Sounds Expensive

[bird1968]

I second Dan239 statement, the oil expand & goes out the vent.

I must add myself on the list of HST failure. Mine first sign, was the metal shaving,after the 300 hrs mark. It died on me at 450hrs.

I've predict my failure happen when I requested the 50hrs flush, that Kubota recommended.
Please be aware**** my local dealer/ now out of business/ is the one that I put the blame on, not Kubota which repair it under warranty (would have cost $1200).

The dealer did not put in the recomended oil, they went with the plain HST oil (never told me) I ran my machine hard, but with the low quality oil, I'm sure that the plain oil could not keep up with me.

Please do it Yourself...this is the only way to be sure that it done right.

Richard

 

[HomeBrew2]

I do find it interesting that those that have "leaks from under the seat" can't find a probable source. In the past, I've spent a couple of days searching for automotive leaks. It has to come from somewhere if it winds up on the floor!

 

[art]

Sounds to me like you got it hot enough to cause some of the fluid to go out the overflow. I assume yours has an overflow, mine does and it is at the back of the seat right beside the filler plug. This has nothing to do with the relief valve, it is an overflow to get some fluid out when it has too much in it.

Daniel

Good call Dan! When the oil expands from heat it often might get splashed enough to get out the vent.

 

[Tom_H]

I do find it interesting that those that have "leaks from under the seat" can't find a probable source. In the past, I've spent a couple of days searching for automotive leaks. It has to come from somewhere if it winds up on the floor!

I hear what you're saying, but: mine is coming out so fast that I have to choose between letting the hst drain to empty while I look (and take the chance of destroying the hst), or turning it off in hopes of not destroying it. The oil is all over everything and when it's off, there doesn't seem to be a source.

Thing is, mine began from a cold start. The last time I used it I dug hard all day and there were no leaks. Three weeks later, I start up and immediately she is bleeding like a stuck pig.

 

[Glowplug]

I hear what you're saying, but: mine is coming out so fast that I have to choose between letting the hst drain to empty while I look (and take the chance of destroying the hst), or turning it off in hopes of not destroying it. The oil is all over everything and when it's off, there doesn't seem to be a source.

Thing is, mine began from a cold start. The last time I used it I dug hard all day and there were no leaks. Three weeks later, I start up and immediately she is bleeding like a stuck pig.

My guess would be that you damaged some sort of hydraulic hose connection when doing all that heavy ground-engaging work. There just doesn't seem to be any other logical explanation for a "fast" flowing leak from a cold start. You may just have to bite the bullet and get under there (or get someone under there) with a flashlight, a rag, and a piece of cardboard and keep looking 'til you find it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[crazyal]

You should also remember that when oil gets too hot the viscosity is much less than it should be. It can leak out around seals that normally wouldn't leak. I don't think that's what's happening if you can shut it off then start it back up and it stops but you never know. I think I would look to upgrade in size if after the second time or cut back on what you're trying to do.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I hear what you're saying, but: mine is coming out so fast that I have to choose between letting the hst drain to empty while I look (and take the chance of destroying the hst), or turning it off in hopes of not destroying it. The oil is all over everything and when it's off, there doesn't seem to be a source.
Thing is, mine began from a cold start. The last time I used it I dug hard all day and there were no leaks. Three weeks later, I start up and immediately she is bleeding like a stuck pig.

Gee whiz Tom, sorry I didn't get the impression of " oil all over everywhere" initially.

First, and least important comment: I'd buy some cheap hydro fluid and refill so I might be able to get a handle on the leak source.

Second, any chance you have a bad filter, or malfunctioning press relief valve ... remember the guy quite some time ago that was blowing filters, I think maybe out of the gasket ... well, can't remember exactly.

Youall have me slightly worried now at 981 hours

 

[HomeBrew2]

My guess would be that you damaged some sort of hydraulic hose connection when doing all that heavy ground-engaging work. ... .

My first guess would have been blowing a FEL hose or cylinder seal. Seems odd that extreme force on the FEL would cause leaks "from under the seat" unless another, internal, component failed, which seems more coincidental than causal.

 

[KubZilla]

Sounds to me like you got it hot enough to cause some of the fluid to go out the overflow. I assume yours has an overflow, mine does and it is at the back of the seat right beside the filler plug. This has nothing to do with the relief valve, it is an overflow to get some fluid out when it has too much in it.

Daniel

Daniel, thanks for that info. I'll go outside tomorrow and look for that overflow. That makes sense. And did I hear bird1968 say $1200 for repairs? I'm curious if that was for repairs or replacement? And was that on a BX? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks..Mike

 

[rdsaustintx]

This thread has gotten a little strange (even by my standards).

The hydraulic relief valve is internal. If circuit pressure gets too high, a spring-loaded poppet diverts the supply flow back to the sump.

There is ALSO a vent at the top of the HST, just to equalize pressure in tranny as temp varies. Fluid can come out if it is overfilled or VERY hot. But it won't be much.

