L245 FP Hydraulic problem

IBPALLETS · Apr 24, 2004

This old unit works fine when cold but when it warms up there is a vibrating noise from the hydraulic line[you can feel a vibration] Lift will not raise properly at that point. Fluid is up to spec level. I can not find a filter or screen on this tractor and no reference to one in the manual. Is it pump replacement time ? Or could there be another cause.
Tom

IBPALLETS · Apr 24, 2004

Priced pump at dealer. Second question . Are these pumps rebuildable or after years of wear is it better to replace with new?
Tom

B2400 · Apr 24, 2004

I'm not real sharp when it comes to pumps, but I believe there is a wear plate at the end of the pump gears which is easily replaceable. The only way to tell if the pump body is shot would be to take it apart and check all the clearances to see if they are in spec. It is also possible that you have a pressure relief valve hanging up.

5030 · Apr 24, 2004

IBPALLETS:

First off, you need a shop manual, re-print or a downloadable pdf file or get to a dealer and find out the wear limits on the rotor to end plate as well as the rotor to body clearance. The vibration is cavitation. Do you have enough fluid in the unit as well as the right type? Id do a fluid change as well as filters before getting into the pump.

IBPALLETS · Apr 24, 2004

Thanks for the replys. I have a owners manual. It has a complete tractor parts explosion. No where do I see a filter or screen except for engine oil and fuel. The maintenance section calls for changing transmision oil 50/300 hrs [SAE 80 ]but no mention of screen/filter maintenance. Tractor has 578 original hrs. I have had for two years but have not changed trans/oil or added and it is at correct level. Added a quart just to see if that was it . Its not low. Trans oil change may be solution. If not its in the pump The vibration noise does sound like it is coming from the pump area . Will pull and have a look .But Im still stumped why no screen or filter.
Tom

B2400 · Apr 24, 2004

80 wt oil seems awfully heavy to be used as hydraulic fluid. I would research that a little before changing the fluid as most hydraulic oil is in the neighborhood of 20wt I believe.

nobull1 · Apr 24, 2004

Here is a chart that is useful when checking oils of different specs

kubmech · Apr 24, 2004

That unit has a suction screen located at the right rear side of the tractor, it's the really big (23mm?)nut looking thing screwed in to the large hard line going in to the trans, if that is gummed up or there is a suction leak, you will see what you have described. As far as the pump rebuild, you're most likely out of luck. The pump most Kubotas use is made of aluminum and the most common wear point is in the housing itself, once that is worn ( most pump failures, that is what it is) then a new pump is the only way to go.

dieseltoys · Apr 25, 2004

I used to have a L245DT. When I purchased the unit used it had only 120hrs on it and I found the hydralics really slow in the cold. I'm sure it had the 80wt in it so I changed the trans fluid over to TDH fluid and ran it for another 1000 hrs without any trouble. There is a strainer screen in the lower part of the transmission, I think I remeber it being behind a small cap with two bolts holding it in on the left side rather than a plug. The easy way to find the location is that it is directly opposite of where the suction tube for the pump connects to the transmission. When you go to drain the fluid be sure not to miss the two drain plugs on each of the final drive housings either.

IBPALLETS · Apr 25, 2004

Thanks for the replies. I think we are getting some where. My supply line has two bolts [not one 23mm] and opposite side of housing has cover with two bolts. My model must be the same as Dieseltoys described. Bingo ,I found the filter in the "Transmission case group" drawings instead of the " oil pressure group" drawings. And there is no mention of the filter service in the service /change trans/oil portion of the manual.
I have read several suggestions here and other threads when changing this oil to switch to hydraulic oil but not back to 80sae as in manual. I need specifics as I don't know what TDH oil is. I use AWG32 in my forklifts. Is that the same thing ?
I am in process of draining oil & cleaning filter now.