MY 2012 5740 HSTC HAS AN OIL LEAK

KOLBRNR · Sep 25, 2015

I have oil dripping out of the split pin plug for the clutch housing. How can oil get it in there. I did have it over filled a bit ago and it was pumping oil out from somewhere. I have run the tractor since but today I put a few hours bush cutting. When I came out after paying for my fuel I saw a small puddle under the tractor and low and behold it was coming from my tractor. Is it possible that it's coming from the rear seal?

930ck · Sep 26, 2015

Have read in past that there is a seal that starts to leak and fixing it requires the tractor to be split for repair using an updated seal.

TripleR · Sep 26, 2015

What 93ck said, my 5740 did this fairly early on and was covered under warranty. I think some other L40 Series models have experienced this, but mostly I hear about the 5740.

split pin plug leak - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

930ck · Sep 26, 2015

TripleR said:
What 93ck said, my 5740 did this fairly early on and was covered under warranty. I think some other L40 Series models have experienced this, but mostly I hear about the 5740. split pin plug leak - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

My 2012 5740 only has 140 hrs and out of warranty so hoping this is not real common.

KOLBRNR · Sep 26, 2015

TripleR said:
What 93ck said, my 5740 did this fairly early on and was covered under warranty. I think some other L40 Series models have experienced this, but mostly I hear about the 5740.

split pin plug leak - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota

I sure am frustrated with this tractor. I bought it in June and it's been back to the dealer 3 times already, this will be the forth time. I am really not liking the orange right now. This is my 3rd Kubota and it was to be my final tractor so to speak. I may have another one coming yet but will it be orange???
This is on page 2 of the above thread.

Your leak is from the seal that seals the shaft for the 4wd from the transmission. It may not leak bad now, but it will get worse. There's a circlip, sealing bushing, seal, spacer, bearing, and another sealing bushing. When you pull the shaft out, you'll lose the coupler that attaches the shaft to the transmission, and you'll have to fish that and the sealing bushing out of the transmission housing. On a 40 series, you will not be able to get the coupler out of the housing, so the trick is to get it on the end of the shaft, and attach it to the shaft in the transmission. It's a trick..... I've done a few....

Replace the bearing, both sealing bushings, and seal. I believe they leak because the 4wd is left engaged in conditions that don't require it, especially on hard surfaces, and that shaft actually flexs, taking the seal out over time

C4Ranch · Sep 26, 2015

So you admit to not maintaining it properly and you're upset with "orange"? Flame on.

KOLBRNR · Sep 27, 2015

C4Ranch said:
So you admit to not maintaining it properly and you're upset with "orange"? Flame on.

I came to this site for help which I have received. Albeit not from you. I don't see how your inflammatory comment is helpful or called for. It adds nothing to this site. I bought the tractor 3 months ago from the dealer with 530 hours on it. Really now how much can I not maintain the tractor in the 40 hours that I've put on it.

Monday I will go back to the dealer for the 4th time. Thanks to all the others for the insight as to where the oil is coming from. I don't see how the leaking seal is due to lack of maintenance from me.

kcender · Sep 27, 2015

Are you sure it is engine oil? The reason I ask is that my L45,which has a lot in common with the Lxx40 series,started leaking out this pin with only 30 hours on it.It turned out to be a leaking seal in the front axle.The front drive shaft has a metal tube over it for protection.When the seal leaks the axle fluid runs down this tube and leaks out the pin in the transmission housing.I am not saying this is your problem but it is something to consider.

KOLBRNR · Sep 27, 2015

kcender said:
Are you sure it is engine oil? The reason I ask is that my L45,which has a lot in common with the Lxx40 series,started leaking out this pin with only 30 hours on it.It turned out to be a leaking seal in the front axle.The front drive shaft has a metal tube over it for protection.When the seal leaks the axle fluid runs down this tube and leaks out the pin in the transmission housing.I am not saying this is your problem but it is something to consider.

I think it may be exactly that. The oil isn't black like the engine oil, it is lighter in color. How big of a job is that to fix?

TripleR · Sep 27, 2015

kcender said:
Are you sure it is engine oil? The reason I ask is that my L45,which has a lot in common with the Lxx40 series,started leaking out this pin with only 30 hours on it.It turned out to be a leaking seal in the front axle.The front drive shaft has a metal tube over it for protection.When the seal leaks the axle fluid runs down this tube and leaks out the pin in the transmission housing.I am not saying this is your problem but it is something to consider.

My shop foreman thought the same for mine as the oil was light in color and while he had encountered the front axle seal, he had never had to replace the transmission seal. While he had it apart he replaced the other seal as well as he said there was an improved seal available.

