[Kubota B3200] "Rear Seal is leaking" - What/where exactly is the "rear seal" on this tractor?

[Forest_Man]

I brought in the tractor to install the grapple and I asked the dealer to diagnosis a small leak in the rear end of the tractor.

They diagnosed it as "rear seal leak" and $800 plus fluid cost to repair it. I am trying to confirm and better understand what exactly is the "rear seal" - is this the seal at each end of the shaft, right before each rear wheel?

If so, why would the leak be in the center of the tractor and not right below the rear seals?

Could someone take a look at these photos and tell me where they think the leaking is coming from?

Thanks in advance!

 

[oldnslo]

If you get on the ground and look up at the bottom of the tractor you might have a better idea of where the leak is coming from. Could be the input shaft seal going into the transaxle, could be mid PTO if your tractor has that feature, etc.

 

[chim]

Whe I hear the term "rear seal" the first thought is the rear engine seal.

 

[Forest_Man]

When I hear the term "rear seal" the first thought is the rear engine seal.

Interesting.

I am pretty sure the dealer was talking about the axle seal. He even said he would need to remove the wheels to replace the seal.

 

[Forest_Man]

If you get on the ground and look up at the bottom of the tractor you might have a better idea of where the leak is coming from. Could be the input shaft seal going into the transaxle, could be mid PTO if your tractor has that feature, etc.

To be honest I didn't look up from the bottom... I can see this could be a leak from the input shaft as well... I need to check and see what I can see..

 

[sd455dan]

Interesting.

I am pretty sure the dealer was talking about the axle seal. He even said he would need to remove the wheels to replace the seal.

yes after zooming in it almost looks like the right side axle shaft seal may be weeping.

 

[Forest_Man]

yes after zooming in it almost looks like the right side axle shaft seal may be weeping.

Just to confirm, you think this could be leaking, correct:

And would a leak from this area run down to the center of the tractor and fall on the ground? I am trying to confirm this could be happening here.

 

[oldnslo]

Reach under that axle and feel for oil. If wet it is leaking somewhere in that area.

 

[sd455dan]

Just to confirm, you think this could be leaking, correct:

View attachment 1427471

And would a leak from this area run down to the center of the tractor and fall on the ground? I am trying to confirm this could be happening here.

Possibly.

I would wash that whole area after some degreaser and blow it dry and also look closely under that Hydraulic filter maybe it isn't sealing well. I have to clean everything to dry before looking for a source.

 

[rumwrks]

+1 on figuring out where the leak actually is.

Also check the torque on all of the bolts... I found some "finger tight" (or more accurately finger loose") bolts on the axle on my B2601 which was undoubtedly assisting the hydraulic seep on that side.