L series front seals

[slan]

Well my baby turned over 600 hours last week and I noticed both front axel seals are starting to leak. Talked to my dealer and I guess it is normal for them to start to seep with any amount of loader work and mine has done its fair share. They suggested that I replace the bearings as when they get a bit of wear it tends to let the shaft tilt a small amount which takes out the new seals faster.
I love this tractor but I think I will switch to gear oil for a while until the leak gets bad enough to do the seals and bearings.
I figure I can get another two years out of it.

Anyone else have the same thing and/or going gear oil a good move?
Thanks....

 

[Verticaltrx]

600hrs is nothing, even with lots of loader work I wouldn't expect to have seal problems. What kind of oil have you been running in the front axle?

 

[slan]

Came with gear oil and changed to super udt at 50 hrs as directed by dealer. Always had box blade and loaded rears when using loader as well.

 

[crazyal]

Do you run your tractor in places where the seals are in mud or water at all? I've heard people say to keep the seal area clean as mud can wear them out. I would only replace the bearings if they look like they are going bad.

 

[teg]

Is it me or does 600 hours seem low to have this problem? What year model is this?

 

[bilrus61]

The right hub on my Kubota L4200 started seeping oil at about 550 hours. I had used it to cross a creek to get gravel on the other side. A few times it went "deep" and got water around the hub while I was crossing with a load of gravel. The hub that was downstream getting the grit kicked up by the upstream tire was the one that leaked. I used it for a couple years that way. I would put a pan under it and it would have like a cup of oil in a month or two in the summer and in the winter wouldn't leak that I could measure. Just a hassle mostly. The newer L series have a re-designed hub on the front axle and I sure hope it lasts longer than my L4200 did and I'm not going to be getting it wet in the creek you can bet on that! Going gear oil is a good move I think.

 

[ColdRider]

Sounds like my Harley stealer, "They all do that."

 

[art]

Try the gear oil! You have had a steady seep for a while and some times you can wash the junk out or put it in further! We've found grass as well as dirt can create this problem.

 

[TripleR]

I have 1200 hours on my 2003 L5030 with no leaks.

 

[bilrus61]

I have 1200 miles on my 2003 L5030 with no leaks.

1200 miles?