When using 3 of the 4 kubota fel I have used, and can't say for sure on #4, I sometimes get the smell of hydraulic fluid. I cannot find a lead, but have smelled enough fluid in 60 years to know what it smells like. It seems to happen most often when I tilt my bucket down and back drag. Any one have the same situation, advice or guess? This is a 7800, but it happenen with the 7500 and 3400? (how soon we forget) These three are hst and the 4th was gst.
hydraulic smell
- Thread starter hambob
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Henro
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2003
- Messages
- 4,982
- Location
- Few miles north of Pgh, PA
- Tractor
- Kubota B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini EX
I think from what I have read here at TBN in the past that this is normal. I have noticed the same thing from time to time with my B2910, which is the same tractor as the B7800.
The way I make sense of it is that since cylinders do not equal volumes on each side, due to the cylinder rod, that this causes some air to be sucked in, and expelled from the hydraulic system (tank) during operation of the loader. This air, when it is expelled takes some oil vapor with it I expect.
Anyway, I have often smelled that "sweet" smell, and have not noticed a drop of hydraulic fluid level.
The way I make sense of it is that since cylinders do not equal volumes on each side, due to the cylinder rod, that this causes some air to be sucked in, and expelled from the hydraulic system (tank) during operation of the loader. This air, when it is expelled takes some oil vapor with it I expect.
Anyway, I have often smelled that "sweet" smell, and have not noticed a drop of hydraulic fluid level.
Volnavy
Bronze Member
I notice it when using the loader in the float mode, especially if it is high in the air when I shift it there. I think it allows air to escape (you hear the phush) and that air has the smell.
rfogle
Member
I think volnavy hit the nail on the head. After reading his post, I pulled out the owner's manual. Under the heading "Removing air from hydraulic system" is this note; Important: do not move the control lever into float position when the bucket is off the ground.
MarkLeininger
Platinum Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( do not move the control lever into float position when the bucket is off the ground. )</font>
I think we concluded in a previous thread that this was a safety issue. Although I'm not sure why because the bucket comes down slower in float mode and doesn't have the force of two cylinders pushing down. I think what they intend is that you lower the bucket until it's close to the ground, then float.
I think we concluded in a previous thread that this was a safety issue. Although I'm not sure why because the bucket comes down slower in float mode and doesn't have the force of two cylinders pushing down. I think what they intend is that you lower the bucket until it's close to the ground, then float.
DanR67
Silver Member
I agree with rfogle - Volnavy hit it on the head! Throw in Henros' comment and we have a winner!
This makes perfect sense now: the FEL cylinders' large diameter ports (lifting side) are going to tank when the FEL is lowered - so the volume of oil in the transmission is going up - meaning that there is less space for air - and it gets forced out - taking along the puff of hydr. oil vapor.
I too have been smelling that "sweet smell" ever since getting the tractor last March - and I've wondered & wondered where the smell came from - but I also could never find a leak & the hydr. oil level always remained the same!
The mystery is solved - I can sleep soundly now! Thanks TBNers! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Dan
This makes perfect sense now: the FEL cylinders' large diameter ports (lifting side) are going to tank when the FEL is lowered - so the volume of oil in the transmission is going up - meaning that there is less space for air - and it gets forced out - taking along the puff of hydr. oil vapor.
I too have been smelling that "sweet smell" ever since getting the tractor last March - and I've wondered & wondered where the smell came from - but I also could never find a leak & the hydr. oil level always remained the same!
The mystery is solved - I can sleep soundly now! Thanks TBNers! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Dan
tnmx
New member
well in my case - it is a leak... in fact a few of them - enough that the trans-dip stick is dry!! less than a week old and my B7800 is going back to the shop today. many of the fel connections are leaking and the bh has one too - grrrr. not to mention the couple of bolts i found on the bh that were only "finger" tightened - yikes!!! guess i will have to follow these guys around with my torque wrench.
Volfandt
Veteran Member
Yeah, I get the smell, mixed along w/some diesel exhaust too. Was alittle concerned at 1st but since t haven't lost any fluid yet in it's young 21 hrs I've stored this unique BX aroma in the permanent memory banks as the machnes SOP!
It may be my imagination but since I dismounted the BH & FEL ran the tractor around some then remounted them a day later that it seems that the FEL's rollback goes back further now.
tnmx, is your dealer in K-town?
Volfandt
It may be my imagination but since I dismounted the BH & FEL ran the tractor around some then remounted them a day later that it seems that the FEL's rollback goes back further now.
tnmx, is your dealer in K-town?
Volfandt
tnmx
New member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
tnmx, is your dealer in K-town?
)</font>
i don't want to point fingers yet as they are trying to make it right. i'll give them the benefit of the doubt -- one time. i mean it was only part of a $25k transaction...
tnmx, is your dealer in K-town?
)</font>
i don't want to point fingers yet as they are trying to make it right. i'll give them the benefit of the doubt -- one time. i mean it was only part of a $25k transaction...