3130 front axle refill problem

[Bodie99]

Hi, doing my 50 hour maintenance. I drained the front axle by removing the two lower drain plugs, the inspection plug and fill plug. Over a gallon drained out. Manual says it should take 6.9 quarts on refill, but in trying to refill mine after one quart it starts streaming out of the inspection hole. What am I doing wrong?

thanks!

Bodie

 

[tawilson]

Your axle is separate from your hubs. There will be another drain plug for the axle and you have to drain and fill all three ( 2 hubs and the axle) separately. Your manual should show the location of the axle drain plug. This is how mine is and I believe all axles are created equal.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

Bodie:

You are not alone. There have been many similar posts to yours, and I experienced the same thing on my 5030. Maybe just try raising the front end so the axle can pivot, try to work any air pockets out, and fill slowly and patiently until you're convinced that nothing more can possibly go in. The fill holes are very small, and maybe the axle can seem full because the oil just has a hard time working its way to where it's supposed to be.

80-90 gear oil is probably tougher to put in than UDT/SUDT, especially if it's cold. I have 80-90 in mine, but I just might switch to SUDT for the winter. Others here have said they notice a big difference with the SUDT (quieter, less resistance), most don't.

Good luck, John D.

 

[ksmmoto]

Do a search, this was just discussed recently. On my L3430 I thought that it held less than the 6.9 the book called for. But when I drained it sure looked like 6.9. On the refill it took about 5 quarts. I keep checking it for about five running hours and have to add more as it works its way to the hubs. Probably is about 6.9 by the time I am done.

I use the 80w-90 Kubota Gear Oil.

ksmmoto

 

[Bodie99]

Thanks a lot, guys.

Tom, I find only two drain plugs; one at the base of each front wheel structure, one inspection plug and one fill plug. That's all that shows in the manual and all I see after a close inspection of the 3130.

I decided to just pour in all six quarts with the inspection plug in--which it barely accepted--and let it find its own level. I'll run it in the driveway for a few minutes to work out bubbles, let it sit overnight and then inspect. I'll post what I find.

Thanks again.

Bodie

 

[tawilson]

Ok, maybe I didn't know what I was talking about(again). My input was based on a compact tractor service clinic my local dealer had and this very subject was discussed. They are a NH and Kubota dealer, and while I was at the NH end of the shop, one of the dealers men said that most all brands tractors front axles are setup the same way. Sorry.

 

[CT_Tree_Guy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( maybe I didn't know what I was talking about )</font>

Hey pal, I'LL hand out the bum steers around here if ya don't mind! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ksmmoto]

I should have mentioned that you are right about the drain plugs. My L3430 is the same, one drain on each wheel, one level plug and the fill plug.

ksmmoto

 

[Ritterbeck]

Just changed my front axle fluid, I read some earlier posts and therefore allowed for plenty of time and patience. Used front end loader to lift off ground about 8 inches allowed each wheel to drain for about an hour. I folled earlier posts and had 4 quarts ready to go back in (80-90 gear oil). I slowly began filling filler hole with sight check hole open and drain holes cracked. I put all 4 quarts back in (took a while- must have patience). I then poured my OLD oil into the same container that I had just used to put in the new. I was about a quart shy. Therefore, I proceeded to add another quart.

I am sure that I put the same amount of new oil in as the used oil I drained. In Addition, I inserted an L-shaped (so that if I dropped it, it wouldn't be lost in my front axle) hex wrench into the fill plug prior to draining and marked the level on the wrench. Upon completing I rechecked with tractor at exact same location in Garage.

I am glad I changed my front axle oil also, I skipped the 50 hour recommendation, my tractor has 200 hours. It had some black discoloration to the old oil. New oil looked and felt much better. Hope this helps! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Bodie99]

Tom,

Hey, no harm, no foul. I really appreciate your thoughts and everyone else who offered help.

Since I didn't need to use the 3130 right away, I just installed the inspection plug and poured in 6 quarts of gear oil--allowing it to settle periodically so it wouldn't overtop. After a few days of just sitting, it now appears to be down to the level of the inspection port. I'm just glad I'm not paying someone the going shop rate for this job /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

Thanks again.

Bodie