L6060 Leaking oil from weep hole in bell housing!

[w8nfsnow]

Yes, the 3430 was an HST model. I kept expecting the leak to get worse but it never did. I made sure the dealer knew about the problem just in case. He said pretty much what you did. Splitting the tractor for such a minor issue could cause more trouble than it fixes.

A coworker of mine bought a L3830 about the same time I did and he had the exact same problem. He still has the tractor and it still drips about the same as when he bought it.

Still, I agree with some other posters. It's a shame Kubota hasn't fixed the problem.

BTW, I just bought a L6060 a few weeks ago. I've got 48 hrs on it and so far (knock wood) no leak.

Keep me posted on your new L6060 and if it ever starts to leak.......sending good vibes your way.

Wonder if the hrs when leak starts is related to how much time is spent in 4wd not sure if the front drive shaft always turns or not? Over first 50hrs approx:

60% in 2wd
40% in 4wd

My hydraulic fluid is right at the top of the full line can't imagine there is an overflow within bell housing causing leak.......I wish?

I agree with most and if the leak doesn't get worse I'm not interested in having it split to fix any time soon. I'll wait until year 4 or 5 of warranty maybe I'll have other issues to fix....hope not.

 

[Fallon]

Keep me posted on your new L6060 and if it ever starts to leak.......sending good vibes your way.

Wonder if the hrs when leak starts is related to how much time is spent in 4wd not sure if the front drive shaft always turns or not? Over first 50hrs approx:

60% in 2wd
40% in 4wd

My hydraulic fluid is right at the top of the full line can't imagine there is an overflow within bell housing causing leak.......I wish?

I agree with most and if the leak doesn't get worse I'm not interested in having it split to fix any time soon. I'll wait until year 4 or 5 of warranty maybe I'll have other issues to fix....hope not.

The front shaft will ALWAYS turn as the rear axle giver or take a couple percent & the differences in axle ratios. There are no front hubs you can disengage like on a 4x4 truck so the front running gear will spin if the wheels do, regardless of the transfer case is in 2wd or 4wd.

Definitely a difference in power transmitted, maybe vibration, but not in amount of spinning.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

The shop foreman told me the seal he put back in was better than the one that failed.

Not surprising. Kubota knows they have a problem, and they're trying to band aid it by putting a layer of felt around the seal, at least that's what the one I used looked like. If it starts leaking again, the felt will soak up the oil for a while, then you'll be back to that steady drip, drip, drip. I'm a few hundred hours past my repair, and so far, so good.

Oh, my bad seal was on the propeller shaft. Yours?

 

[TripleR]

Not surprising. Kubota knows they have a problem, and they're trying to band aid it by putting a layer of felt around the seal, at least that's what the one I used looked like. If it starts leaking again, the felt will soak up the oil for a while, then you'll be back to that steady drip, drip, drip. I'm a few hundred hours past my repair, and so far, so good.

Oh, my bad seal was on the propeller shaft. Yours?

Yep, main seal, but my shop foreman replaced a couple others since it was apart.

He initially sent a field tech out to evaluate to see if it could be fixed on site and said running it with a leak was no big deal. This is my fifth Kubota and first with any problems. My L5030HSTC had over 1500 hours with no issues.

 

[SDT]

Interesting thread.

I have a 2015 L6060, bought in Jan 2016, just a few months before Kubota increased the power train warranty to 5 years. Annoying, because I was in no hurry to buy the tractor but bought it in the off season because I had more time. Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!

I do not put many hours on my tractors so my warranties always expire on elapsed time rather than hours.

I had a serious issue with a 2007 MF, bought new with 24 Mo/2000 Hr warranty, at 240 hours but out of warranty on elapsed time. The issue was an obvious manufacturing defect (In a previous life, I did warranty analysis for GM for years after other years as a design engineer.) but both MF and their dealer told me to shove it.

