Need Help w/ Kubota L3710 Front Axle Bevel Gear Housing Lesak

[N80]

I've got to pick up some gear oil to put back in the front axle but my owner's manual is at my cabin and I do not know how much to buy. Anyone know the spec on how much oil goes in the front end?

It has hydraulic fluid in it now but as soon as I isolate the leak I'm going to put gear oil in it, probably 80w-90. Is 85w-140 too thick?

It is going to be a while before I can either do this myself or get it to a dealer and there are some jobs I need the tractor for so I want the thickest oil that will be safe to use in it.

 

[Fallon]

I've got to pick up some gear oil to put back in the front axle but my owner's manual is at my cabin and I do not know how much to buy. Anyone know the spec on how much oil goes in the front end?

It has hydraulic fluid in it now but as soon as I isolate the leak I'm going to put gear oil in it, probably 80w-90. Is 85w-140 too thick?

It is going to be a while before I can either do this myself or get it to a dealer and there are some jobs I need the tractor for so I want the thickest oil that will be safe to use in it.

I believe my manual for my L4060 says hydraulic fluid or 90wt gear oil.

In theory 90wt will lube a bit better, but hydraulic fluid will rob less power. As a practical matter the only real difference you'll notice in the long term is what leaks out of the worn seals faster.

Kubota puts hydro fluid in the transmission & axle to minimize the number of fluids to deal with. And apparently it does the job well enough to meet Kubota's standards.

 

[bjmsam]

I've got to pick up some gear oil to put back in the front axle but my owner's manual is at my cabin and I do not know how much to buy. Anyone know the spec on how much oil goes in the front end?

The manual for my L3710 (which also covers L3010, L3410, L4310) states: Front axle case [4WD] 5.5L (5.8 U.S. qts.) KUBOTA UDT or SUPER UDT fluid or SAE 80 - SAE 90 gear oil

 

[N80]

As a practical matter the only real difference you'll notice in the long term is what leaks out of the worn seals faster.

Mine has had hydro fluid in it its whole life (12 years). I'm switching now just to get something thicker in it to help with the leak until I can get it repaired. That's why I'm considering the 85w-140 but not sure if it would cause problems.

 

[N80]

The manual for my L3710 (which also covers L3010, L3410, L4310) states: Front axle case [4WD] 5.5L (5.8 U.S. qts.) KUBOTA UDT or SUPER UDT fluid or SAE 80 - SAE 90 gear oil

Thank you! Looks like a 2 gal bottle will be the cheapest option and will give some to replenish as it leaks down.

 

[bspeedy]

I would not be at all concerned with 85w140. Might even consider 00 grease. It's low speed and those gears are built to last. I replaced the seals on the front end of my L2900, but it was not enjoyable. I think I ran 80w90 after that.

At the time, the dealer quoted about 650 to do the repair including parts. I paid around 300 for parts, if I remember correctly.

 

[N80]

Thanks. If parts are going to run $300 I'll probably just pay to have this done by the dealer. Hopefully I will only need seals though and not bearings or other hardware.

I'm assuming I can remove the whole bevel gear assembly from the axle and take it home to my shop to do repairs. I don't have a shop at my cabin so doing it there would be difficult to say the least.

All this makes me wonder why Kubota is so attached to this bevel gear arrangement. Seems to me a straight axle and taller tires would accomplish all the same things.

 

[aczlan]

All this makes me wonder why Kubota is so attached to this bevel gear arrangement. Seems to me a straight axle and taller tires would accomplish all the same things.

You can turn sharper with smaller tires.

Aaron Z

 

[Fallon]

I would not be at all concerned with 85w140. Might even consider 00 grease. It's low speed and those gears are built to last. I replaced the seals on the front end of my L2900, but it was not enjoyable. I think I ran 80w90 after that.

At the time, the dealer quoted about 650 to do the repair including parts. I paid around 300 for parts, if I remember correctly.

I went the pourable grease route in my old flail mower gearbox rather than pushing $100 for new seals. Pretty sure I wouldn't go that far on my tractor though.

 

[bjmsam]

Thanks. If parts are going to run $300 I'll probably just pay to have this done by the dealer.

For me, the parts ran $188.04 (plus fluid).

Kubota 31353-44130 O'RING
Quantity: 2 @ $5.66 $11.32

Kubota 34070-13100 PLUG
Quantity: 2 @ $8.75 $17.50

Kubota 34070-13370 SEAL
Quantity: 2 @ $24.12 $48.24

Kubota TC230-13040 OIL SEAL
Quantity: 2 @ $55.49 $110.98