Hydraulic fluid usage...

[HunterdonPaul]

Hello all - I haven't been around for a while. .. nice to see that TBD keeps gettin' bigger and better.

I have a Kubota B2910 which is a couple of years old now. The tractor works flawlessly - I am very happy with my purchase. However there is one thing that has me a bit worried. I have to add hydraulic fluid every 10 to 15 hours. It usually less than a quart. I do a fair amount of FEL work, especially in the winter months. Is adding this amount of hydraulic fluid normal?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[AntrimMan]

hello Paul,
continually adding fluid to maintain a specific level is not normal. Where is the fluid going? You have a leak. Look for puddles.
When I last moved snow I did notice that snow which had contacted the fel rams and the steering rack would melt and then re-freeze on the exposed piston rods (and stick on there pretty good too) and I thought this would lead to seal damage but I haven't noticed any leaks resulting soo far.
I used to look at leaks as matter of fact and would weigh the cost of repair against the price of oil. It always turned out that oil was cheap, at least in my case.
I'm more than a little fussy about losing oil to the environment now that we rely on a well for water and the dogs can get into it too, on the paws and into the mouth.
No it is not normal.
Best of luck,
Martin

 

[Partsman2]

No it is not normal to have to continually add hydraulic fluid. You have a leak somewhere. There should be the tell tale puddle on the ground where you park it on a regular basis.

It most likely is a lose fitting or something simple like that. I had to go through mine after the 1st year and tighten every fitting on it. Some were seeping and some weren't. It did stop my fluid consumption though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HunterdonPaul]

Thanks guys.

Whats kinda of weird is that I can't seem to find a leak anywhere. No puddles, no wet parts, nothing. I guess I'll just keep my eye on it...

Thanks,
Paul

 

[AntrimMan]

Paul,
I should add...
wear goggles, gloves, etc., when you are keeping your eye on it! Escaping high pressure fliud will penetrate skin given the opportunity. Use the cardboard method. Nuff said, be carefull.

Best of luck,
Martin

 

[v8dave]

How is you engine oil level looking? There have been some posts where the hydraulic fluid leaked past the seals in either the power steering pump or accessory pump and went into the crankcase. If you seem to have more "oil" in the crankcase than you put in, you may have a pump seal leak.