Kubota L39 GST Grinding/chattering noise when in motion?

[rScotty]

I Changed the fluid and filters today. Pricey yes, But it was well worth it. I used it some, Not a lot, its raining now.
I did not hear my gear chatter that I had. I can still hear the tranny when driving at faster speeds, but barely, Sounds more like normal. Best thing is right off the bat I could see it shifted smoother and much quicker. Also seemed to make my sticky bucket control a little smoother. It really made a big difference.
I was surprised when I did the fluid change. The sample on the dip stick looks like clean oil. But the stuff that came out of the ole girl was dark and nasty. Not milky, just dirty. And I was correct, It was the first time Its been done, The filters were the same color as the subframe, and had assembly shavings on the magnets.
I should have done this before I started a thread. But Maybe someone else out there will find this info when they have the same question. Lord knows I couldn't find a single person that had ever heard such a noise in a GST tractor till this thread. And for low a experience guy like me, Its amazing the difference new fluid and filters can make.

Good for you. The chattering was probably partial engagement of the hydraulic clutch packs in the GlideShift. And the only way that can happen is if the suction filters (BTW, they are all suction filters) were clogged to the point that they were starving the hydraulic pump. That causes cavitation on the pump face and micropitting which leads to failure. You may have just caught it in time....it sounds like you did. And if so you just avoided a VERY expensive transmission and hydraulic pump job.

I am sorry to say what I'm about to, because I'm afraid you are going to hate what I'm going to say next.... But I recommend that you do another complete filter change within the next 25 to 50 engine hours. Definitely change the filters again. We can talk about why, but basically if we are right about what went on, then there are still too many micro-particles circulating. You can re-use the oil if it looks ok as long as it doesn't/didn't get dirt or water contaminated.

New oil is better, but to re-use low hour oil that is still good, let the oil settle in a perfectly still clean container for a day or more and then decant the oil carefully to leave 10% behind. If you let it sit several days, that process is actually better at removing fine particles than most filters can do.

I'm glad this worked out. Those L39s are great machines. No reason why they can't last a lifetime.
rScotty

 

[fried1765]

I Changed the fluid and filters today. Pricey yes, But it was well worth it. I used it some, Not a lot, its raining now.
I did not hear my gear chatter that I had. I can still hear the tranny when driving at faster speeds, but barely, Sounds more like normal. Best thing is right off the bat I could see it shifted smoother and much quicker. Also seemed to make my sticky bucket control a little smoother. It really made a big difference.
I was surprised when I did the fluid change. The sample on the dip stick looks like clean oil. But the stuff that came out of the ole girl was dark and nasty. Not milky, just dirty. And I was correct, It was the first time Its been done, The filters were the same color as the subframe, and had assembly shavings on the magnets.
I should have done this before I started a thread. But Maybe someone else out there will find this info when they have the same question. Lord knows I couldn't find a single person that had ever heard such a noise in a GST tractor till this thread. And for low a experience guy like me, Its amazing the difference new fluid and filters can make.
Next up
Front Axle oil change.
View attachment 652706

That looks like a nice machine.
I have it's slightly older/bigger brother 250 hr. L48 TLB

 

[DivineL39]

Good for you. The chattering was probably partial engagement of the hydraulic clutch packs in the GlideShift. And the only way that can happen is if the suction filters (BTW, they are all suction filters) were clogged to the point that they were starving the hydraulic pump. That causes cavitation on the pump face and micropitting which leads to failure. You may have just caught it in time....it sounds like you did. And if so you just avoided a VERY expensive transmission and hydraulic pump job.

I am sorry to say what I'm about to, because I'm afraid you are going to hate what I'm going to say next.... But I recommend that you do another complete filter change within the next 25 to 50 engine hours. Definitely change the filters again. We can talk about why, but basically if we are right about what went on, then there are still too many micro-particles circulating. You can re-use the oil if it looks ok as long as it doesn't/didn't get dirt or water contaminated.

New oil is better, but to re-use low hour oil that is still good, let the oil settle in a perfectly still clean container for a day or more and then decant the oil carefully to leave 10% behind. If you let it sit several days, that process is actually better at removing fine particles than most filters can do.

I'm glad this worked out. Those L39s are great machines. No reason why they can't last a lifetime.
rScotty

Thanks for your wisdom.
I was already thinking the same my self. There was still a bunch of that dirty fluid in my valves and lines and cylinders, front grapple cylinders also. Yes its demoralizing to have to spend that money again, but I will probably do it. Im not likely to hit another 25-50 hrs for a few months at least, maybe a year. So I got time to save up and do it right. Im assuming I cant change the filters without draining the fluid.

