Sounds Expensive

[dannydan3]

I was preparing a new home for my BX2200 today, some grading and scraping, etc.
I noticed after pulling a grader box full of dirt that there was a new vibration when moving the tractor, either forward or reverse. I tried both 2 and 4 wheel drive, same thing. When the pedal is fully depressed the vibration goes away, however when slowing to back up or starting forward again, the vibration/shudder is there. I also tried the MMM to see if it was the engine, but that was OK, no shudder.
I also tried high gear, and it was worse.
Anyone else experience this? I hate to think that after 750 hours the tranny could be damaged, I have always been right on top of maintenance and fluid levels.
Any ideas anyone?

 

[Luremaker]

After snow blowing for a few hours this past winter, I noticed vibrating sounds coming from the back of my tractor. For the life of me I could not figure out where it was coming from. Well after 10 minutes of searching and listening I got back on the tractor and swung my self over the back of the seat so that I could listen and while doing that, the sound disappeared. I finally figured out it was the "Caution Slow Moving Vehicle" sign had vibrated loose. Take a quick look it might be something as simple as a loose screw vibrating away.

 

[Volfandt]

When the pedal is fully depressed the vibration goes away, however when slowing to back up or starting forward again, the vibration/shudder is there.

I would suspect something in the driveshaft and/or rear wheel assembly before I would the HST.
Check the HST fan to make sure all the blades are good as a broken blade or two can cause a vibration. Check the driveshaft and make sure teh coupleings are secured tightly at both ends.
Also make sure all the rear wheels are bolted tightly. Loose wheels will cause a bad wobble/vibration too.

Good luck

 

[N80]

The top of my toolbox and the sign on back will set up a whale of a rattle at certain engine speeds. But, it is not a vibration that you can feel. If you are feeling the vibration it is going to be more complicated than the top of the toolbox.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Not to oversimplify, but I was performing snow clearing duties and somewhere along the way plowed into a block of ice from a previous snow. Immediately thereafter, there was this AWFUL clunking sound that happened in forward and reverse.

After about 5 minutes of enduring the sweat grenade of possibly seriously messing up my tractor, I diagnosed that one of my cast wheel weights worked its way loose.

I sincerely hope your issue is something similar. As you already pointed out, breaking open the HST to diagnose sounds expensive.

 

[dannydan3]

Can't be good, took it to the dealer and the three mechanics were standing around it with a "oooh, that doesn't sound good" look on their faces.
My wife's gonna kill me, she doesn't even know it's at the dealer yet....

 

[dannydan3]

Well, looks like it was what I expected, the dealer told me that the HST needs to be replaced. He is pricing a new one instead of trying to fix the existing unit.

The dealer also said that he has never seen one with 750 hours do this before. I have had the experience that when using my grader box or loader, if it's too much for the tractor it will simply spin the tires or bog down.
The dealer even mentioned that is correct, it will either spin the tires or use the release valve.

This really sucks - I took very good care of the little guy even to the point of changing the fluids way before the first scheduled maintainence just to get the "break-in" metal shavings out of it. (not many at all)

Anyone heard of factory defects, or know someone at Kubota that may back up their product in this situation?
The dealer said that is so far out of warranty that Kubota is not likely to fix it.


Thanks

 

[Soundguy]

Good luck... Might want to practice your leg stretches and get a comfy back support belt... you may be doing some ankle grabbing when you find out what a hydro trans costs.

Sorry to hear about your luck.

750 hours ain't even broke in good yet....

Now you know whay i drive machines with gears in the tranny.. not pumps... I've got 61 years on my oldest tractor in my collection... oem trans... still runs good...

Again.. VERY sorry to hear about that. I doubt you did anything to break it.. and i agree.. the relief valve should have protected in in an overload... Still.. 750 hrs is a bit late to be a 'high early failure' type problem.

keep us posted. if they disect the old tranny I'd be REAL interested in knowing what caused it to shell out. My 'guess' right now is a bad bearing.. perhaps caused by a machining / manufacturing defect..either in a pump or a casting..

man... at least it isn't one of the bigger ones.. I've seen some hydro repairs hit 4k+ on the CUT's

Soundguy

 

[KubZilla]

Oh man, that is scary . I helped a friend pour a driveway extension a few months ago. We were using my loader to haul Concrete about 100' from the mixing truck. I had my BH on for counter weight and was using High Range to try to keep up with the crew. We were almost done when I noticed a trail of Hydraulic Fluid on the Driveway. I could tell that it was leaking out from somewhere under the seat, but I could not really pin point it. Since there were only a few loads left, I used Low Range for the remainder of the job and finished up. After getting home and giving my 'Zilla" a good pressure washing, I checked her out and found no more leaks. I guess that the pressure relief valve did its job. Hopefully, I didn't cause any long term damage. Note to self...Never do that again . I would be interested to know how much it will cost for the new transmission...Mike

 

[Volfandt]

Hate to hear it dannydan3. I've not heard of many HST failures in these BX's. Course that don't help you out any.
Wonder why they won't at least try and take a look see or try a rebuild? The WSM details it out very well.

