Is it better to use gear oil or trans fluid in front axle of FWA Kubotas?

[Oldpath05]

Oldpath--there was a thread not too long ago that dealt with how to fix this type of leak. Seemed pretty straightforward and worth a search to try to track it down. Maybe even start a new thread?

That's what I'm looking for, a straight forward repair on my leaking front end, still searching. Must not be enough people with front end leaking problem.

 

[Oldpath05]

I don't know if tractors have breather valves/vents on the front end or not, I don't think my tractor has one. My ATV had a vent on the front end and rear also, but ATVs travel a lot faster., but where does pressure come from anyways.

 

[Grateful11]

We changed the oil in the front axle of the L3940 this winter and was a bit surprised at how dark it was but we did have a few more hours on the oil change than we should have.

That is cow poop on the inside of the wheel, the whole tractor got it's Spring cleaning last week. It's used nearly everyday 365 days a year but now the MX5100 is taking some of the workload off of it.

Went back with Kubota UDT in both the tranny and the front axle, it's going to get changed again soon to SUDT2. The tractor it now jerkier than ever, wife(farm manager) didn't want spend the extra for SUDT2.

Also 4 old empty oil jugs with the sides cutout makes it a breeze to change and no mess.

 

[5030]

I don't know if tractors have breather valves/vents on the front end or not, I don't think my tractor has one. My ATV had a vent on the front end and rear also, but ATVs travel a lot faster., but where does pressure come from anyways.

Better look harder. Every one of my 12 Kubota's that I've owned in the past 20 years has had a vent on the front axle (4wd), Some are discretely hidden on top. Some use the cable operated 4wd engagement mechanism as a pressure relief, bit they all have it.

We changed the oil in the front axle of the L3940 this winter and was a bit surprised at how dark it was but we did have a few more hours on the oil change than we should have.

That is cow poop on the inside of the wheel, the whole tractor got it's Spring cleaning last week. It's used nearly everyday 365 days a year but now the MX5100 is taking some of the workload off of it.

Went back with Kubota UDT in both the tranny and the front axle, it's going to get changed again soon to SUDT2. The tractor it now jerkier than ever, wife(farm manager) didn't want spend the extra for SUDT2.

Also 4 old empty oil jugs with the sides cutout makes it a breeze to change and no mess.

I've been using Chevron All weather Synthetic Fluid (SUDT2 comparable) for a couple years now plus it's orange (go figure) and easy to see on the dipstick in the transmissions on my Kubota's.

 

[5030]

I don't know if tractors have breather valves/vents on the front end or not, I don't think my tractor has one. My ATV had a vent on the front end and rear also, but ATVs travel a lot faster., but where does pressure come from anyways.

The pressure comes from the inherent heat generated by the movement of the gears in the housing.

 

[MHarryE]

Seep on my L5740 at 625 hours was failed outer bearing. When I asked for advice on how to remove the inner bearing because the WSM specifies using a special puller and I had not yet pulled mine apart, I quickly got help from others on this board. It seems that with a lot of loader work failed front bearings and the accompanying leaks aren't unusual.

 

[tjkubota93]

Whenever given the option, I try to use a gear oil with EP for anything with crossed axis gears, especially if they're spiral bevel, zerol or hypoid gears. These gears have higher sliding velocities, as rbargeron mentioned. The EP additives in these oils helps to prevent metal to metal contact and wear under high pressure, high sliding velocity conditions. Since the operator's manual says I can use gear oil in the front axle, I do.

I think the manufacturers use the hydraulic fluid because it meets the requirements and they avoid the risk of "which oil goes where" mix ups at the factory and service facilities. One less lubricant to keep in inventory also reduces costs.

Since the front seals on our smaller tractors are frequently victims of seal wear and leakage, the higher viscosity gear oil has the additional benefit of staying in the housing when a thinner oil would tend to weep out.

When he dropped my bx1860 off, the owner of the dealer told me he had a customer that changed the hst oil in a tractor and refilled it with gear lube. He said that when the guy started it, the oil pump self destructed and grenaded the housing from it. I guess the pressure was alot higher with the 90wt vs sudt.

By using only hst oil, kubota prevents that from happening at the factory.

 

[Grateful11]

Seep on my L5740 at 625 hours was failed outer bearing. When I asked for advice on how to remove the inner bearing because the WSM specifies using a special puller and I had not yet pulled mine apart, I quickly got help from others on this board. It seems that with a lot of loader work failed front bearings and the accompanying leaks aren't unusual.

Our L3940 has almost 1100 hours on it. 98% of that is loader work. Mostly loading, unloading, stacking and feeding 4' round bales, the feeding is a daily chore here. It only recently started to get a bit of seepage at each wheel pivot. It's not enough that I'm going worry too much about it but I'm sure sooner or later something will have to be done.

 

[buickanddeere]

Some sort of snake oil with a seal swelling agent.

 

[sixdogs]

That's what I'm looking for, a straight forward repair on my leaking front end, still searching. Must not be enough people with front end leaking problem.

Here's a search for some of those people. It's not terribly common but is common enough to be an issue. Pick and choose.

Search Results - TractorByNet.com