Do your own Fluids and Filters on a BX

[sixdogs]

Apparently there are nooks and crannies or air preventing filling. Seems to be a common issue and real common on new BXs.

I have other series Kubotas and they are all the same in the front axle department and some take several hours of operation to get the final fill amount correct.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have other series Kubotas and they are all the same in the front axle department and some take several hours of operation to get the final fill amount correct.

I also keep checks on my Bs for a few months until I'm sure the fronts full.

 

[sixdogs]

I may have discovered something about filling the hubs. I changed the front hub and axle oil yesterday on a new-to-me M6800 Kubota and I didn't have enough gear oil to finish the job. I left the fill plugs off overnight and today did the final initial fill.

Anyway, each hub holds 3.7 quarts and I got in almost 3.5 quarts. I was expecting maybe 2 1/2, or so, quarts because of experience but got almost all of it in. Even now, I can dribble it in and keep filling.

So, do you suppose leaving the fill plug off overnight on a partially filled hub allowed the hub to burp out some of the air? I wonder, and we would need others to experience this but that's what I'm thinking.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I may have discovered something about filling the hubs. I changed the front hub and axle oil yesterday on a new-to-me M6800 Kubota and I didn't have enough gear oil to finish the job. I left the fill plugs off overnight and today did the final initial fill.

Anyway, each hub holds 3.7 quarts and I got in almost 3.5 quarts. I was expecting maybe 2 1/2, or so, quarts because of experience but got almost all of it in. Even now, I can dribble it in and keep filling.

So, do you suppose leaving the fill plug off overnight on a partially filled hub allowed the hub to burp out some of the air? I wonder, and we would need others to experience this but that's what I'm thinking.

You may have discovered the secret to getting the front axle filled in 24 hours. Wonder if anyone else has tried this?

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

You may have discovered the secret to getting the front axle filled in 24 hours. Wonder if anyone else has tried this?

Has anyone else tried this leaving the fill cap off or loose overnight to see if level drops?

 

[RaydaKub]

Has anyone else tried this leaving the fill cap off or loose overnight to see if level drops?

Maybe somebody has tried this, but how about if you jack it up and let it free wheel a bit. Turn one wheel and the other spins backwards. Still might take a while though. I'll probably find out this fall.

 

[dragoneggs]

Maybe somebody has tried this, but how about if you jack it up and let it free wheel a bit. Turn one wheel and the other spins backwards. Still might take a while though. I'll probably find out this fall.

This sounds like a very good idea.

 

[dodge man]

I just did mine front axle a couple of months ago and it seemed like I had to actually use it a couple of hours before the fluid level dropped.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I may have discovered something about filling the hubs. I changed the front hub and axle oil yesterday on a new-to-me M6800 Kubota and I didn't have enough gear oil to finish the job. I left the fill plugs off overnight and today did the final initial fill.

Anyway, each hub holds 3.7 quarts and I got in almost 3.5 quarts. I was expecting maybe 2 1/2, or so, quarts because of experience but got almost all of it in. Even now, I can dribble it in and keep filling.

So, do you suppose leaving the fill plug off overnight on a partially filled hub allowed the hub to burp out some of the air? I wonder, and we would need others to experience this but that's what I'm thinking.

Your M housing may be big enough to allow air to escape where the smaller BXs and possibly Bs may require some movement to make the air move out and I think trapped air is the issue. :2cents:

 

[sixdogs]

Your M housing may be big enough to allow air to escape where the smaller BXs and possibly Bs may require some movement to make the air move out and I think trapped air is the issue. :2cents:

After changing hub and axle oil for years with B, L and M tractors, I was surprised when the M burped itself. This has to simply be trapped air. It happened but we need others to physically try it so we can see what works and what doesn't. Fill it with fluid, leave the plug out and check the next day. Warm weather would be best to try this.

I could see how movement would also do it as the oil gets churned up and air escapes through the breather port. We need to know if leaving the cap off overnight is a fix or just an isolated thing. Maybe I'll start a thread.