 

[Tom_H]

I could tell that it was leaking out from somewhere under the seat....I checked her out and found no more leaks. I guess that the pressure relief valve did its job....

(2000 BX2200 with about 300 hr.) A month ago, I did a full day of ground engagement loader work with the toothbar. No problems. Sunday, I cranked up to remove loader and tiller, put on MMM. I did lift loader with tb with engine cold at low rpm, immediately after crankup so garage wouldn't fill with sooty exhaust. 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.). Then noticed constant stream of fluid racing along line from near rear of tractor and pouring to ground from beneath seat. As I moved tractor, it made several quite large puddles on garage floor. I am quite nervous about this. I've never had this happen before and didn't know about this pressure valve. Could I have overloaded pressure on hydro system by lifting so quickly before pressure built up? When does the valve close? Any ideas?

( . I would be interested to know how much it will cost for the new transmission...Mike

Me too.

 

[RonR]

I don't know what caused the HST to fail, but I do know from a past life that when an HST is run without oil (like a major leak), they will self destruct in very short order.

First sign or smell of hydraulic fluid, ya gotta shut them down, or it will be expensive.

I feel for ya.

ron

 

[Soundguy]

Any time i see fluid leaking at a QD.. it's best to turn off everything.. release pressure and reseat.

Also.. I don't think there is any 'time' involved in coming up to pressure. Assuming a PD pump.. it is at max pressure immediatly.. and GPM is effected by eng speed.. Also.. the relief valve is probably always closed.. unless you are overloading the system and ten it opens to vent pressure.. etc. I'm not familiar with your tractor.. but that's how most of them work in general terms..

Soundguy

(2000 BX2200 with about 300 hr.) A month ago, I did a full day of ground engagement loader work with the toothbar. No problems. Sunday, I cranked up to remove loader and tiller, put on MMM. I did lift loader with tb with engine cold at low rpm, immediately after crankup so garage wouldn't fill with sooty exhaust. 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.). Then noticed constant stream of fluid racing along line from near rear of tractor and pouring to ground from beneath seat. As I moved tractor, it made several quite large puddles on garage floor. I am quite nervous about this. I've never had this happen before and didn't know about this pressure valve. Could I have overloaded pressure on hydro system by lifting so quickly before pressure built up? When does the valve close? Any ideas?



Me too.

 

[Soundguy]

can cause Cavitation or oil starvation / foaming.... which them snowbalss the effect....

Soundguy

I when an HST is run without oil (like a major leak), they will self destruct in very short order.

First sign or smell of hydraulic fluid, ya gotta shut them down, or it will be expensive.

I feel for ya.

ron

 

[KubZilla]

(2000 BX2200 with about 300 hr.) Then noticed constant stream of fluid racing along line from near rear of tractor and pouring to ground from beneath seat. As I moved tractor, it made several quite large puddles on garage floor. I am quite nervous about this. I've never had this happen before and didn't know about this pressure valve. Could I have overloaded pressure on hydro system by lifting so quickly before pressure built up? When does the valve close? Any ideas?
.

Tom, I have about the same year model and hour total as yours. I couldn't ever see the actual leak, but it seemed to be leaking from under the seat and down the back of the transmission. It leaked about a cup of fluid in a three or four minute period . It continued to leak until I shut it off. As soon as I got home and washed it off, I started it back up, and had no leaks, so I put it to work and found no more leaks. Since I was very close to 300 hours anyway, I changed all the fluids, and they looked fine. It doesn't leak now, and I havn't had any more problems. I was afraid that I had blown a seal or something, but then I read something about the relief valve, and just figured that I got lucky this time. Time will tell...Mike

 

[Soundguy]

Do the hyd reliefs on these tractors vent to outside? From reading a few messages here.. it is apparrent that they do.. or people think they do...

Do they not vent to sump.. like many other brands do? Seems kinda environmentally .. uh.. harsh to have hyd relief valve to vent outside the tractor.???

Soundguy

 

[N80]

Pressure relief valves don't vent fluid out do they? I just assumed they vented it back into the tranny.

Edit: Oops, we had the same thought at the same time. I've had my relief valve kick in many times. Never seen a drop of fluid.

 

[Tom_H]

I need to do startup and see what happens. It surely seems more sensible that the valve would drain back to the reservoir than to the exterior. I'm thinking this is too much of an investment to take a risk on. Sounds like I need to make a trip to the service dept.

 

[KubZilla]

Do the hyd reliefs on these tractors vent to outside? From reading a few messages here.. it is apparrent that they do.. or people think they do...

Do they not vent to sump.. like many other brands do? Seems kinda environmentally .. uh.. harsh to have hyd relief valve to vent outside the tractor.???

Soundguy

I'd love to know where they vent. You are right that it doesn't make sense that they vent outside. But if they don't, then I wonder what was causing the leak under my seat? I'm not sure that I want to hear the answer...Things that make you go Hmmm.

 

[Dan239]

I'd love to know where they vent. You are right that it doesn't make sense that they vent outside. But if they don't, then I wonder what was causing the leak under my seat? I'm not sure that I want to hear the answer...Things that make you go Hmmm.

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