My L6060 shows no signs of leaking but this is a serious concern for me. My tractor has about 80 hours at this time but the warranty will expire on elapsed time in January.

Sometimes manufactures (not MF/AGCO) will protect purchasers after expiration of warranties, especially regarding known issues. GM has been quite good in this regard.

Anyone, have any experience regarding Kubota's policy in this regard?

SDT

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Sometimes manufactures (not MF/AGCO) will protect purchasers after expiration of warranties, especially regarding known issues. GM has been quite good in this regard.

Anyone, have any experience regarding Kubota's policy in this regard?

My tractor had been abused by the PO, and when I got it the FEL mounts had been broken and weld repaired. I'm a pretty good weldor and machinist and figured if they broke again I could fix them. In another 20 hours of operation the welds were cracking, so I ground out the cracks, preheated the assembly, then MIG welded them back together. Made sure they cooled slowly to keep the heat affected zone intact. Another 20 hours later they were cracking again. That's when I went on TBN and found other people with the same problem. Talked to the dealer, showed him the TBN posts and pictures of the broken mounts, and asked if there was anything Kubota would do about it. After a lot of back and forth it came down to me paying for shipping for a new pair of mounts to the tune of about six hundred bux. But that was after they accused me of abusing the tractor and said the same about the other TBN posts. When I got the new mounts it was obvious that Kubota had really beefed up the parts that were cracking, even though the dealer assured me that no changes had been made. I asked for my shipping costs back because it was obviously a manufacturing defect that Kubota was aware of, but got nowhere. There's a link in my sig line if you want to know more about the LA724 mounts...

 

[SDT]

My tractor had been abused by the PO, and when I got it the FEL mounts had been broken and weld repaired. I'm a pretty good weldor and machinist and figured if they broke again I could fix them. In another 20 hours of operation the welds were cracking, so I ground out the cracks, preheated the assembly, then MIG welded them back together. Made sure they cooled slowly to keep the heat affected zone intact. Another 20 hours later they were cracking again. That's when I went on TBN and found other people with the same problem. Talked to the dealer, showed him the TBN posts and pictures of the broken mounts, and asked if there was anything Kubota would do about it. After a lot of back and forth it came down to me paying for shipping for a new pair of mounts to the tune of about six hundred bux. But that was after they accused me of abusing the tractor and said the same about the other TBN posts. When I got the new mounts it was obvious that Kubota had really beefed up the parts that were cracking, even though the dealer assured me that no changes had been made. I asked for my shipping costs back because it was obviously a manufacturing defect that Kubota was aware of, but got nowhere. There's a link in my sig line if you want to know more about the LA724 mounts...

Thanks for the feedback.

$600 for shipping sounds excessive but at least they replaced the mounts.

I'm a VERY good customer at my local CNH/Kubota dealer and they try to keep me happy but I'm sure that they will not eat a split/seal repair if Kubota does not cover it.

I have no issues so far. Hopefully, I will not, but I'm not a lucky guy.

SDT

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Bought an L6060 last December and now has 53hrs. Started noticing the odd oil spot on my garage floor at 30ish hours yup it's leaking transmission fluid from the weep hole because a $20 seal within bell housing!

Called my dealer who eluded to what needs to be done to repair yes split the tractor like I figured. Ok so yes I have warranty so no cost to me except my closest dealer where I bought is 220km one way. Kubota doesn't pay floating service as part of the warranty process which I was told when I purchased. I'm mostly ticked because my brand new tractor needs to be split with parts scattered all over the place....never the same at least that's how I feel just how I am.

I sold my 2012 Kioti that never went back to the dealer once. Now I have this leaking Kubota that needs to be split in half all because a known issue that should be addressed by Kubota Engineers don't tell me they aren't fully aware of the problem.

My relationship with Kubota quality is getting off to a bad start.

Hoping to hear from L60 or any other model owners who've had the same problem and how the service went.

