BX 23 vibration

[vlpena]

Just ran across a new problem with my BX23. I was moving some branches and trunk portions of a Chinese Talese tree that I cut down in the back pasture. We call these trees China Berry Trees in my part of the country, they are like the "weeds of trees" meaning they will grow fast and die young (25 year life span).
Anyway, after moving these portions of this tree to create a burn pile, I noticed a vibration under the floorboard area. The parking brake lock and the whole floorboard was vibrating quite a bit. Never heard that before. Even the deisel motor sounded different. I then looked under the undercarriage and viewed the driveline. But, I couldn't tell if the drive line was warped (possibly by a stick). The vibration is still there.
I only have 25+ hours on this tractor, so I don't know if this could be a warranty issue.
Any ideas would be appreciated. I feel a trip to the dealer would be appropriate here. What do you think?

 

[Junkman]

Good possibility that you broke a couple of the blade of the hydro cooling fan and that is causing the drive shaft to be off balance. Since you only have 25 hours on the machine, why not let the selling dealer deal with this. Chances are, that even if it was something that you are at fault, he will warranty the item as a good will gesture.

 

[vlpena]

Thanks for your response, Junkman. Is the fan you're talking about have plastic blades? If so, I thought I checked that out while looking for the cause. Hey, but I've been known to overlook a few things in my life! OK! Maybe more than a few...!

 

[Junkman]

Yes, it does have plastic blades and many times while working in brush, a stick will get shoved up there at just the right angle to take off a blade or two. The replacement fans are about $5.00, and it is one of those things that you should have a spare, so you will never need it. If you don't have a spare, it will fracture on a Sunday when there not even a remote chance of finding a dealer open. When I purchased my tractor, I got spare filters for the machine. Then I purchased some more, because I don't know where I put the originals. I am going to order a fan blade also and hope that I never need to install it...

 

[vlpena]

Hey Junkman,
Wanted to get back with you on this problem with vibration on my BX23. Well, I haven't used the tractor that much since I noticed this problem, but I have started it up to get it out of the way to do other stuff. After I backed it in the barn, I turned it off and looked under the tractor again and saw this rubber sleeve that looked like it attached to the driveshaft just in front of those hydo cooling (plastic) blades. My guess that a stick from my clearing of the tree got up in there and tore it enough to have it get caught up between the drive line and the undercarriage of the floorboard and create the vibration... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif? Anyway here is a picture of it.

 

[vlpena]

And another closer up. What is this thingie called...a dust whatchamacallit?

 

[vlpena]

Yet another. Better angle, closer up. How important are these? Do I need to replace them?

 

[vlpena]

Oops, I forgot to attach the last picture /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[vlpena]

Now this is a picture of the front wheel suspension. These dust cover thingies over the pivot dealies near the front tiers have been torn off also.
My question is, do I need to replace these? What is their purpose?
The moral of the story is what out for those sticks!

 

[Junkman]

They are very important. That is all that keeps the grease in and the dirt out. I don't know what they are called by Kubota, but on an automobile, they are referred to as "boots". I haven't looked at them on my tractor.... (the wife is calling me for dinner), but I know that it isn't going to be easy or inexpensive. The bearings will also need to be cleaned and repacked if they are what I am thinking of... Good luck and stay out of the brush.... it is a tractor, not a bulldozer!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif