Power Steering Hose Failures another question.

SailTrac · Sep 10, 2006

My first power steering hose failure was @ 160 hours, hoses were replaced free of charge by my dealer under warranty. My second power steering hose failure was @ 224 hours. So I did a search on this site and found several people all having the same problem. So rather then call or drive 30 miles to the dealer, I decided to do it myself. I just pulled both hoses off the BX2200 and noticed that along with the pin holes, the fabric cover had left its imprint in the hose cover.

So my question to all of you is, does the BX series need the power steering hoses to be in the fabric tube? Is that how it is in all the other models?

I think the rubbing occurs because the front axle can flex in middle, but wouldn't that be true of other models.

Rather then wait for Kubota to come out with a fix, how about we solve the problem?

Unless I hear a good argument to put the hoes back in the fabric tube I might not.

Thanks for listening.

Mike

TGD · Sep 10, 2006

Well, after reading the various posts about the power steering hoses needing replaced, I have a question to add that I don't recall being directly addressed. Since Kubota does recommend replacement fairly often, and many people seem to have the hoses fail early, is Kobota using a very marginal hyd. hose for the heat and pressure involved? The hoses on my BX2230 do not seem very substantial, they seem more like a real cheap hose not designed to last very long, even under the best conditions. While I have seen hoses burst on other hyd. equipment, they were usually damaged, installed wrong, or very old and rotted. Should the hoses be replaced with better ones (more wire braid/higher psi rated) from a local hyd. hose shop instead factory hoses?

I would think that you should put the hoses back in the sleave they came out of. Usually, a sleve will help hoses last longer when subjected to movement/vibration against some metal part/area. This is not always the case though.

SailTrac · Sep 10, 2006

As an aside, I am not going to the dealer for Kubota OEM power steering hoses. I am getting a new pair from a local shop that all the heavy equipment operators use and recommend in this area.

So where is the wear coming from? From the two hose being run side by side in the fabric tube? I saw the one post from being next to the bolt, but that's not the case with the BX2200, at least on mine.

Maybe the hoses need to be seperated? Having to replace hoses in the span 60 hours in my second failure leads me to believe that root cause is not just bad hoses but that the hose installation itself is causing the failure. Even my financial officer said "what is wrong with your Kubota hoses"?

herringchoker · Sep 10, 2006

After many years owning and operating equipment with hydraulic and/or compressed air systems (including backhoe, front end loader, bulldozer, boom truck, dump truck, ready-mix truck, highway tractor, etc.), I have learned that the most effective way to prevent hoses from chafing is to wrap each hose individually at possible chafe points. For smaller hoses (such as found on CUT's) I use discarded 5/8" heater hose, slit lengthwise and secured with nylon cable ties. (I never throw away used heater hose.) I don't know how the PS hoses run on the BX, but if there is room to do this it should help (if chafing is indeed the problem).

MadReferee · Sep 10, 2006

Using heater hose is a good idea. I used that technique when installing my aux valve for the rear remotes. The supply and power beyond lines were covered with slit heater hose where they rub against the frame.

bigjohnkub · Sep 15, 2006

If the old hoses have DAYCO on them, contact your dealer. New ones are not the same company.

ozzie tractor · Oct 17, 2006

well well well. isnt it interesting what you pick up on the net. kubota have been very tight lipped about this issue out here. yes i suspect the hose is lower quality. they all seem to have the braid inside the hose failing. i now replace all 4 power steer hoses when the first one fails. i use a heavier hose from the local hydraulic hose manufacturer. i also put them back in the sheath, which is a battle with larger hoses i can tell you. i think it is far better to do them all at once and save the frustration and spilt transmission oil from 4 seperate hose failures. they always seem to fail just out of warranty but.

HomeBrew2 · Oct 17, 2006

For those that have followed similar threads, is this mostly a BX 22XX thing or have BX 22 and 23 owners had the same prob? 820+ hrs on my '23 with no failure or leakage.

638 · Oct 17, 2006

350+ Hrs. on my BX23. No problems yet.

Ron

ozzie tractor · Oct 17, 2006

i have only seen it so far on the older 1800's and 2200's (assuming they have the same model No in Australia as everywhere else).

JWE · Oct 18, 2006

i have only seen it so far on the older 1800's and 2200's (assuming they have the same model No in Australia as everywhere else).

My BX2200 Operator's Manual specifies that the power steering lines should be replaced every two years. I suspect that this means that the hoses are likely to fail after two years. That's a pretty short life expectancy for a part that is costly and difficult to replace!

ozzie tractor · Oct 18, 2006

JWE said:
My BX2200 Operator's Manual specifies that the power steering lines should be replaced every two years. I suspect that this means that the hoses are likely to fail after two years. That's a pretty short life expectancy for a part that is costly and difficult to replace!

now there is somrthing i didn't know. that is a real suprise, most hydraulic hoses last for years and years. i have seen many examples over 20 years old and still going. i still think that the hoses are substandard even if kubota say to replace them often, i dont think you should have to.

HomeBrew2 · Oct 18, 2006

Oh boy, my manual says the same. Agree w/ Ozzie and mine won't be replaced w/ factory. ... I'm not at 2 years but at 825 hrs I guess I should be counting my blessings ... well, I am, what an amazing machine!

JWE · Oct 18, 2006

My PS lines are over 3 years old, 250+ hours and I have not had a failure yet. A friend of mine has a BX23 that is a little older than my BX and he has had two failures. He had the dealer replace the hoses and I think he said that it was around $200 per hose (part and labor). I plan to wait for a leak and then replace them all at the same time.

Volfandt · Oct 19, 2006

I asked a similar question awhile back and didn't get a definitive answer as to why the PS hoses in the BX series seems to be the only tractor to require replacement at such a short life span.
I checked mine at the 200 hr mark and found one spot on one of the hoses where it was rubbing against the engine when the BX was at an extreme angle, I moved it out slightly and wrapped the spot with a section of heater hose, hopefully extending it's serviceable life.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...1-gpm-hydraulic-hoses.html?highlight=Volfandt

Volfandt

RonR · Oct 19, 2006

Wow, my BX is 3 yrs old. Guess I'll crawl under there soon and check for chaffing. And you can bet it won't be Bota lines that go back after mine fail--I'll take them to a place that makes lines and be done with it.

Question: how much Super UDT runs out when they break. Is it just what is in the lines, or is it downhill from the reservoir, so it empties even after you shut the BX off????????????????

Ron

cmillsnepa · Oct 22, 2006

RE: BX 2200..I replaced both hoses with OEM hoses ($44.00 total for both) at 667 hrs. Now I think that I should have UP sized them to something else. I did the actual replacing, but is was a bear. Having sold hydraulic hose et al, the extra sleeve of "cordura covering" on each hose is critical to longer life. Really, it's mostly chaffing that kills the hoses, along with heat. The thought of using radiator hose or something like that is actually a good idea, as long as there is room for all this stuff to fit.

638 · Oct 23, 2006

I have to ask those of you that have had power steering hose failures. When you turn the steering wheel to the full lock position left or right, do you hold it there or do you back it off just a little bit so that full pressure is not held on the hoses. In a tight turn, I always back the wheel off just a little bit to relieve pressure. In your car, if you hold the wheel to the lock position, you can hear the power steering pump labor. I would think that it would be hard on the hoses to hold the wheel against the locks.

Ron

ozzie tractor · Oct 24, 2006

638 said:
I have to ask those of you that have had power steering hose failures. When you turn the steering wheel to the full lock position left or right, do you hold it there or do you back it off just a little bit so that full pressure is not held on the hoses. In a tight turn, I always back the wheel off just a little bit to relieve pressure. In your car, if you hold the wheel to the lock position, you can hear the power steering pump labor. I would think that it would be hard on the hoses to hold the wheel against the locks.

Ron

dont know about the driving style because i am the person fixing the things, not driving them. what you say is true but the hose still should be able to handle the load, consider some of the other hydaulic hoses aroud the place on things like logs splitters etc, which spend all day being banged with full pressure, these dont self destruct after 2 years. i stand by my original claim that the hoses are nowhere near good enough for the job. this is a shame because Kubota is a brand I will normally swear blind about how reliable they are.

RobJ · Oct 24, 2006

Where are the hoses failing? in the middle, rubbing, at the fittings.

I agree with others, most hoses die an early age because something pulls them off. they usually die at an old age.