2710 Power Steering Fix! But...

[Alan L.]

I got my tractor back today. After a long drawn out explanation from the Kubota rep (which I appreciated), he said they would "check for leaks" and then bring it back to me. Well they brought it back. but they must not have checked for leaks.

I'll describe some of what they did in a followup, but here is the leak. Seems to be accumulating right on the bottom of the mid-PTO housing. The picture is facing the back of the tractor, underneath.

Looks like its going back.....

Alan L., TX

 

[Alan L.]

The rep described, in detail, all the parts they put on my tractor and stuff they did to it. I didn't understand half of it, but here goes.

Apparently the power steering failure at high temperatures is suspected to be caused by turbulance in the return hydraulic fluid. The solution seems very complicated. They removed a vent line that goes from front to back on the underside of the tractor and utilized the front part of the nipple to return oil from the steering or from the rest of the system, whereas it had been returned at the back, near where the steering pump picked up the oil. Also, as for the oil being supplied to the power steering, they put a T on the line and run some of the oil back down in the resevoir that had previously gone to the steering, decreasing the pressure (and turbulence) of the oil being pumped to the steering system. Also, on the left side of the tractor in place of the screen there is now a spin-on filter. He says this matches what has been used on the later 2710s. Because of the way the parts fit, they also had to change out the throttle control. They replaced the "center" case (looks like they had to break the tractor to do this). Because I had express my concerns when they had the tractor previously and "put it through more stress than it is designed to handle" to make it fail, they replaced the hydraulic pump mounted on the side of the engine.

I'd be happy, but the tractor has never leaked any fluid before, and it sounds like they will have to tear it all back down again to fix the leak.

The picture shows the new spin-in filter on the left side in place of the previous screen. Looking to the back of the tractor.

Alan L., TX

 

[ronjhall]

Alan
Glad to here you have your tractor back and the power steering has been fixed./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Sorry to hear about the oil leak./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

The filter that is in your picture is the HST filter. New filter is on right side and is gray in color.

I wonder if holes were plugged, like was done on my tractor?

The leak may be coming from the new line that was installed under seat. There is also a plate that is installed with a fitting. It may not be sealed correctly. There is a short piece of hose, which may not be connected properly. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

I had posted pictures from my Illustrated Parts List showing these changes. They were posted last year. They are no longer available. If you would like to see the items added. I can repost them.

You should see more changes than power steering fix. All my hydraulics has started to work better./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Less bleed down and more lifting power./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I have better low speed control of HST./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[snowman]

I'm far from being a mechanic, but it seems to me that the work that they did was in the nature of working around some design problem or other inherent problem (versus part X being broken or installed wrong).

For that amount of work that was done, and, if it were me, the "questionableness" of whether or not what they did will work (or cause you more problems), I would lean towards telling them to replace the whole tractor (if it's still under warranty). I know that would be a long drawn out process, but it may be better than having to constantly deal with repairs that you shouldn't have required in the first place.

The opposite could happen, of course. Your tractor could be problem free from here on.

 

[hayden]

It seems very odd that the change you received has made such a broad difference in performance.

If I recall correctly, the return flow from the PS dumps directly into the intake line for the pump rather than returning the PS outflow to the tank. On the 2910s and newer 2710s, this return line also goes to the small gear case that's part of the clutch housing, presumable to improve oil flow through the housing. In the early 2710 models, it appears flow to/from the housing is via convection only.

If turbulence is the culprit, then presumably obstructing some of the intake oil flow at teh filter (blocking the holes) reduces the turbulence, as does sending the PS outflow to the tank rather than the intake line.

Very interesting.

 

[ronjhall]

Peter
I'm just as mystified by these changes. But the outcome so far has been good. I received a call from <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange> last week. They wanted to know how my tractor was working. Also, to let me know that they are still working on solving power steering problem./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I had a concern the slip clutch on my Rototiller this week. My dealer talked to Service in California to get information on how to adjust slip clutch. Rep. he talked to said that they still had a tractor in their shop working on this problem.

We did get information on how to adjust slip clutch./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[ronjhall]

Snowman
There are some very long treads dealing with this problem going back to last fall. Various forum members have had occurrences of power steering failure. None of the problems have made tractor unusable. Just a little harder to steer. In my case dealer has been very helpful. He has picked up tractor and returned it every time there has been warranty work on it. I have not lost use of the tractor at any time. I'm a technical and inquisitive person by nature and am willing to work with <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange> until this problem is solved.

If this were my truck that was having problem, I would be demanding a new truck after second trip to dealer and it was not fixed. I have to use my truck every day for work.

My tractor is a weekend toy./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif Oops necessary tool./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif That has not failed me.
I have told <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange> that if it cannot be fixed I want a new tractor. Now that <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange> is working to resolve this problem I'm willing to wait.

Unlike Alan, when I got my tractor back from dealer I could not tell it had been worked on. Except it had new filters installed./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

 

[hayden]

You are patient and understanding. Kubota is lucky to have you as a customer.

 

[ronjhall]

Peter
There are a couple of people at <font color=orange>Kubota</font color=orange> that may not agree with you. I'm still looking for the final out come of these repairs. Thanks for the complement.

 

[hayden]

I think under the circumstances that you'd be completely justified to ask for a replacement tractor, even a different model. You are providing significant help to them in isolating and solving this problem.

I've built and shipped products (not tractors) and encountered problems in the field and in every case we'd have killed for a customer willing to work with us to diagnose and really solve the problem. You're giving that to Kubota.