Oil & Fuel Bx-24 blew rear axle seal

[Kubotamanjh]

I went out to the barn and saw the entire floor covered in hydraulic oil (been sitting a couple days) and started looking for any drips. The inside of the left wheel was clean and glossy, then I noticed the seal was all the way out of the axle and all the fluid had leaked out. I looked closely at the seal and saw no damage? I pushed it back in and it seated firmly in place, I refilled with super udt. I checked the vent plug and I could blow through it. I'm not real sure how this seal could have come out? That's why I thought I would post on here and see if anyone else has had an issue like this. It has a little over 400 hours on it, and last week I had been using it to dig a 100ft trench 3 ft deep for a water line. Let's see what you guys think.

 

[CHDinCT]

Not really sure what would cause your seal to blow out but over pressure would seem to explain it. I am interested in where the vent is however. Been told it's the red button under the top link bracket, but examining that button leaves me stumped.

 

[Kubotamanjh]

The red button is more of a indicator of location I guess. I took a flat head screw driver and pried up below the red cap where it seats in the top of the case. Attached to it is a small white tube. I wish I had taken a picture or two. I know there has been some discussion on here about what the red button does. Laughing. I will try to take some pictures of what it looks like removed tommorow.

 

[fish6942]

I came across a nearly identical situation a couple of days ago. The BX2350 got parked after a few hours of mowing. Go out the next day and there is a pond of UDT under the tractor. A little investigation uncovered an outer axle seal that came unseated.

As mentioned above, I'm also assuming it was due to excess pressure. I removed the breather, soaked it in solvent and when blowing into it, it will pass some air but not freely. Does anyone know how much restriction is normal on these breathers?

 

[radioman]

forgive me - I have not looked at mine for that breather-- are you referring to one under red cap? pics?

 

[fish6942]

forgive me - I have not looked at mine for that breather-- are you referring to one under red cap? pics?

If we're talking about the same red cap, it is part of a "breather tube" that slides into a larger rubber grommet. It's located beneath the mount for the 3PH top link.

 

[Kubotamanjh]

I came across a nearly identical situation a couple of days ago. The BX2350 got parked after a few hours of mowing. Go out the next day and there is a pond of UDT under the tractor. A little investigation uncovered an outer axle seal that came unseated.

As mentioned above, I'm also assuming it was due to excess pressure. I removed the breather, soaked it in solvent and when blowing into it, it will pass some air but not freely. Does anyone know how much restriction is normal on these breathers?

I was able to push the seal back in and reseat after calling the dealer ( which they stated it just presses in and stays) and removing the rear wheel. Next I pulled the breather plug (red cap and tube) and was able to blow through it with a little restriction. I cleaned it and could blow through it with the same amount of restriction by mouth. I reinstalled and haven't had a problem since? Not sure exactly what caused the seal to come out? It was a pretty costly expense due to a 5 gallon bucket of super udt at $128.

 

[fish6942]

I was able to push the seal back in and reseat after calling the dealer ( which they stated it just presses in and stays) and removing the rear wheel. Next I pulled the breather plug (red cap and tube) and was able to blow through it with a little restriction. I cleaned it and could blow through it with the same amount of restriction by mouth. I reinstalled and haven't had a problem since? Not sure exactly what caused the seal to come out? It was a pretty costly expense due to a 5 gallon bucket of super udt at $128.

I know it's hard to quantify the amount of restriction when blowing into the breather, but when I blow into mine there is only a very small amount of air coming out. Although if the purpose is just to equalize the pressure inside the case there isn't a need for much volume moving through it. Guess I should just replace it and call it good.

 

[15pbc]

I just had the exact same thing while mowing yesterday. I was looking at where I had cut and saw a thin, dark stripe all along my paths. Parked, pulled the left rear wheel (hoping it was tire ballast fluid) and just like the others the seal was hanging on the smaller diameter section of the axle shaft and the ball bearing was exposed. I pushed it back in but the fit didnt seem very tight. Should we put some kind of sealant on the OD of the seal ***'y before pushing it in? Or is the seal popping out a pressure relief of some sort, or a poor design? All axle seals I've encountered before were very tight fits, a mallet or press was required to put them in place, not just two fingers. I sure don't want to pour in $100+ of fluid just to have it pop out again.

 

[Kubotamanjh]

I just had the exact same thing while mowing yesterday. I was looking at where I had cut and saw a thin, dark stripe all along my paths. Parked, pulled the left rear wheel (hoping it was tire ballast fluid) and just like the others the seal was hanging on the smaller diameter section of the axle shaft and the ball bearing was exposed. I pushed it back in but the fit didnt seem very tight. Should we put some kind of sealant on the OD of the seal ***'y before pushing it in? Or is the seal popping out a pressure relief of some sort, or a poor design? All axle seals I've encountered before were very tight fits, a mallet or press was required to put them in place, not just two fingers. I sure don't want to pour in $100+ of fluid just to have it pop out again.

When I pushed my seal in it also slid back in with 2 fingers. I didn't use any silicone but if it ever happens again I probably will. I have around 400 hours on my machine and it has only happened once.

 

[15pbc]

I talked to a mechanic at my dealer and he said the same as Kubotamanjh's dealer, it just pushes into position with finger pressure and is supposed to stay, but occasionally they don't. He also said if it wasn't secure he would suggest putting some gasket sealant on it. So I've ordered a tube of Loctite® Superflex RTV SILICONE Sealant Number 30560 and will clean the seal and outer axle housing, then put some sealant on the seal's OD before pushing it into place. I'm going to feel the RH seal for tightness too, and if it's not real snug I'll put sealant on it too. BTW I pulled out the red vent, cleaned and blew into it, there wasn't much airflow but there shouldn't need to be much, I would think.

I'm a little disapointed in Kubota for not putting sealant on these at the factory. Their dealers clearly know about it and what would it cost for the guy assembling the axle to put a dab of sealant on? $0.05?

 

[netxtown]

Ok...I read all the way through. Had exact same issue.

Waited till it warmed up...then pulled the wheel...and ....uh....the seal has pulled itself back into place??? I KNOW it was setting out a good 1/2 - 3/4" ! And although it pulled itself back in...it didn't refill the UDT! I put in 2.5 gals and it still is hungry for more. Mowed an acre....and it's still seated.

How in the wide wide world of really weird stuff did it re-seat itself?? I scratched my head, my butt, and.....well can't tell everything.....and i still haven't a clue as to how it reseated itself.