What to do after rollover and hydrolock

   / What to do after rollover and hydrolock
  • Thread Starter
#21  
I recently rolled my Kubota BX24 while going down a steep decomposed granite hill. brakes just caused skidding, hydrostatic transmission didn't do any braking, it acted like it was in neutral. I tried to make a slight turn to take the steepness out of it, wrong decision. Rolled it, I jumped/catapulted off landed on my hip, fractured it in 2 places. As I laid in bed for several days, i recounted all the things I did wrong.
The tractor laid almost upside down for 3 days before some friends were able to winch it back up the hill to almost level ground. They tried to start it, but there was just clicking noise, like a dead battery. I read many forums about what to expect next. After sitting upright for about 5 weeks, I was able to go evaluate the problem. There was oil coming out of the exhaust pipe and the air cleaner was saturated with oil. I removed the glow pugs and turned it over by hand. So far so good. I engaged the starter and it looked like 3 tiny oil wells pumping oil out of the openings. I did this off and on until just a vapor came out. reinstalled the glo plugs and started it up with billows of smoke for several minutes. I drove it back to it's parking space but it ran very rough and still smoked. I changed the oil and filter and trans filter and topped off the radiator. I am wondering if a lot of oil went into the muffler and it might be causing the smoke and rough running (I ordered a new muffler), or if a rod was bent during the Clicking part of trying to start it. I am just barely a shade tree mechanic and don't have the experience to tear the engine down. Does it sound like I should go to the dealer and fork over my IRA to get it repaired, or do the forum members have other ideas?
P.S. iam still using a walker and a cane to get about.
Sorry to hear you broke your hip- very painful- but glad you're still around to write about it
It's been 6 years since I rolled mine and I've amassed an incredible amount of experience since then
The most important piece of advice I can give you is to never go to the dealer for repairs
Take the time to find an independent mechanic- preferably one that has experience with Kubotas
They are out there although they can take some time and effort to find
When you find a good and honest one, treat him like you would your best friend
Have him take a look and see what if anything needs to be fixed
 
   / What to do after rollover and hydrolock #22  
If she's starting good and your not hearing any unuasual noises or knocking.
Run her and do a bit of light work and see how it goes if it handles the light work make her do some hard work and and see how it does.
A compression test could help evaluate the engine health, low compression could indicate a bent rod.
Also with the injectors or glow plugs removed if a dial indicator can be set up to check for the piston height at TDC will show if a rod is bent.
It is nice that your friends got it back on it's wheels it's a shame they had to try and start it without removed the glow plugs or injectors.
Also it could be just a plugged/clogged injector.
Otherwise pulling the head and verifying the stroke and height of the top of each piston is the same at TDC and BDC is the most surefire way to check for a bent rod.
 
   / What to do after rollover and hydrolock #23  
The most important piece of advice I can give you is to never go to the dealer for repairs

I think that may be a second "most important" piece of advice...

Most important being: Wear you seat belt as much as possible, ESPECIALLY if on slopes, and double that if the ground is wet or moist, etc.

The ROPS can act as a mouse trap, with you being the mouse pinned between the ROPS and the ground!

I find myself giving unsolicited fatherly advice as I get older...LOL
 
   / What to do after rollover and hydrolock #24  
A tractor on its side can have a runaway engine too. You were wise to shut off the engine quickly. Hydrolock can bend connecting rods but diesel engine components are very rugged. Kubota makes a very good engine. You're probably going to be fine. For extra peace of mind you could run the engine for a while and have an oil sample analyzed - $40 ... Free Test Kits | Blackstone Laboratories
 
   / What to do after rollover and hydrolock #25  
As for oil leaking past the rings on a diesel, some older ones had a runaway problem from worn rings allowing the engine to burn it's lubricating oil.
 
   / What to do after rollover and hydrolock #26  
To stop a run-away diesel, it is my understanding you've got to stop the air flow into the engine by blocking the air intake -- with something other than your hand! I haven't experienced this situation, personally...
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

New Holland TS6. 120 Tractor (A50322)
New Holland TS6...
CASE DAVID BROWN 990 TRACTOR (A50459)
CASE DAVID BROWN...
2017 Ford F-450 Crew Cab Mason Dump Truck (A50323)
2017 Ford F-450...
1998 Peterbilt 379 Dump Truck, VIN # 1NP5LU9X2WN481622 (A48836)
1998 Peterbilt 379...
2017 Ford F-550 Valve Maintenance Truck (A50323)
2017 Ford F-550...
2004 TRAILKING 101" X 53' STEP DECK TRAILER (A50459)
2004 TRAILKING...
 
Top