(2000 BX2200 with about 300 hr.) I noticed hydro fluid leaking from chassis. That line that plugs into loader when on, and back into tractor when off was wet with fluid (just had all quick connect hydro couplers replaced in Feb.)

I would initially be suspicious of the QD work done in February.

Russell in Texas

PS: Be careful - You do NOT want to discover a pinhole pressure leak by accident. Read the manual about looking for leaks.

 

[JerryG]

Kubzilla,
This is just a guess from reading you posts but that is all any of us are doing I guess.
I you don't have a hose or o-ring blown or If you don't have a seal blown on the filter and If you don't have a seal/gasket blown to the outside of the tractor then. You have to have a passageway plugged up or a seal inside blown to cause the mass amount of fluid that you are having show up every where.
A lot of ifs but if you start with the first one and eliminate them as you go like I have them listed, you will be on your way to finding out what is wrong. The outside ones will easy to eliminate yourself.

 

[KubZilla]

Kubzilla,
This is just a guess from reading you posts but that is all any of us are doing I guess.
I you don't have a hose or o-ring blown or If you don't have a seal blown on the filter and If you don't have a seal/gasket blown to the outside of the tractor then. You have to have a passageway plugged up or a seal inside blown to cause the mass amount of fluid that you are having show up every where.
A lot of ifs but if you start with the first one and eliminate them as you go like I have them listed, you will be on your way to finding out what is wrong. The outside ones will easy to eliminate yourself.

JerryG, thanks for that info. Mine hasn't leaked since that day back in March. It may well have gotten hot as I was pushing her to the limit! Not a drop since tho...Mike

 

[Glowplug]

My first guess would have been blowing a FEL hose or cylinder seal. Seems odd that extreme force on the FEL would cause leaks "from under the seat" unless another, internal, component failed, which seems more coincidental than causal.

I was thinking more in terms of something striking underneath the tractor damaging a hydraulic hose or connection.

 

[JerryG]

JerryG, thanks for that info. Mine hasn't leaked since that day back in March. It may well have gotten hot as I was pushing her to the limit! Not a drop since tho...Mike

Wow, I must have missed the date of the leak. Something must have been stuck and it worked it's way loose. Hopefully it won't happen again.

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto... I like to clean all leaks then look for the wet spot to verify where they came from.. vs.. just wildly guessing that it might be some other part of the tractor doing it.. without having any knowledge of how that part may or may not wor.. or if the 2 systems are even related (wink)

Soundguy

I do find it interesting that those that have "leaks from under the seat" can't find a probable source. In the past, I've spent a couple of days searching for automotive leaks. It has to come from somewhere if it winds up on the floor!

 

[dannydan3]

Well, with ankles firmly gripped, I called the dealer for the news. $1700+ for the job - new parts 90 day warranty.
Turns out from reading here that I did everything wrong:

Regular fluid on the third change.
MMM shaft came loose and tore open the filter down there, of course resulting in the loss of all the fluid (didn't notice all the fluid behind me and kept trying to get it back to the garage to take a look at it after the clunking PTO noise till the machine wouldn't move anymore)
Not shutting down when seeing or smelling fluid. (pinhole in the FEL line, leaking quick disconnect)
Continually maxing out the tractor when using the FEL to dig a ditch along the property.
Pulling my huge lawn roller in high gear, stopping so suddenly that it bent the roller connect up in a "V" shape.
Using the grader box on sod at full speed low, after three hours of stump digging. (that's what finally did it)

First tractor - Hard lesson. Now I know...
Thanks everyone and I hope that this will be of use as a list of "don't do this or it will cost you big time" activities.

 

[Glowplug]

Well, with ankles firmly gripped, I called the dealer for the news. $1700+ for the job - new parts 90 day warranty.
Turns out from reading here that I did everything wrong . . .

OUCH!!! That hurt. I feel for ya.

MMM shaft came loose and tore open the filter down there, of course resulting in the loss of all the fluid. . .

I guess I was sort of right.

 

[schrand]

Continually maxing out the tractor when using the FEL to dig a ditch along the property.

I do this regularly when I dig or clear brush or etc.
Is it really harmful? I had always assumed that the pressure relief valve prevented any real harm.
Am I wrong???

 

[Volfandt]

Is it really harmful? I had always assumed that the pressure relief valve prevented any real harm.
Am I wrong???

Yes and no.
No you are not wrong as long as you're using the correct fluids for the tractor. If it calls for SUDT then you should either use SUDT or a comparable mult-grade UDT.

Yes, the pressure relief valve will protect the system, as long as it doesn't malfunction.

Unfortunately for dannydan, it looks like he hit the proverbial perfect storm, and is what caused his HST failure.

 

[HomeBrew2]

... Yes, the pressure relief valve will protect the system, as long as it doesn't malfunction...

Isn't that kindof a yes-and-no also? The PRV only works on a particular circuit when the circuit is in use, so w/ no FEL functions in use, pushing the FEL into undisturbed ground could overload the hoses/cylinders, etc.