me · Jul 24, 2011

Wow, as an owner of a new bx25 i hope its nothing serious.
I can tell you that you check it in very rear of tractor, yellow dipstick. Good luck. I hope kubotas quality isnt slipping from the posts i have seen lately...

Deano · Jul 24, 2011

The dipstick is on the back of the tarctor to the right of the PTO gaurd. I disconnect my lines all the time, and never made the level low. But, that is where to check it!

Kayakin2 · Jul 24, 2011

Hydro is in back (yellow cap) and front axel is on axel assy. Manual is under seat in black pouch.

Bota4me · Jul 24, 2011

I agree w deano. My levels havent moved at all in 25 hours of disconnects fel bh etc!
Man i hope this isnt the hydro pump!!!!

SrChf · Jul 24, 2011

Kayakin2 said:
Hydro is in back (yellow cap) and front axel is on axel assy. Manual is under seat in black pouch.

lol. yes, it was there at one time. To keep it out of the rain I brought it in - wife cleaned the house, haven't seen it since.

SrChf · Jul 24, 2011

Ok, just checked the rear hydro dipstick - it reads at 1/2 between the waffle markings.

Front hydro cap (man that sumbi#%h is hard to get off) shows just a little bit on the tip.

so - those of you who's wives didnt 'put away' their manuals, what am I shooting for on levels here?

Also - on a Sunday, how would I get fluid to top these off if needed. Does it take something special or can I get what I need at a pep boys or something.

Kayakin2 · Jul 24, 2011

How does it react in neutral? vs low gear? any movement now forward or reverse?

Kayakin2 · Jul 24, 2011

Hydro sounds ok, front axel needs topping off but not current problem if it is in 2 wheel drive. Did anyone depress the lever at foot level (back of foot well) to try to lock both right and left tires together?

SrChf · Jul 24, 2011

Kayakin2 said:
How does it react in neutral? vs low gear? any movement now forward or reverse?

I put it in neutral and I can push it - it rolls freely, engine off or on and makes a 'grindy' clicking sound. In Low or High, when pushed, it moves and has a higher pitched click. Should I be able to roll it when in gear?

Just double checked, the front hydro shows bone dry and the rear dipstick shows is 1/2 way up the waffle cris-cross area.

SrChf · Jul 24, 2011

Kayakin2 said:
Did anyone depress the lever at foot level (back of foot well) to try to lock both right and left tires together?

Are you talking about the little switch on the left rear side of the drivers cabin with a symbol of a lock beween two gears? (I dont know what that does) I tried messing with that...up, down...while trying to go forward or back. causes no change in either position.

Kayakin2 · Jul 24, 2011

Front axel is not Hydo just axel lube. In 2 wheel mode it should not be an issue.
I am going to my BX25 to try options/get manual out from under seat.

timswi · Jul 24, 2011

SrChf said:
I put it in neutral and I can push it - it rolls freely, engine off or on and makes a 'grindy' clicking sound. In Low or High, when pushed, it moves and has a higher pitched click. Should I be able to roll it when in gear?

Just double checked, the front hydro shows bone dry and the rear dipstick shows is 1/2 way up the waffle cris-cross area.

I believe they will roll when in gear with the engine off...Should be difficult to move when running and in gear....Make sure that your range control is engaging..Same as the hydro control..Make sure that it has complete movement. None of the fluid levels that you describe should cause the problem you're describing....

Drive shafts are OK i'm assuming...You'd probably have to really do something to mess up one of them.

As far as the fluid, it's probably UDT or Super UDT in both cases...I wouldn't dilute that with anything else.

Kayakin2 · Jul 24, 2011

SrChf said:
Are you talking about the little switch on the left rear side of the drivers cabin with a symbol of a lock beween two gears? (I dont know what that does) I tried messing with that...up, down...while trying to go forward or back. causes no change in either position.

Yes, that locks the front & rear wheels together but if used improperly it can cause problems you describe and must be fixed by the dealer. It stops spinning of one rear tire while the other has traction but should never be engaged while turning.