Sounds Expensive

dannydan3 · Apr 30, 2007

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 · Apr 30, 2007

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 · Apr 30, 2007

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 · May 1, 2007

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 · May 1, 2007

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 · May 7, 2007

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 · May 8, 2007

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 · May 8, 2007

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 · May 8, 2007

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 · May 8, 2007

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.