 

[sixdogs]

Your M housing may be big enough to allow air to escape where the smaller BXs and possibly Bs may require some movement to make the air move out and I think trapped air is the issue. :2cents:

I checked the oil level in the hubs tonight and after 9 hours they are still full. This has never happened for me so I'm thinking that leaving the plug out overnight worked for my M6800. Put some oil in, let it sit overnight with the cap off and finish filling the next day.

 

[CCWKen]

Can't leave caps off over night around here. The hole would be filled with sand or critters by morning. Might ought to poke a rag in it.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Can't leave caps off over night around here. The hole would be filled with sand or critters by morning. Might ought to poke a rag in it.

I pondered the bug issue but laying a rag over the hole should restrict bug entrance but allow air to escape.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Who still cleans the hyd screen at first hyd filter change? Anyone?

 

[dragoneggs]

Who still cleans the hyd screen at first hyd filter change? Anyone?

Doesn't everyone?

 

[sixdogs]

Who still cleans the hyd screen at first hyd filter change? Anyone?

Yeah, I do. I have done this as well as follow up cleanings on Kubota and other Japanese tractors and think this is an important time to clean and inspect. That's when parts are getting fitted together and when the greatest odds of problems are. It's no big deal to do it so why not? How many posts have we seen with junk in the strainer that was a part of a bigger issue? Better to find out earlier than later. Preventative maintenance is why I have never had an equipment breakdown.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Doesn't everyone?

Yeah, I do. I have done this as well as follow up cleanings on Kubota and other Japanese tractors and think this is an important time to clean and inspect. That's when parts are getting fitted together and when the greatest odds of problems are. It's no big deal to do it so why not? How many posts have we seen with junk in the strainer that was a part of a bigger issue? Better to find out earlier than later. Preventative maintenance is why I have never had an equipment breakdown.

Very few people mention this cleaning anymore. I suspect it is dropping off the service process except among us "older" users.

 

[sixdogs]

Very few people mention this cleaning anymore. I suspect it is dropping off the service process except among us "older" users.

Have you noticed in threads regarding hydraulic or gear problems that the first advice is often to clean out the hydraulic strainer? These used to be the hydraulic filter before filters were added and they still are a primary place where trouble hides or is discovered. I think the tractor makers are leaving cleaning the thing out because people don't like the job of cleaning it and might just choose a maker that doesn't require it.

Regardless, if one is prudent and pro-active, cleaning the hydraulic strainer in the first 50 or 100 hours is a prudent thing to do and can often save a lot of angst later on. Remember, in many tractors over lots of hours I have never had a breakdown mostly because I maintain and check stuff before it has a chance to cause a problem. I nipped some nasty stuff in the bud.

Moral of the story is to clean your hydraulic strainer in the early days of your tractor and look for metal filings or pieces or just normal metal dust.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Have you noticed in threads regarding hydraulic or gear problems that the first advice is often to clean out the hydraulic strainer? These used to be the hydraulic filter before filters were added and they still are a primary place where trouble hides or is discovered. I think the tractor makers are leaving cleaning the thing out because people don't like the job of cleaning it and might just choose a maker that doesn't require it.

Regardless, if one is prudent and pro-active, cleaning the hydraulic strainer in the first 50 or 100 hours is a prudent thing to do and can often save a lot of angst later on. Remember, in many tractors over lots of hours I have never had a breakdown mostly because I maintain and check stuff before it has a chance to cause a problem. I nipped some nasty stuff in the bud.

Moral of the story is to clean your hydraulic strainer in the early days of your tractor and look for metal filings or pieces or just normal metal dust.

I totally agree. Preventative maintenance is essential and financially wise.

 

[dfran1]

How do I cleans the hyd screen , remove the left rear tire? Will I loose fluid? How to clean ? Do I need anything (cleaner spray or gasket ?)
Sorry if this is a repeat question, just thought I ask to find out the proper way on my BX, I will do this when I change to winter tires.

Thanks to all!!!