My kubota B2320 was delivered today...have hydraulic question

[DavidPR]

I bought a 2010 Kubota B2320HSD with 256 hours on it two weeks ago from my local Kubota dealer who took it in on trade. They delivered it today and when he took it off the truck I saw a puddle under the back, it was hydraulic fluid. It came from the hose connector that serves the 3 point hitch. It leaked (and shot out) when he raised the 3 point hitch. The guy tightened it and stopped the leak (just for now probably). We checked the transmission dipstick and the fluid barely registered on the dipstick. The amount that leaked out only looked like maybe a pint or a little more. The tractor specs show that the transmission fluid capacity is 4 gallons.

I had them install a Third Function Valve, but nothing is hooked to it. Out of the 4 gallon capacity, how much fluid would be represented from the bottom of the dipstick to the full line?

And am I correct that the transmission fluid also operates the tractor's hydraulic functions?

Thanks.

 

[diesel85]

I would assume that the dealer did a full service and run over before delivery.

Now is the time to inquire with the dealer about the fluid loss. They at least owe you a couple quarts.

The sight mark is hard to see because the fluid is clear. So it may take a couple attempts for you to see it. Also, make sure you check it on a fairly level surface.

At this point, I'd be sitting there going through the machine with a fine tooth comb.

Check your filters. You can tell when a filter hasn't been changed too. Look for the obvious.

 

[DavidPR]

Yeah, with this leak occurring immediately after coming off the truck I am of course worried. It'll be on my mind for some time that maybe I bought a lemon - at least until I've used it a while without any incident. The filters were all changed out about a year ago. The date they were last changed were written on the filters. It was a one owner tractor, who as it turned out lived about 3 miles from me. I don't know that much about hours, but I thought 256 hours for a 10 year tractor wasn't too bad. He always stored it inside, it looks like new. He traded it in on a bigger tractor. The dealer was the original dealer for the tractor.

I drove it 30' into my shop and parked it. I didn't want to run it with the fluid low. I'm going tomorrow to get more fluid.

 

[wdchyd]

I have the same tractor, I wouldn’t worry about it but keep an eye on that fluid level. Buy the good oil from Kubota ($$$), your tractor will thank you later.

 

[DavidPR]

Yes, I'm going to the dealer in the morning to get a gallon or two of the hydraulic oil - Kubota UDT or the Super UDT.

 

[DMW]

You can ignore, thought it was a BX.

 

[wdchyd]

If you were up north I’d say the SUDT cuz it is watery thin for freezing cold trumps, but you in AL might be ok to use the reg UDT. Your dealer will know what’s best.

 

[rScotty]

I bought a 2010 Kubota B2320HSD with 256 hours on it two weeks ago from my local Kubota dealer who took it in on trade. They delivered it today and when he took it off the truck I saw a puddle under the back, it was hydraulic fluid. It came from the hose connector that serves the 3 point hitch. It leaked (and shot out) when he raised the 3 point hitch. The guy tightened it and stopped the leak (just for now probably). We checked the transmission dipstick and the fluid barely registered on the dipstick. The amount that leaked out only looked like maybe a pint or a little more. The tractor specs show that the transmission fluid capacity is 4 gallons.

I had them install a Third Function Valve, but nothing is hooked to it. Out of the 4 gallon capacity, how much fluid would be represented from the bottom of the dipstick to the full line?

And am I correct that the transmission fluid also operates the tractor's hydraulic functions?

Thanks.

If you can see the fluid on the dipstick at all then I think you are OK. DIpsticks are usually set up to measure the last 25% of the fluid at most, not the entire amount of fluid. So chances are good nothing was fluid starved if you could see it on the dipstick.
It is difficult to see the fluid level on most Kubota dipsticks. There's been lot of posts on that. Let it cool, and do it several times to be sure.

Yes, it is common for the transmission and the hydraulics to share the same sump and same fluid - in fact, often the power steering also shares the same fluid as well. That's why you use a trans/hydraulic fluid like UDT or Super UDT. Super is better for cold weather. You don't need the Super UDT in Alabama, but there is no downside other than it costs more.

I wish it hadn't leaked, but bet it didn't leak much or the mechanic would have seen it. Probably tightening that hose was all it needed. Chances are good he removed it for the 3rd function valve install and didn't retighten. If it was mine, I'd mention it to him and the dealer just to cover yourself, but not worry about it if you can still see fluid on the dipstick.
rScotty

 

[mike paulson]

David PR. Your worrying over nothing. It was a loose fitting. It's tight now and all will be good. Barely showing on the dipstick isn't a problem either. Add a 1/2 qt at a time till in the zone. Now, enjoy your new tractor

 

[DavidPR]

I went to my dealer's parts dept. and told them what happened and that the guy that delivered it said that I could get some hydraulic fluid to put in it. Another guy, followed by a black lab, walked up to me and started asking questions about what happened. Turned out he was the owner and he was concerned that the tractor made it off the lot in that condition. He said he was sending out a service tech that day to check everything out. He gave me a 2 gallon jug of the UDT and said go ahead an use the tractor if I wasn't going to be using the 3 point hitch...good news because I had 3 dump truck loads of dirt I had to move.

I must say I was surprised because it was a used tractor with no warranty and I only paid a little over $12k for it with a new quick attach bucket, pallet forks, ballast rear tires and the third function valve. That's little money compared to the big stuff on the lot, but the service tech came out, checked everything and all was well. It's nice knowing that they stand behind what they sell and that the tractor was okay. I can do my work now without that nagging thought in the back of my head that I may have bought a lemon.

The tractor did a great job moving the dirt. The ground wasn't level so I had to be careful not to tip it over (light weight and narrow stance). Not being use to the heel pedal for backing up made my right knee hurt, so I had to take a few breaks to walk it out. I've already started thinking about how to fashion a hand lever to operate the reverse pedal. Love the tractor though. looking forward to getting my grapple.

Thanks for all of your replies.