Kubota L4760 leak down.

[guyrich]

Recently purchased Kubota L4760 with loader and BH92 hoe. Approximately three days the stabilizer are 10 inches off the garage floor. I left the dipper unlatched and it was just about to rest on the truck. This leak down normal for Kubota?? I had purchased a smaller Kubota and had the same experience. I only owned it for a few months as it was a little to small. I like the tractor and can live with it if this is normal.
Guy Rich

 

[Grandad4]

Recently purchased Kubota L4760 with loader and BH92 hoe. Approximately three days the stabilizer are 10 inches off the garage floor. I left the dipper unlatched and it was just about to rest on the truck. This leak down normal for Kubota?? I had purchased a smaller Kubota and had the same experience. I only owned it for a few months as it was a little to small. I like the tractor and can live with it if this is normal.
Guy Rich

Yes, that's pretty normal for this type of equipment, regardless of brand. Hydraulic cylinders with check valves don't leak down but are more costly and probably not economically justified in occasional use equipment like this. Likewise, higher precision tolerances in the cylinders as found on construction equipment is much more costly.

 

[mljenkins]

Resurrecting an old thread here, but new L6060HST with BH92 used for about an hour last night and overnight the stabilizers dropped to the ground. The last bit took about an hour to go from probably a 60 degree angle to the ground (tractor sitting where my security camera picked up the action). Quite annoying as if I forget to pull them up before I move the tractor I'm going to have a mess of my barn.

I noticed when they delivered it when I parked it, I locked the hoe in place. When I came back outside like 3 hours later the hoe was sitting against the lock.

All the posts I see on here say this is normal behavior. I did not notice any leak down when the tractor was running but honestly haven't used it that much yet (it was literally 0F here last night). However, overnight for things to drop seems pretty fast. Could this be an indication of an issue, and if so what should I look for? I checked around the tractor last night for leaks (found one on the 3rd function install) but didn't notice anything on the backhoe. I'm wondering if I should get after my dealer about this or just let it go if it is "normal"?

If this is just normal, how do others deal with keeping them up? Thinking maybe some sort of rope or strip loop joined to length I can quickly put on them and take off at this point.

PS: Interesting story, I asked the fellow (super nice guy) that delivered it if they leak down when you detach them and he said no. In my case now it is still attached. But, this is the same fellow that told me that I didn't have to reconnect the power beyond hose going to the backhoe back to the tractor and I could remove those lines with the tractor running. :confused2: I feel bad for people that are not equipment savvy or spend time on forums like this. I suspect years ago before the Internet people must have broken way more stuff.

 

[Phillip w]

I don't know in your situation if it's normal or not. I can tell you I got a mf 1531 and the loader has leaked down every since I've owned it. I got a 40+ year old allis Chalmers. I have raised the loader up to make more room to cram things into my machine shed. That loader on the allis Chalmers will stay up indefinitely. So I don't know what to think.

 

[DieselBound]

mljenkins, is this new equipment? If so, I'd ask the dealer. Even if they say that it's OK they'd kind of be on the alert that you're concerned; if it should worsen (not necessarily assured, but possible if there IS some sort of defect) then they would likely be a bit more responsive (hard to dismiss something the second time around).

Seems that the general rule of thumb is that everything tends to leak down and it's really the rate that is of concern. In the case of a backhoe's stabilizers they're not typically down in the same spot for a long time during operation in which case any leak down isn't likely going to be detected (if one finds that one is "detecting" it, having to adjust during operation, THEN it starts to become/is an issue. Parked and not in use, well, not so much. I make it a habit to check the state of all attachments when going to first operate my equipment: sometimes I forget and I realize that it's MY fault.

I have a check valve on my NX5510's top link to help keep stuff like my box blade from drifting down, something that absolutely WOULD happen fairly noticeably when operating with its weight (1,200 lbs).

 

[mljenkins]

mljenkins, is this new equipment? If so, I'd ask the dealer. Even if they say that it's OK they'd kind of be on the alert that you're concerned; if it should worsen (not necessarily assured, but possible if there IS some sort of defect) then they would likely be a bit more responsive (hard to dismiss something the second time around).

