New BX problem?

r0GuE · May 24, 2001

My BX showed up yesterday and I noticed when it is running and I crouch down behind it I hear a hissing (maybe slight grinding, rattle sound) it is higher pitched and I was concerned. I shut it down and checked the rear dip stick and I found just a hint that the fluid was even touching the stick.
Is the sound normal. Should I just add fluid. Was any damage done by the fluid being low? (well below the low mark). The tractor has just 0.5hrs on it.
HELLLLP!!
I asked the delivery boy to send a mechanic today. They were closed when he delivered it.

Rogue

richfromPA · May 24, 2001

hey rogue,
dont worry about it alot, it is under warranty. my bx has some weird noises that im sure are normal. as far as the fluid on the dipstick, are you positive you can see it well enuff? i havent even checked mine but i hear the dipstick color and the fluid color make it hard to see well. if it is messed up the dealer will fix it. i would double check the fluid level and look in the book. if you never had a hydrastatic trans and hydraulics on a tractor you have alot of new kinds of noises to get used to

r0GuE · May 24, 2001

Yeah it's there but barely. Just a hint on the end of the stick. Is the sound normal?? I dunno. If yours makes the sound but you have not checked the lavel, maybe you should ;^)

Rogue

tcarter1 · May 24, 2001

I believe the noises are normal. In regards to the fluid level, I had the same circumstance when mine was delivered. The level barely caught the end of the dipstick. I went back to the dealer, he gave me some more, no further problem. At the 50 hour service, I put 2.7 gallons back in. The dipstick measured the same as when delivered. I think there is a misprint in the manual.

Anonymous Poster · May 24, 2001

I had the same noise and fluid level problem I topped off the fluid and I think the noise has left or I just don't notice it anymore, my BX runs great and is a real work horse.

DaveNH · May 24, 2001

I too had the same low level when I checked it myself.
I surmised that the FEL was mounted "dry" and the low level was the result of the oil being sent to the empty cylinders. I had to add about a quart to bring it up to the marks.

We're all in this together! (3)
Executive Ex-Yuppie Tractor Owner
[Advertise your business here]Edited by DaveNH on 05/24/01 11:30 AM (server time).

r0GuE · May 25, 2001

My dealer sent his mechanic and when we checked the fluid with the deck down and cold engine there was essentially NO fluid on the stick. 3/4 of a quart later it was overfull. So he had to let some out. I would guess a 1/2 quart is the difference between nothing on the stick and just right.
Anyways we started the tractor and there was no noise BUT when we pulled the lever back to bring up the deck and the lever did the autoreturn to the centered position the noise began. I think it sounds like gears meshing loudly, the mechanic feels its just a loose something or other rattling. He is probably right but they are bringing me a new tractor anyways because I don't want this one at all.

Rogue

TresCrows · May 25, 2001

I doubt anything is wrong with the tractor other than it being new but if they get you another and it makes the same or similar noise then you will know for sure. All kinds of funny noises come from these tractors. I also doubt, even if it turns out the unit was defective, that it had anything to do at all with being so slightly low on fluid for such a short time. What happened is that the manual may be wrong on amount of fluid or when the FEL was connected it took up some of the fluid. I doubt it was a big deal. J

kerr · May 25, 2001

Boy i tell ya what,that dealer would for sure think i had just jumped the wall from the funny farm.No pre delivery check!!!!Low on oil,funny noises,No way sports fan,i would drive a 100 miles to a diff. dealer first.Hope it all works out for ya fella.

Anonymous Poster · May 26, 2001

I'll tell you exactly what you are hearing on your BX. It is the driveline between the engine and transmission chattering, mine has done it since new and is only noticeable at low engine rpms when the machine is at a standstill. I have pointed it out to my dealer and had a factory rep look at it too. I'm still waiting for an answer but personally I don't think there is much that can be done for it without redesigning the shaft and couplings. If you reach up and grab the shaft when the machine is off and shake the end play you'll hear the sound and see that it just sort of floats between the engine and transmission couplings. My dealer tried packing some grease in behind the rubber dust boots since they are assembled dry with no lubrication. It worked for a short time until all the grease slung out of the boot. I don't think this will lead to any immediate failure but over the long term I am concerned about wear to the components. I had an old 72 cub cadet with a similar arrangement on the engine end of the shaft and was prone to wearing out every few years. Maybe Kubota has used superior materials here and if they have done long term durability tests and proven well then maybe there is nothing to be concerned about here. I do find the noise annoying and can usually get rid of it by simply raising the rpm slightly. It does only make the chattering sound when the machine is at a standstill and there is no load or tension on the driveshaft. I do think that Kubota could have done better on the design and hopefully they have already taken note of this and are working on a cure. I'll bet almost every BX out there has this noise but this is only the second time I have seen someone post about it.

TresCrows · May 26, 2001

I do not think mine makes that particular noise but it does make a bunch of funny noises--it is a tractor--not a Lexus. Tractors make noises. If my Tundra did all that I would be worried, my 'bota--no--it is a tractor and for the most part all those noises we tractor newbies are hearing are normal. J

r0GuE · May 26, 2001

Trescrows, I understand what you are saying but I think if you heard it you would say "jeesh thats messed up". It sounds likea can of nuts being shaken and it is very repeatable when lifting the deck at low RPM.
They pulled down another and it had a hint of the noise. They pulled down a third and it did not do it. That tractor will be delivered Tuesday!! "grin"

Rogue

TresCrows · May 27, 2001

Roque, do not think I am flaming you but it is unlikely that three could be defective. I figure that they are just new and need some use. Of course, yours may well have had a problem and I certainly hope the new unit works out for you. My tractor makes all kinds of noises, most are swishing, whirring noises and whinning noises. Someday we will have to get a manual on these things and study up on what goes on in their inards that contributes to the assemblage of noises. The 7500 I demoed made about the same noises by the way, it kinda made a tick, tick, tick sound whereas my BX goes tock, tock, tock /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif . Take care, my fingers crossed for you. J

r0GuE · May 27, 2001

No worries Trescrow! I don't think it is defective either. I think it is just a quirk in the machine. The first I had (and still have for now) is loud. The second they pulled down was a faint hint of that sound. So only 2 machines. The third does not make it at all. I am relitivly certain that it is not a major defect. That said, my $10,000.00 lawnmower (for now I only have the 60" deck as an implement) will not make the noise. Of course mabey it will after a few dozen hours. That would be ok. I just hate to hear an offensive sound like that and have the delivery boy in the driveway still. He was from their New Holland shop and he said "jeesh thats messed up".

Rogue

Anonymous Poster · May 28, 2001

Ours makes a similar nose but seemed less noticeable after a few hours (or I'm going deaf). I was of course concerned, went down and listened to a few others and all the others had the noise.

I just tell people that Kubota has found no way to keep the turbocharger vanes from rattling when they are not under load from the exhaust /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

del

kerr · May 28, 2001

This is easy,get the quite one just like everone else would!As your common sence tells ya.Let the daredevels try to ignore them strange noises.my 2 common cents.

Myles · May 28, 2001

Ok, now my wife is ready to sell the BX. First I'm out playing and joyriding and "working", now this thread has me out there "listening" to my tractor.....

"What are you doing dear?"

"I'm listening to my tractor."

Not to worry yet...I haven't heard it speaking so far.... No really "strange noises" Some whines at certain rpm's.....I think I better try listening to my wife....or at least look as if I am

r0GuE · May 28, 2001

Whines and hisses are definatly normal. Remeber, bucket of bolts is what we are talking about. I'm sure yours is fine.

Rogue

TresCrows · May 29, 2001

Here is what I think is happening that causes the sound you here. It is just a guess on my part and I full admit I am not up to speed on the inards of a BX or any tractor for that matter so it is an extrapolation of what I know about aircraft hydro pumps and systems. The transmission consists of two rotary piston pumps, one is fixed displacement pump and the other is a variable displacement hydro motor ( a pump driven by another pump) via a swash plate mechanism connected to the hydro pedal. I believe there to be a third pump mechanism, the pump for the hydrualic output and this is probably a fixed displacement pump which on the BX delivers 5.5 GPM at working RPM which I figure from the manual on the loader occurs at 1800-2200 RPM on the engine. Since it is fixed displacemnt it's output can be low at idle and rather high at full engine speed. I figure there is a Loading valve (not FE loader valve) and also a pressure relief and or bypass valve which allows excess fluid to bypass preventing over pressure at full engine speeds or in event of an obstruction. The 3-way/4-way valve is also a loading valve which allows the open center-continuous flow to be directed to the cylinders on the FE loader or accessory. The Hydrualic steering is also powered by this (3rd?) pump and the 3-point arms and the mower lift which operates without the accesory 3/4 way valve being installed are powerd by this pump as well. That is why I figure there is another loading valve which is actuated by the lever on the right hand fender to power those items. Since the disturbing noise--the can of rocks rattle--was on a new unit with possibly slightly low fluid and occured at or near idle I figure this internal loading valve is the culprit. It is new, stiff and not designed to operate at low engine RPMs so it chatters. If the fluid is low some air may be into the system also compounding the valves problems. Time, proper fluid level and the engine operating at a normal working speed--1600 to wide arse open the valve should not rattle and will operate correctly. That is my guess on the "noise" and is why I figure it is a normal condition. We generally do not allow our pumps on aircraft to do such things cuz they cost more than a truck load of BX's and lives may hang in the balance but for a tractor the occasional chatter due probably to low RPM more than anything is of no real concern. I could be entirely wrong and freely admit at not being a tractor mechanic--just my best guess as to what the noise might actually be without knowing more. J

r0GuE · May 29, 2001

We thought it may have been air in there somewhere as a possibility also. You could be right. You bring up an interesting (to me anyways) question. I'll put it under a new thread so others can see it (search it).

Rogue