Axle oil level issue - Odd phenomenon

[Kubota512]

Had an earlier post about this, but had to rethink it and start a new post.

The problem:
We add/fill front both axles on a L5450 and the the differential to the proper levels. After operating for a few hours, the level in the differential rises way past the fill level and the level at axle fill plugs is low on both sides.

Repeatedly we have drained the differential to the correct level and put it back in the axles. Work for a few hours and we get the same results. There is an axle seal that separates each axle from the differential. Some how the oil is migrating from the axles to the differential. Both seals were replaced a few days ago with the thought that they might be worn.

We suspect a possible 'suction' process that is pulling the oil from the axles into the differential. We are baffled as to what causes this oil migration in just a few hours time.

Help!

 

[leonz]

As you seem to have planetary axles,
its nothing to worry about.

Just be sure the vent on the front differential
is free of debris and can breath.

Just be sure to have the front wheels at the
proper position to check the fluid levels.:thumbsup:

 

[kjung17]

May, well, be the vent. Does the oil migrate back when the tractor is shut down?

 

[Kubota512]

The differential on ours doesn't have a vent. We have looked for one carefully, and not a sign of one mentioned in the manual.

 

[kuboman]

The differential on ours doesn't have a vent. We have looked for one carefully, and not a sign of one mentioned in the manual.

Get your axles warm and then take out the fill plug on each side to relieve the pressure. I think your axles are getting warmer than the dif plus they have less room for expansion and the oil is getting pushed into the diff with the pressure differential

 

[Kubota512]

We tried an experiment wherein we removed the dip stick and wrapped a cloth over the opening. Ran this way for a few hours (to see if this would relieve the suspected suction factor). drained oil from diff, added to axles got the same results.

The over all concern is that gear pair at the axle joint not getting oil coverage when the level drops too low.

There is a 'weep hole' at the top of the axle joint (I guess that allows for over flow or gas expansion to protect the seals, not sure) that could be path of the oil migration, but hard to think much would go thru there. I will try and post diagrams.

 

[Kubota512]

Get your axles warm and then take out the fill plug on each side to relieve the pressure. I think your axles are getting warmer than the dif plus they have less room for expansion and the oil is getting pushed into the diff with the pressure differential

Thanks! Will try this method and see what happens