Seems that the general rule of thumb is that everything tends to leak down and it's really the rate that is of concern. In the case of a backhoe's stabilizers they're not typically down in the same spot for a long time during operation in which case any leak down isn't likely going to be detected (if one finds that one is "detecting" it, having to adjust during operation, THEN it starts to become/is an issue. Parked and not in use, well, not so much. I make it a habit to check the state of all attachments when going to first operate my equipment: sometimes I forget and I realize that it's MY fault.

I have a check valve on my NX5510's top link to help keep stuff like my box blade from drifting down, something that absolutely WOULD happen fairly noticeably when operating with its weight (1,200 lbs).

Yes new equipment just delivered yesterday. The sales guy I dealt with was out today so I'll try again tomorrow.

In relation to what Phillip mentioned, I had a NH WM55 that I traded. The loader would never leak down. Even with my box blade at 750# on the 3-point it wouldn't move much after a few days (I never left it raised intentionally so not sure how long it would have stayed). So at this point I'm just wondering if the valves on the backhoe are just really crummy. I've never owned a backhoe before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I figured a little leak down would be normal, but for the stabilizers to be on the ground by morning I thought was excessive.

Matt

 

[Yankee Clipper]

Matt,

Yes - the stabilizers will leak down overnight. The valve stack is a standard 7 spool unit and the only thing that keeps the legs up is the clearance (or lack of) between the spool and the valve body. These valves are good quality but they have to have this clearance in them or you could not move them manually or afford to buy them.

There is no check valve on the stabilizer circuit so if eliminating creep is important to you, install an alternating check in the circuit on each side (L/R) and you will not see any creep of the stabilizers as the check valve will isolate the cylinder from the valve when no fluid is flowing in or out.

You may tell the dealer you want another valve but I will tell you the result will be the same as they all will have some clearance in them. You may get one that is slower / more acceptable to you, but as it wears, the clearance increases....

And when the dealer files a warranty claim and the valve is recalled and tested, the claim will be denied as it meets the manufacturing spec agreed to by Kubota.

Sorry to sound like your Dad but I did this for many years and know the drill.

Good luck!

YC

 

[Grandad4]

What these other folks said. Having the outriggers leak down overnight is completely normal. As for "dealing with them", it's not a safe practice to leave farm equipment parked unattended with attachments elevated solely on the hydraulics, whether it's your loader, backhoe or a 3 point implement. You don't know when someone who doesn't know any better (a child or grandchild, for example), will come across your equipment and start playing with the controls. Always drop any hydraulically operated attachments fully to the ground (or pin them in position) when you shut down for the day. Your tractor and/or backhoe operators manual probably says something similar in the Safety Precautions section.

 

[mljenkins]

Matt,

Yes - the stabilizers will leak down overnight. The valve stack is a standard 7 spool unit and the only thing that keeps the legs up is the clearance (or lack of) between the spool and the valve body. These valves are good quality but they have to have this clearance in them or you could not move them manually or afford to buy them.

Thanks for the explanation. I would rather not have it worked on if this is normal over time as the last thing I want is to introduce new issues.

As for the comments on lower the hydraulics, I always do so for the loader and three point for the reason of safety. Thanks for pointing out that aspect for the backhoe because I honestly never thought about it with regards to the stabilizers (not owning one until now). I think I’ll likely just try to move some things around so I can either lower them when I am done for the day or I will make some sort of strap to hold them. I saw where someone on the forums had mentioned making a latch for another brand of backhoe so perhaps it would even be possible to devise something better over time. Perhaps a warm rainy day project...

Thanks again for all your comments. At least I know now not to be overly concerned with it. I used it lightly about half an hour this evening and did not notice anything abnormal with functions or the stabilizers using it.

 

[Phillip w]

Hey, I forgot to lower my 3 pt arms. It was an honest goof. I had a bale carrier and big round bale on. (Probably 1400 lbs more or less). The arms never moved. That on my old allis Chalmers. That's what I got going on, don't know how it applies to your situation or if it even does.

 

[Fallon]

Not sure about a hoe. My loader is rock solid & doesn't leak down in weeks. My TnT valves on the other hand...

Take a look at the clock next to the gearbox. It was cold (machine & outdoor temp). And that is after taking it to the dealer for them to fix it. I think they replaced 2 valves.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Not sure about a hoe. My loader is rock solid & doesn't leak down in weeks. My TnT valves on the other hand...

