Kubota L245 Rear Axle Case Oil Type

[Banochris]

Does anyone know what type of oil to use in the Rear Axle Case? I'm guessing it's SAE80 weight gear oil, but what's in there now looks like motor oil. I'm replacing the gaskets and inspecting the seals & bearings, so gotta change the oil.

Thanks,
Monty

 

[number two]

I think they called for SAE80,but
I'd certainly use any decent universal tractor fluid,UDT,etc.
It will contain the EP(extreme pressure)additives for the axle gears.
Besides,straight 80 weight gear oil is difficult to find.
I remember this from reading a customers
L185DT service guide some years ago.
Good Luck!

 

[5030]

If you don't have a manual, go on www.kubotabooks.com and find your model and download the manual and look up the Kubota recommended lubricant.

 

[Banochris]

Thanks number two. I got a hold of the folks at Messick's and they said the Rear Axle case gets the lube from the hydraulic reservoir. They also suggested using a quality UDT or a Super UDT2. Apparently when you drain the hydraulic fluid, you have to pull the 2 plugs under the transmission and transfer case, then the lower one on the back side of the rear axle case. That gets pretty much all the fluid out except what's in the hydraulic line on the FEL. The tractor is supposed to hold 6-7 gallons of hydraulic fluid.

I'll post the results when I finish her up.
Monty

 

[number two]

Like 5030 said,an operators manual would be very useful in performing the service.
There could be one or two strainers in the hydraulic system that may be cleaned.

 

[Banochris]

Well I said I would post the results... After much research, head scratching, and trial & error, here's what happened. Also,,, quick shout out to the extremely helpful folks at Messicks. I'm a HUGE fan of owning the owner's and maintenance manuals for just about everything that can be repaired, so I bought the owners/operating manual and the service manuals for the L245/L245DT. These were very helpful and full of TONs of information, but not as clear as you'd hope.

The Kubota L245F (2WD Version) has 4 drain plugs to drain all the hydraulic/transmission fluid out. There is 1 on the bottom of the transmission, 1 on the bottom of the transfer case, and one on the back side of each rear axle housing. Then there is the transmission fluid filter screen, located on the left side (sitting on the tractor facing forward), right next to the end of the muffler. There are 2 bolts and a spring, so be careful taking it out or you'll be casing that down. lol. You can clean the screen with diesel and a tooth brush, but best to change it while your in there.

Once I got all the old, and I mean OLD, fluid out and replaced the filter screen, I put the plugs back into the transmission and the transfer case. I left the plugs out of the axle cases for now. Now this is when the fun began. On the L245F there are 2, yes 2, plugs located by the clutch pedal. 1 of them, the one on the left, is recessed, the head is pretty much flush with the transmission case, and it comes out very easily. THIS IS THE WRONG ONE. The other 1, on the right, sticks out like normal and is tough to get out. In fact you'll probably strip the head like I did, and have to use vise grips to get it out. THIS IS THE CORRECT ONE to use as the fluid level indicator. And yes, I replaced it.

I used a small, CHHEEPO, hand pump to start putting new fluid back into the fill plug, on top of the trany right next to the shift levers. While pumping in the new fluid, I watched for fluid to come out the axle cases, then quickly plugged them. Then I kept filling till it started coming out the "Fluid Indicator" hole. Then quickly plugged it up. Tightened the plugs to torque specs, from the maintenance manual, and started up the engine. Let it idle for a few minutes, operated the 3 point a few times, then shut it down and rechecked the fluid level. It took about 7 gallons of hydraulic/transmission UDT fluid.

I know that was long, but it runs GREAT and the hydraulic pump is strong.

Luv my "Old "A" Kubota...

 

[Banochris]

Well I spoke too soon.

Everything works correctly, and strong for about 10 minutes. Then the 3-point won't stay in place (lowers) and the FEL lifts jerky and only a little at a time. The bucket does the same thing and will only lift a few inches at a time. I noticed a couple of things when this is happening.

1) Sometimes the bucket (not the boom) will lower when I move the control lever to raise it.
2) If I turn off the tractor for about 5 minutes, everything functions correctly and strong for about 10 minutes.
3) Running the tractor at about 1750-1800 RPM.
4) There is a faint, intermittent hissing sound (not sure what else to call it) like the sound of a faucet. Is it sucking air?
5) I don't see any fluid leaks.
6) I rechecked the fluid level, and based on the "fluid level overflow plug", it looks to be correct.
7) The bucket and the boom are always 1/2 the speed going down as up.

I'm kind of stuck..

 

[Robin Veerman]

Well "hissing sound" is something that you need to investigate further. Check all plugs and oil filters. What oil did you install? KUP

 

[Banochris]

I used "Standard Tractor Fluid" from Tractor Supply. It listed Kubota UTF on the can

I swear it's acting like it's fluid starved. After it sits for about 5 minutes powered off, (I'm guessing the fluid settles), it works great and strong. Loader and bucket are slower to drop and dump than to lift and roll back. 3-Point holds brush cutter up and in place. After about 10 minutes, I start hearing that alternating phst sound and pressure goes by by, and 3-point lift is jerky at best. I don't see any fluid leaks and I've checked the fluid level several times. It trickles out of the fluid level plug. It's not foamy or milky looking.

I read some posts talking about dual action hydraulic cylinders work the air out by working the FEL controls. If there is an air bubble trapped in there, how in the world do you get that out.

Could it be the pressure relief valve? If so How do you troubleshoot that valve?

If the FEL control is malfunctioning, would that cause the 3-point to fail as well or just the FEL?

Monty