A guy ranting against Kubota on my Initial impressions of a Kubota L6060 explained that both of his L5740s Kubota had the same oil leak, except since his was used for commercial snow removal, Kubota didn't honor the warranty. Check out Martin Guenette's comments buried on this page: Kubota L66 first impression - YouTube

 

[4570Man]

My L3240 had the same problem. It leaked a little bit for years. One day it started coming out in a stream, but only when hot. I could get 30 minutes out of it before it started leaking. I split the tractor and the seal was intact, but a new seal fixed the problem. It never leaked again for the remainder of the 150 hours I owned the tractor.

 

[Adiredneck]

I bought my L5240 used with 798 hours on consignment from a dealer. It was split and this seal replaced at the dealer in the winter of 2014. It sat until I bought it in August of 2015. It was leaking a week after I brought it home and I had no warranty.

I asked the dealer to send me a parts list from the seal replacement. When I had the tractor split myself in 2016, the part number had been replaced with a newer seal, so there was a redesign somewhere between 2014 & 2016.

It will be interesting to see if this new seal does the trick and how long it lasts.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Interesting thread.

I have a 2015 L6060, bought in Jan 2016, just a few months before Kubota increased the power train warranty to 5 years. Annoying, because I was in no hurry to buy the tractor but bought it in the off season because I had more time. Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!
SDT

I wasn't planning to buy my L6060 until this fall but decided to buy early to take advantage of Kubota's 0% financing and extended 6 year warranty.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Keep me posted on your new L6060 and if it ever starts to leak.......sending good vibes your way.

Wonder if the hrs when leak starts is related to how much time is spent in 4wd not sure if the front drive shaft always turns or not? Over first 50hrs approx:

60% in 2wd
40% in 4wd

My hydraulic fluid is right at the top of the full line can't imagine there is an overflow within bell housing causing leak.......I wish?

I agree with most and if the leak doesn't get worse I'm not interested in having it split to fix any time soon. I'll wait until year 4 or 5 of warranty maybe I'll have other issues to fix....hope not.

Thanks for the good vibes!! I'll definitely post if the L6060 develops a leak. FWIW, I read in another forum that Kubota redesigned the seals in 2016. Although purchased in 2017, I have no way of knowing when my tractor was actually assembled or if it has these rumored new seals or not.

On past advice from the service manager at my dealer, I try and limit 4WD use to when it's really necessary. I was also advised not to use it on dry concrete or pavement. I'm not sure if 4WD use affects seal wear or not.

One thing I have noticed on the L6060, shifting out of 4WD is often quite difficult. More so than any other Kubota I've owned. I sometimes have to raise the front wheels off the ground with the FEL to relieve the strain on the drive train. Hopefully, this will ease a bit as the tractor breaks in.

 

[newbury]

My $.02: The L3430 I had dripped oil that way since the day I took delivery. In the 11 years I owned it, I lost maybe a half pint of oil. IMO, it was annoying but not functionally significant. I suppose it's due to my early years as a motorcycle buff. The garage floor was always covered with oil drips. That's what they make cat litter for.

My M4700 drips a bit. That's what I make sawdust for.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

One thing I have noticed on the L6060, shifting out of 4WD is often quite difficult. More so than any other Kubota I've owned. I sometimes have to raise the front wheels off the ground with the FEL to relieve the strain on the drive train. Hopefully, this will ease a bit as the tractor breaks in.

Just back up a bit and the front end should slip right out...

SR

 

[Fallon]

Thanks for the good vibes!! I'll definitely post if the L6060 develops a leak. FWIW, I read in another forum that Kubota redesigned the seals in 2016. Although purchased in 2017, I have no way of knowing when my tractor was actually assembled or if it has these rumored new seals or not.

On past advice from the service manager at my dealer, I try and limit 4WD use to when it's really necessary. I was also advised not to use it on dry concrete or pavement. I'm not sure if 4WD use affects seal wear or not.