Take a look at the clock next to the gearbox. It was cold (machine & outdoor temp). And that is after taking it to the dealer for them to fix it. I think they replaced 2 valves.View attachment 533780View attachment 533781View attachment 533782

So did they ever get you what Kubota's acceptable internal valve leakage rate is? Did they get your linkage smoothed out? :confused3:

I just don't get it, Kubota seems to have very good loader valves and not so good rear remote valves. JD is the exact opposite, their loader valves are questionable and their rear remote valves seem to be pretty good. :confused2:

 

[Fallon]

So did they ever get you what Kubota's acceptable internal valve leakage rate is? Did they get your linkage smoothed out? :confused3:

I just don't get it, Kubota seems to have very good loader valves and not so good rear remote valves. JD is the exact opposite, their loader valves are questionable and their rear remote valves seem to be pretty good. :confused2:

Nope, my dealer couldn't get that info out of Kubota last I heard. My toplink is around an inch an hour. Not great at all, but if that was it I'd just live with it. That sidelink is attrocious though & worse than before I took it in I think. That mower is heavier than my other impliments. I have it centered at the moment rather than the 1.5' offset the old Ford 917 had so it should pull on the tilt cylinder about as much.

Haven't played with the linkages to much, but they seem a fair bit better.

They moved the 3rd function hoses so they aren't hanging as low. But I'm thinking I'll still need to fab up a skid plate as that whole assembly is the lowest part of the undercarriage.

Like the machine & HST+, but any hydraulics other than the loader & 3pt are a stain on Kubota's reputation.

 

[mljenkins]

Interestingly last night the stabilizers only moved about an inch if that. The one thing I recall doing different is raising the stabilizers right before shutting off the tractor. The other night when they fell I didn’t do that, I had just parked it after using it. I guess maybe the spool was in a slightly different position between both uses.

 

[LD1]

All the way down over night dont sound great for a new machine.

But as others said, all hydraulic valves are gonna leak. Its the rate that is the concern.

And until the rate of leakage causes issues while operating.....then its not an issue IMO.

How much did you use it the first day when delivered? Perhaps there was still air in the system not fully purged out yet. And last night.....when they didnt leak down much, is because you have used it enough to get all the air out?

 

[mljenkins]

All the way down over night dont sound great for a new machine.

But as others said, all hydraulic valves are gonna leak. Its the rate that is the concern.

And until the rate of leakage causes issues while operating.....then its not an issue IMO.

How much did you use it the first day when delivered? Perhaps there was still air in the system not fully purged out yet. And last night.....when they didnt leak down much, is because you have used it enough to get all the air out?

I probably used it about 5 minutes very lightly to clean out a ditch beside my driveway the first day it came. That is a great point about the air. That makes a lot of sense. I used it yesterday for about 10 minutes and definitely cycled most of the cylinders all the way in and out when digging another small drainage ditch along the driveway just making sure things worked.

I would have figured the dealer would have tested all the functions but perhaps they didn’t cycle the functions but once quickly and called it good.

Thanks for your thoughts, I’ll keep an eye on it and see if it goes away now I have used it more. I probably used it about 3 minutes this evening just messing around so we will see.

 

[Ken Mac]

I have a Kubota B26 2015 model and it leaks down, but no where near what you first described. ai've been told what the acceptable leakage rate is, but don't remember the number. My outriggers leak about 1/2 inch per 24 hours and I can live with that. The bucket and thumb also leak about the same. The boom is locked, but leaks down against the lock after a few minutes. I'm sure someone at Kubota can find the allowable rate if they want to.

 

[Fallon]

My dealer has looked but can't get an acceptable leakdown rate for the rear spools on my L4060. Would be curious to hear any other Kubota leakdown specs if anybody has heard them.

 

[mguitas]

I place my backhoe bucket on a thick rubber pad when i'm done. I will put the bucket a inch from the pad, then turn off the pto. Let the bucket go down without power. The one day in the summer I forgot to lower it. To my surprise in 24 hours it was still a inch above the pad. My backhoe is a Wallenstein, so not all brands are the same.

 

[Ken Mac]

My dealer has looked but can't get an acceptable leakdown rate for the rear spools on my L4060. Would be curious to hear any other Kubota leakdown specs if anybody has heard them.

I will call my dealer Cahaba Tractor Tuesday and ask what is allowable, if I can remember to do it. I'll be another year older by then!