Front wheel bearings failed L5740

[Complete Turf Care]

Well, I got it back together today by myself. I only changed the 2 bearings and the seal on this side. It seems that I caught it before as much damage as the other side. I was able to pick up one bearing and the seal from a local Kubota dealer, and the other bearing I found at a shop that specializes in bearings.

It looks like the outer bearing just broke into pieces instead of slowly wearing out. The balls didn't seem to have much wear or damage on them. The other side had so much damage, it was hard to tell what had happened.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I wonder if the original owner was one of the tractor owners that thinks the 50 hr service is not important and refused to change all the fluid out. I've changed all my new tractors at 50 hrs. On every one the front axle fluid was very nasty and the catch pan would sparkle like metal flake paint.

As long as there was oil in there the failure had nothing to do with service. Little sparkles in the drain oil are mostly particles that have settled out. These very fine particles do not affect a lo speed rolling bearing critically in the short term - if at all. ... And these are nearly new failures. The Kub Ls are demonstrating a weakness in the front bearings. Like as not the metal particles seen at 50Hr are a harbinger of the early stage of bearing failure.

 

[dstig1]

50 hr does not include the front axle fluid, as far as I recall. But that reminds me I need to at least check it now at 120... Oops!

 

[Leejohn]

Did you guys feel anything in the steering or from the tractor before hand? I'm feeling something, like maybe like loose lug bolts or the bumps when in 4WD on hard surface turning sharp. The bumps are coming from the front and on hard surface the rear wheels do the skipping, I can feel it in the steering. The feeling like loose lug bolts I can't tell where it is coming from.

I checked the front wheels to see if I could feel any thing loose, but seemed ok. Another thing it comes and goes. I can also feel it when sidehilling. This is on my L4240 with over 1200 hrs.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Did you guys feel anything in the steering or from the tractor before hand? I'm feeling something, like maybe like loose lug bolts or the bumps when in 4WD on hard surface turning sharp. The bumps are coming from the front and on hard surface the rear wheels do the skipping, I can feel it in the steering. The feeling like loose lug bolts I can't tell where it is coming from.

I checked the front wheels to see if I could feel any thing loose, but seemed ok. Another thing it comes and goes. I can also feel it when sidehilling. This is on my L4240 with over 1200 hrs.

I didn't feel or notice anything until the oil started pouring out. At that point, I could feel it. In fact when the first side failed, I raised the 'good' side to see if I could shake the wheel and it was tight.

When the second side failed, I raised the wheel and it was still tight.

If you are feeling something, I suggest you take it apart and visually inspect the bearings.

 

[bulldog69]

50 hr does not include the front axle fluid, as far as I recall. But that reminds me I need to at least check it now at 120... Oops!

Actually, on slightly older Kubotas not only was the front axle part of the 50hr service but it called for a complete fluid and filter change. None of this filter, top off and go stuff like they do today. I've bought 3 new Kubotas and all were change at or before the 50 hr mark. After the seeing what came out of them I would never run one longer than that without a full service.
This is just my opinion of course but to me the 50 hr service is the most important one of the tractors life.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Actually, on slightly older Kubotas not only was the front axle part of the 50hr service but it called for a complete fluid and filter change. None of this filter, top off and go stuff like they do today. I've bought 3 new Kubotas and all were change at or before the 50 hr mark. After the seeing what came out of them I would never run one longer than that without a full service.
This is just my opinion of course but to me the 50 hr service is the most important one of the tractors life.

Apparently they know of the problem with the front wheel bearings.

 

[Leejohn]

It looks like most are being fixed out of warranty so they might not know.

Are you guy using OEM bearings and if so are the #'s and mfg the same? BTW who is the mfg of the old bearings? I'm going to check mine asap but think I well change mfg if I can. I like what Grateful11 had to say about the FAG bearings, might try and find them. My oil was changed at the 50 hr mark, it could be that the 50hrs oil change is already to late for the bearing.

 

[Leejohn]

I did a seach on fag bearing 6209c3 and came up with this. Does the load rating seem low for the work it is doing? Seems low to me with the bucket sticking out there 5 miles. I'm wondering if this came about when they started useing the cruved boom.

Specifications for this item





Brand Name

FAG Bearings



Part Number

6209-C3



Material Type

Steel



Bore Diameter

45 mm



Outside Diameter

85 mm



Overall Width

19 mm





Max Rotational Speed

9000 RPM



Static Load Capacity

7460 pounds



Dynamic Load Capacity

4860 pounds



EAN

4012801071147



Number of Items

1



UNSPSC Code

31171504


I guess it would help if I posted what I found.

 

[MHarryE]

Did you guys feel anything in the steering or from the tractor before hand? I'm feeling something, like maybe like loose lug bolts or the bumps when in 4WD on hard surface turning sharp. The bumps are coming from the front and on hard surface the rear wheels do the skipping, I can feel it in the steering. The feeling like loose lug bolts I can't tell where it is coming from. I checked the front wheels to see if I could feel any thing loose, but seemed ok. Another thing it comes and goes. I can also feel it when sidehilling. This is on my L4240 with over 1200 hrs.

I didn't notice anything in the steering. I only noticed wetness one day after I finished snow plowing. I filed it away in my mind thinking Kubota front wheel bearings never fail, especially at 650 hours. Next time I plowed it was worse so this time I felt the liquid and determined it was oil so I ordered the parts. Fortunately they arrived before the next snow.