Kubota L5240 Hydraulic leak...need help please

[rfc143]

After an hour of mowing, I park the tractor and notice what looks like hydraulic fluid leaking out of the little drain directly in the middle of the tractor...almost beneath the "windshield" of the tractor. When the engine cools, it stops, after leaking a few ounces or so. A friend thought it was hydraulic fluid leaking through a seal from the transmission to the clutch housing. Not sure what the drain is there for, but it certainly can't be for hydraulic fluid. He said the only way to fix it was to split the tractor.

I don't think I'm losing more than a quart or so every 100 hours; I've begun to measure how much, but would appreciate confirmation (or refutation) of the above. As long as I keep the hydraulic fluid level up, is there anything to worry about? Hydraulic oil is a lot cheaper than splitting the tractor.

 

[Leejohn]

Yes tractor has to be split, it's coming from the engine drive shaft seal or gasket at the trans or from the 4wd shaft seal at the trans.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

The usual source that I read here is the seal on the front drive shaft.

David

 

[Leejohn]

Check this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...plitting-kubota-gl4240hst-4wd.html?highlight=

 

[scdeerslayer]

Drain is there to drain any moisture in the clutch housing. It should state this in the owner's manual.

 

[rfc143]

Understood. I was looking for advice on the advisability of keeping an eye on the fluid levels. Are there any other problems with hydraulic fluid leaking into the case?

 

[MHarryE]

No problems - it will get worse. My L5740 did not leak when cold, minor drip when used moderately, but a light stream when pulling hard and steady for an hour on a warm day. Happened about 850 hours. Problem was seal on output shaft from transmission coupling to front wheel drive. When I discovered the leak (when it was streaming) I went to visit my dealer and he showed me another Grand L sitting in the shop getting the same seal replaced. Used mine with the leak until the dealer had time to work on splitting it. The shaft is near the bottom of the case (you can see the approximate location by looking at your driveshaft going through the oil pan) so the oil coming out has an easy path to the drain. Just remember to check the level frequently and watch the puddle on the floor where you park it to see if it starts expanding faster, a sign the leak is getting worse.

 

[rfc143]

Well, I've been keeping my eye on this, and am changing my thinking. As David suggests above, It seems like the oil is coming from the tube going to the front axle. I'm not in front of my manual at the moment, but took what looked like an oil fill plug out of the top left axle. It was under some pressure, and I "dip sticked" it and found only an inch of oil in there.

I checked the manual and see the "check plug"...It's half way up the axle! Could the oil I'm seeing be coming through a seal, down the "propeller shaft housing" and into the section where the drain vent is? Sure doesn't seem like SAE80 or 90 gear oil, but I hope I didn't do any damage by letting it get so low.

Can I assume the fix is easier than splitting the tractor? Not sure I'd try to fix it myself.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Usually the front axle leaks at the bevel gear housing seals by the wheels. The drip from the split bolt on the transmission housing usually comes from the transmission itself where the front drive shaft exits the transmission case in the bell housing.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ting-kubota-gl4240hst-4wd-l4240-spilt-047-jpg

David

 

[rfc143]

No problems - it will get worse. My L5740 did not leak when cold, minor drip when used moderately, but a light stream when pulling hard and steady for an hour on a warm day. Happened about 850 hours. Problem was seal on output shaft from transmission coupling to front wheel drive. When I discovered the leak (when it was streaming) I went to visit my dealer and he showed me another Grand L sitting in the shop getting the same seal replaced. Used mine with the leak until the dealer had time to work on splitting it. The shaft is near the bottom of the case (you can see the approximate location by looking at your driveshaft going through the oil pan) so the oil coming out has an easy path to the drain. Just remember to check the level frequently and watch the puddle on the floor where you park it to see if it starts expanding faster, a sign the leak is getting worse.

Still keeping an eye on this, and it's getting somewhat worse. Leaks more when working hard on a hot day. It really doesn't leak much in the winter months; Still not enough to rationalize the cost of splitting the tractor.

Is there any such thing as higher viscosity hydraulic oil that I might use?