Oil & Fuel 4x4 on L 4330

[Sheepdr]

I have a L4330. With about 800 hrs on it. When I try to put it I fwd it is very hard, even with wheels.straight and rolling. When I do get it in I get a lot of drag. Fluid level full. Should I drain the front end and put synthetic in it? If so what wt of oil should I use. I know look at the book, took it out of the tractor and put it in a safe place, very safe, even I can't find it.
This is getting worse, even noticed a difference this summer.
Any help for the old guy would be great.
Thanks.

 

[Sysop]

I'd start with the linkage at the control. External problems are most common.

 

[Sheepdr]

Thank you.

 

[Grandad4]

The manual will say to use Kubota UDT or SUDT fluid in the front axle. Expensive, but very good stuff. Has the fluid in the front ever been changed? If not, at 800 hours it's long overdue.

Can you explain what you mean by "get a lot of drag"? Do you mean on the shifter or does engaging the front axle slow the tractor like something is binding up?

 

[Sheepdr]

No the fluid has. never been changed. The drag is in the fwd I'm sure. harder to turn even a little then it'll free up some.
It still won't roll free especially with the wheels turned. I try to make as long of turns as I can when in fwd and take it out as soon as possible.
I use this thing a lot and for everything so I don't want any trouble.
Thanks for the help, it means alot.

 

[DieselnHooters]

If you have a FEL, use it to lift the front an inch or two off the ground. I t should switch in and out of FWD easily. Thats how I do it on my kubota...not sure it applies to those kAbota lol

 

[Grandad4]

Yup, it sounds like you've got some kind of problem in the front axle itself, or one of the wheel hubs, because it should turn and roll freely. If it were mine, I'd be looking at either getting it into the shop or tearing into it myself ASAP, and no more using it 'til it's fixed. Continuing to use it will only cause even more damage.

You could drain the gear oil to check its condition. Pretty good odds you'd find it to have metal shavings or particles from something that has failed.

Looks like you've got several dealers in your vicinity... are you on speaking terms with any or all of them? It's probably time to make a call to see what they have to say. I've never had to do anything besides maintenance on the front axles on either of my Kubotas, so I can't give any better advice... maybe someone else has more knowledge than me. Best of luck... hope it's something that can be resolved easily.

 

[nybirdman]

Mine was doing the same(L4240) lube the linkage first;;

 

[Grandad4]

Mine was doing the same(L4240) lube the linkage first;;

I agree keeping it lubed is a good idea, but why would the 4x4 shift linkage cause the drivetrain to bind up when traveling across the ground and load down the engine? Hard shifting or not, once it's engaged, the 4x4 should operate normally, don't you think?

 

[Sysop]

Might be a silly question, but it's not been mentioned; have you checked the air pressure in your tires? If things are off on pressures by too much, things can be weird, more so in 4wd. Since the axle fluid hasn't been changed, that is 110% definitely where I would start. I would likely drain it through a strainer to see exactly what comes out to determine what my next steps would be. I would want to do it warm, but your situation I'd be worried about further damage by operating it before servicing.