 

[DivineL39]

That looks like a nice machine.
I have it's slightly older/bigger brother 250 hr. L48 TLB

I bet that thing is a brute. L47 or L48 was my first interest, I wasn't able to find one.
Still payed out the a$s for my L39.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Good for you. The chattering was probably partial engagement of the hydraulic clutch packs in the GlideShift. And the only way that can happen is if the suction filters (BTW, they are all suction filters) were clogged to the point that they were starving the hydraulic pump. That causes cavitation on the pump face and micropitting which leads to failure. You may have just caught it in time....it sounds like you did. And if so you just avoided a VERY expensive transmission and hydraulic pump job.

I am sorry to say what I'm about to, because I'm afraid you are going to hate what I'm going to say next.... But I recommend that you do another complete filter change within the next 25 to 50 engine hours. Definitely change the filters again. We can talk about why, but basically if we are right about what went on, then there are still too many micro-particles circulating. You can re-use the oil if it looks ok as long as it doesn't/didn't get dirt or water contaminated.

New oil is better, but to re-use low hour oil that is still good, let the oil settle in a perfectly still clean container for a day or more and then decant the oil carefully to leave 10% behind. If you let it sit several days, that process is actually better at removing fine particles than most filters can do.

I'm glad this worked out. Those L39s are great machines. No reason why they can't last a lifetime.
rScotty

Let the oil from the 50 hour change on my Gl3130GST settle for several weeks and it was surprising the amount of material that settled out and the settled oil at a metallic sheen. The oil got handed down to the old MF35 and the chainsaw bar oil got cut with it for winter use. Do not care what Kubota says on the 50 hour change on just doing the filter, I do filter and oil every time and the L3130 GST had quicker shifts and less chirp from the clutches in higher gears.

David

 

[Smokeydog]

Good observations of the importance of proper maintenance.

Traded for a 2013 M59 with 1050 hours with factory hydraulic and HST filters. No maintenance service to the hydraulic system. Took a chance. Hydraulic Oil had some amber color but operated well. Had Kubota dealer do the service and asked for evaluation. Oil and filters (3) definitely needed changed. By far not the worse they have seen and recommended following up normal routine maintenance. Coming up on 200 hours since then. Thinking about best to change just the HST filter or full service given the history. Your experience and peer review makes me lean toward the latter.

 

[DivineL39]

Good observations of the importance of proper maintenance.

Traded for a 2013 M59 with 1050 hours with factory hydraulic and HST filters. No maintenance service to the hydraulic system. Took a chance. Hydraulic Oil had some amber color but operated well. Had Kubota dealer do the service and asked for evaluation. Oil and filters (3) definitely needed changed. By far not the worse they have seen and recommended following up normal routine maintenance. Coming up on 200 hours since then. Thinking about best to change just the HST filter or full service given the history. Your experience and peer review makes me lean toward the latter.

Im no expert, But I can confidently say you cannot go wrong with new fluid. How long ago was the fluid put in? Was it the superUDT 2, IF not It might be worth it just to get the upgraded fluid.

 

[Smokeydog]

3.5 years. It was super UDT, not positive SUDT 2 but think so. I’ve got a 5gallon bucket in the shed I could check. Evaluating if the M59 could replace an older M5030DT reason for the low hours. Pros and cons for each. Decided on keeping the M59. Smaller and easier to operate.

Long ago I remember caterpillar testing and finding oil in their machines was cleaner than new oil. So if low hour oil was drained for service it was saved and reused. Don’t think our tractors have the same level of filtration?

 

[s219]

I have reused good hydraulic oil that was drained from equipment for repairs, fixing leaks, etc. If you know it's low hour and good, no reason to toss it. Just put it in clean buckets and then you can pour it through a filter when putting back in the equipment. Paper filters for paint sprayers work well and are cheap. They are cone-shaped to drop into a funnel.

Some repairs, even changing filters, can be done without draining all the oil and without losing too much. There are tricks involved. I can do a hydraulic filter change on a tractor and lose less than a quart of hydraulic oil, sometimes less than a cup.

 

[Fallon]

Thanks for your wisdom.
I was already thinking the same my self. There was still a bunch of that dirty fluid in my valves and lines and cylinders, front grapple cylinders also. Yes its demoralizing to have to spend that money again, but I will probably do it. Im not likely to hit another 25-50 hrs for a few months at least, maybe a year. So I got time to save up and do it right. Im assuming I cant change the filters without draining the fluid.

Put a shop vac on the fill port. The vacuum in the tank will keep oil from commong out when you pull off a filter, or even the drain plug.