I've had several Kubotas and have only had an issue with this one. It seems to me that while not common, these failures occur more often than they should and it seems Kubota would replace these parts beyond warranty.

KOLBRNR · Sep 27, 2015

Thanks TripleR. Do you remember if they had to split the tractor on this repair. Just trying to figure if I should repair it or just move on to another tractor.

TripleR · Sep 27, 2015

KOLBRNR said:
I sure am frustrated with this tractor. I bought it in June and it's been back to the dealer 3 times already, this will be the forth time. I am really not liking the orange right now. This is my 3rd Kubota and it was to be my final tractor so to speak. I may have another one coming yet but will it be orange???

I can certainly understand your frustration, but I wouldn't give up on any brand over an incident like this. We had a John Deere 2305 that spent about as much time in the shop as on the farm, but when a 300 gallon fuel tank fell on it, we replaced it with a new JD 1025R, Kubota, John Deere, Kioti etc. make good machines, but I've seen problems on all of them.

Just a thought as I'm not brand loyal and I'm not sure what my next tractor would be if I ever need another.

KOLBRNR · Sep 27, 2015

I understand. I really like the tractor and it's great in a lot of areas. I feel the dealer didn't go over it well when it was traded in. Although they wouldn't have been able to help in this issue but they would have in the other 3.
Do you remember if they had to split your tractor or not?
Could they just remeve the front axel?

TripleR · Sep 27, 2015

KOLBRNR said:
Thanks TripleR. Do you remember if they had to split the tractor on this repair. Just trying to figure if I should repair it or just move on to another tractor.

Yes they did. I was lucky enough to have a great shop foreman who felt there should be a better way than the WSM which required the cab to be removed. While it didn't save me any money, it saved me time. You might want to look for a good independent tractor mechanic as it should not be beyond their ability and will be cheaper. If mine ever goes out again, I'll have my brother fix it, nothing magical about them and as mentioned my shop had to figure it out as they went too.

If it is just the axle seal, it won't need to be split.

I hope it works out for you and if it helps, I've never heard of the repaired seal going out.

KOLBRNR · Sep 27, 2015

So they split yours because of the transmission seal?
The axel seal they don't need to split it?

I don't have anybody around here that can do this for me that I know of. I also don't have a garage to put it in.

TripleR · Sep 27, 2015

KOLBRNR said:
So they split yours because of the transmission seal?
The axle seal they don't need to split it?

I don't have anybody around here that can do this for me that I know of. I also don't have a garage to put it in.

Right, when it was taken in, they had sent a technician out to look at it and thought it was the axle seal and would not need to be split. When they started replacing the front axle seal, they discovered it was the transmission seal.

That is a shame about no independent shops around, but they are, I am afraid a dying breed. Our last one stopped working on tractors about a year ago and now does trucks only.

My brother has saved us a ton of money as we have a couple of shops on our farms and own tractors/farm independently and jointly. Many of our tractors are pretty old and he keeps them alive.

KOLBRNR · Sep 27, 2015

Sounds like a couple thousand dollars to add to the price of my new purchase.
How many days does it take?
Maybe 1 to separate it 1 to change the seals and 1 more to reassemble it.
Does that sound about right?

Okay just a quick update. I checked all the fluids. Perhaps I should have done this first. The engine oil and transmission oil are full/ The front axle was 2 1/2 liters low. Culprit found.

Now for the winning question. Should I spent the extra and have the transmission seal changed or roll the dice and just do the front axle? Anyone have an idea about time frames involved.
Would it be 1 day labor versus 3 days?
Does that sound reasonable?

I'll update how I make out at the dealer tomorrow.

TripleR · Sep 27, 2015

I honestly don't know the time frame as I had them add rear wheel weights and a third function valve.

As to rolling the dice, your dealer can best advise you as I don't know how much disassembly is involved. I was once given a big break on replacing my HST fan as another repair involved removing the deck and related parts.

kcender · Sep 27, 2015

KOLBRNR said:
I think it may be exactly that. The oil isn't black like the engine oil, it is lighter in color. How big of a job is that to fix?

My dealer said Kubota allows 20 minutes to replace the axle seal but in reality it takes about 30-40 minutes.Not a big job and definitely worth trying first.He said splitting the tractor would be 2-3 days,definitely a lot more money.Good luck.

KOLBRNR · Sep 27, 2015

kcender said:
My dealer said Kubota allows 20 minutes to replace the axle seal but in reality it takes about 30-40 minutes.Not a big job and definitely worth trying first.He said splitting the tractor would be 2-3 days,definitely a lot more money.Good luck.

Oh that's nothing if that's all it is. The front axle is the only thing that was down in fluid. So it must be coming from there. I will update what they tell me tomorrow.

Thanks.