Changin Fluids.....Stumped & need Help!

[Marooned]

I'm almost embarrassed to say this but here goes.....

While changing fluids during my first 50 hr service on my Grand L 4330, I'm having trouble with the front axle fluid.

According to the Owner's Manual, it is supposed to hold 9.5 US Qts of fluid in the front axle. Here's my dilemna....

Placing the tractor on level concrete floor, I removed the large bolt on top of the axle housing that is for refilling the fluids, then removed the two drain bolts on the lower ends of the bevel gear housing on each wheel of the tractor. The fluid started draining fine and I let it drain until there was virtually not even a drop coming out anymore. Replaced the two drain bolts and then took out the bolt on the side of the axle housing that is supposed to be used to determine when the housing has enough fluid in it (per the directions). Started adding new fluid back in the large filler hole on the top of the axle housing and when I got to about 5 quarts, oil starts coming out of the hole on the side of the housing. At this point, I'm stumped!

Then I remember reading somewhere on this site that someone was telling how he had to use a jack and jack up one end of the axle while changing fluids on the front axle, but I don't remember if it was to get all the fluid out or to put it back in. Anyway, so I replaced all the bolts, jacked up one end of the axle and waited for 10 or 15 minutes hoping that oil was rushing to the other end of the axle and down into the bevel gear housing. After the 15 minutes, I lowered the axle back to level ground, removed the top filler bolt and one side bolt and proceeded to start slowly pouring oil back in the housing. Almost immediately oil started coming out of the hole on the side of the housing again. Now I'm really stumped.

I am not quite sure how much of the old fluid came out when I drained it, but it appears (as it is still in the drain bucket) that the proper amount came out as I have a 5 gallon oil drain pan and it is about half full. Half full of 5 gallons would be 10 quarts, so i figured the axle had the correct 9 or 9.5 quarts in it. So why can't I get but 5 quarts back in it?

Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong, or have I missed something here?

 

[MODiesel]

You won't get all of the 9.5qts back in. As best as I can tell when I did the 50hr service on my L5030, the front axle was slightly overfilled.

Anyways, the trick I used was to turn the loader bucket all the way down, and then use the loader to lift the front end clear off the ground. Doing so, you can completely tilt the axle down on the "passenger" side to get the axle filled up. You'll need a flexible neck funnel, because the fill port will be elevated close to the engine.

Doing this, I put in about 9qts, and then set the axle back down level. I pulled the "fill level" plug and just let it drain until about even. I'm not sure of the exact amount in the axle, but at least I know it's right at the level that that plug gives.

- Jay

 

[RobJ]

Make sure there is not another plug somewhere. I know while doing the rear end on my L2500(2wd) there were about 3-4 plugs for draining the oil.

All the plugs should be checked on level ground.

Just checked my L2500 manual which also has the 4x4. 6.3qts of oil in that one. But it shows 3 plugs. 1 each at the knuckles and one in the middle. This one also has a dipstick for oil level. they are probably different but maybe some help anyway.

Good Luck,
Rob

 

[ksmmoto]

I had the same problem on my L3430. I have changed the oil twice now and both times it fills up with about five quarts.

I run the tractor for a few hours and check again and have had to add oil two or three times before it is full. Just seems to need a while to get more over to the right end of the axle.

ksmmoto

 

[Marooned]

I wonder if it hurts the axle components / gears if I overfill it?
Anyone know?

 

[Doc_Bob]

I wonder if it hurts the axle components / gears if I overfill it?
Anyone know?

Wouldn't make sense to overfill. Might blow a seal $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Bob

 

[Highbeam]

Here's a trick that may help you out. Use the loader to raise the front axle off the ground. Now spin the front wheels by hand to work the oil past the axle and down into those huge bevel gear housings. Figure that there must be a bearing or at least a tight clearance where the axle shaft meets the steering knuckle and that the lower housing holds a good bit of oil. By raising the axle tipping it and then spinning the wheels you can work more oil down into the lower housings.

The oil will migrate down there over time if you want to just wait it out.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Here's a trick that may help you out. Use the loader to raise the front axle off the ground. Now spin the front wheels by hand to work the oil past the axle and down into those huge bevel gear housings. Figure that there must be a bearing or at least a tight clearance where the axle shaft meets the steering knuckle and that the lower housing holds a good bit of oil. By raising the axle tipping it and then spinning the wheels you can work more oil down into the lower housings.

.

Great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going to try it.
Bob

 

[rosey]

Just wondering..............does Kubota recommend changing the front axle fluid at 50hrs??......sounds a little soon to me.

 

[john_bud]

I'm almost embarrassed to say this but here goes.....

{snip}
According to the Owner's Manual, it is supposed to hold 9.5 US Qts of fluid in the front axle.
{snip}
Started adding new fluid back in the large filler hole on the top of the axle housing and when I got to about 5 quarts, oil starts coming out of the hole on the side of the housing.
QUOTE]


I have the Kubota work shop manual for the L "10" series. I doubt that the capacity is radically changed going to the "30" series. It lists the front axle at 5.8 quarts. This is the capacity for ALL front axle cases from the 3010 to the 4310. Are you sure you got ~10 Q out? Can there be a mis-print?


I would run it around the yard for 5 minutes, let it set for 15 minutes and check the level again. If there is an air bubble holding up the fluid, that should fix it. If it still shows full, I would run it for an hour and check in the morning. Also, give a ring to the local K dealer and see what the real deal is!

jb

 

[RobJ]

Just wondering..............does Kubota recommend changing the front axle fluid at 50hrs??......sounds a little soon to me.

According to my L2500 owners manual...yes

Double circled items (meaning they MUST be done I guess) are..

engine oil (repeat at 100 then every 100)
trans oil (repeat at 400 then every 400)
trans oil strainer (repeat at 400 then every 400)
front axle oil (repeat at 400 then every 400)
adjust the clutch (repeat at 100 then every 100)


Rob

 

[N80]

My L4400 manual also calls for changing it at 50 hours and also indicates the capacity at 9.5 qts. It did not take nearly that much when I changed it. I did not measure how much it took but it wasn't much more than 6 qts and I went through all sorts of gymnastics to get it all out including rocking the axle side to side and spinning the wheels around. I overfilled it a _tiny_ bit and haven't checked it since the 50 hour service which was about 6-7 tractor hours ago. I'll check it today and report back on Monday.

 

[Marooned]

My L4400 manual also calls for changing it at 50 hours and also indicates the capacity at 9.5 qts. It did not take nearly that much when I changed it. I did not measure how much it took but it wasn't much more than 6 qts and I went through all sorts of gymnastics to get it all out including rocking the axle side to side and spinning the wheels around. I overfilled it a _tiny_ bit and haven't checked it since the 50 hour service which was about 6-7 tractor hours ago. I'll check it today and report back on Monday.

N80,
That would be good if you could let us know!!! I'm curious!

Also, I'm wondering why Kubota states it holds 9.5 qts if if really doesn't hold but 5 to 6 qts. 9.5 qts is stated throughout my manual in several places.

Maybe it truly does hold the 9.5 qts, I'm going to try some of the recommended procedures I've gotten from this thread this weekend and see if it helps me get any more fluid in the housing.

 

[N80]

It was low. When I opened the check hole, nothing came out. But, it was just a tiny bit low. I put less than a quart back in and it was flowing again. I'll check it again when I head back down next week.

I think it probably does hold 9.5 qts, its just real hard to get all 9.5 qts out of it.