One thing I have noticed on the L6060, shifting out of 4WD is often quite difficult. More so than any other Kubota I've owned. I sometimes have to raise the front wheels off the ground with the FEL to relieve the strain on the drive train. Hopefully, this will ease a bit as the tractor breaks in.

Running gear on my L4060 should be the same as yours. If it's bound, straightening the steering & easing forward or back with light pressure will pop it out. You can get a pretty hefty bind in you driveline after some sharp turns. Puts lots of pressure on the transfer case. Going straight, moving & gently pulling will pop it out without needing to reef on it or potentially break things.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Running gear on my L4060 should be the same as yours. If it's bound, straightening the steering & easing forward or back with light pressure will pop it out. You can get a pretty hefty bind in you driveline after some sharp turns. Puts lots of pressure on the transfer case. Going straight, moving & gently pulling will pop it out without needing to reef on it or potentially break things.

Thanks for the advice. I've used these tricks on other models and they usually work. Not so much on the L6060 without moving the tractor around a lot. I find it easier and quicker to just lift the front wheels with the FEL.

I mentioned the issue to the dealer who said it's a common complaint. He said the smaller front tires wear faster than the rears and the overall gear ratio gets into balance after the tractor breaks in. Sounds plausible but I've never noticed it on other tractors.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I mentioned the issue to the dealer who said it's a common complaint. He said the smaller front tires wear faster than the rears and the overall gear ratio gets into balance after the tractor breaks in. Sounds plausible but I've never noticed it on other tractors.

Sounds like BS to me... I've never seen it happen yet...

BUT, I did have a Kubota dealer tell me his 1,000 pound "lighter" tractor would "out pull" my same hp 1,000 pound heavier tractor, BECAUSE of, Kubota's "superior modern engineering"!! HA HA HA The best part is, the Kubota had bias ply tires on it, and the heavier tractor had (same size) radials on it...

I guess he thought I was some yuppie from town and would believe that! lol

SR

 

[bdhsfz6]

Sounds like BS to me... I've never seen it happen yet...

BUT, I did have a Kubota dealer tell me his 1,000 pound "lighter" tractor would "out pull" my same hp 1,000 pound heavier tractor, BECAUSE of, Kubota's "superior modern engineering"!! HA HA HA The best part is, the Kubota had bias ply tires on it, and the heavier tractor had (same size) radials on it...

I guess he thought I was some yuppie from town and would believe that! lol

SR

Over the years, I've learned to take everything a salesman tells me with a grain of salt. I swear they subscribe to the "BS Journal" to sell product and get comebacks for complaining customers. I have more faith in the service manager at the dealership whom I've known for many years.

I suppose time will tell if the 4WD issue improves. I've got 6 years under the extended warranty to bust it if it doesn't fix itself.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I hope it works out for you...

I do like Kubota products, I have some, but they aren't the "heavy duty" tractor that some here would have you believe, UNLESS you compare them to home owner products...

Some folks here would be better off buying a "farm" tractor than a higher hp compact tractor, but I guess they either don't know any better or are trying to keep up with the yuppie neighbors...

SR

 

[Fallon]

Sounds like BS to me... I've never seen it happen yet...

BUT, I did have a Kubota dealer tell me his 1,000 pound "lighter" tractor would "out pull" my same hp 1,000 pound heavier tractor, BECAUSE of, Kubota's "superior modern engineering"!! HA HA HA The best part is, the Kubota had bias ply tires on it, and the heavier tractor had (same size) radials on it...

I guess he thought I was some yuppie from town and would believe that! lol

SR

Maybe, maybe not. Generally the front wheels spin a few percent faster than the rears, 2-5% or so I believe. That helps pull the front end around so it actually steers when in fwa compared to the traction on the rear.

Fronts do wear faster because of their size, slightly faster rotation & because of steering.

While all of that supports the sales guys case I'm still sceptical that isn't anything other than BS.