abuse or just normal wear

[namesray]

My 2007 Kubota b7800 tractor with la402 loader just started to leak on the front axel where the steering pivot is. this time it is on the right side. about 300 hours ago, it did the same thing on the left one. this tractor has 1550 hours on it, but it seems the front axel issues are starting to add up.

just a month ago, the front axel pivot starting squeaking bad when going over bumps and mounds. upon inspection, the axel pivot was so tight, I could not pivot it unless I jumped on the tire when I propped it in the air with the loader. the "o" ring in the rear part of the front axel (where the 4wd shaft goes in) was gone and all the bushings were corroded and rusty. the front axel adjustment bolt was not too tight as I checked the torque and it was right on the correct 15ftlbs.

I do not do too much with the loader other then plow snow and lift buckets of firewood. not too much "heavy bulldozing" or over lifting with the loader I think. I use the tractor mainly in the woods winching logs a lot, so actually there is lots of times the front end is light as the heavy logs tend to lighten the front end up when I am skidding.

I often thought the b7800 might be being pushed to its limits with winching and skidding and I should get a larger framed tractor, but I have been using it this way since I had it (new) and it has not had a catastrophic failure yet, so I keep using the little work horse.

do you think these issues showing up are from abuse or at 1550 hrs is it just normal wear and tear.

 

[k0ua]

Two questions: Do you always use sufficient ballast on the back of the tractor 3pt to "unload" the front axle? If you don't that puts extra strain on front axle components. and as for the pivot, did you always grease the front and back front axle pivot zerks at least every 50 hours, including using the procedure to open the little square relief bolt to check for grease to come out of it while you grease the front zerk? The rear zerk just gets 2 or 3 pumps as it flows to the inside of the housing.

 

[namesray]

this is a picture or where I mean

 

[namesray]

Two questions: Do you always use sufficient ballast on the back of the tractor 3pt to "unload" the front axle? If you don't that puts extra strain on front axle components. and as for the pivot, did you always grease the front and back front axle pivot zerks at least every 50 hours, including using the procedure to open the little square relief bolt to check for grease to come out of it while you grease the front zerk? The rear zerk just gets 2 or 3 pumps as it flows to the inside of the housing.

my 400+ lb winch is usually on the 3ph for ballast. and on kubota's "B" series there is no grease fittings for the front axel. everything appears to be "o" rings, bushings, with an oil bath for lubrication.

 

[k0ua]

this is a picture or where I mean

Ray, what is it going to cost to repair it?

 

[k0ua]

my 400+ lb winch is usually on the 3ph for ballast. and on kubota's "B" series there is no grease fittings for the front axel. everything appears to be "o" rings, bushings, with an oil bath for lubrication.

Oh, OK, quite a bit different than some others then.

 

[namesray]

the first steering pivot leak cost $327.00 from dealer and 4 days of down time and the trips to trailer it in and back. I have a friend who says he might be able to help me, but I don't know what this one will cost. I have about $90.00 into the seized front pivot and that just includes my friend initially tearing it apart and putting grease and antisieze on the bushings just to keep me going for now. $50 to him and $40 in the parts I still haven't put on it yet. the bushings, o ring and a spacer need replaced, but for now the grease slobbered in there has stopped that problem. looked like the o ring deteriated, allowing moisture in, thus causing the corrosion on the rear part. the front pivot area of the front axel is oil bath. no grease fittings:confused2:

 

[displacedPA]

Ray, Im not sure how mech. you are If I still lived in PA Id be temped to come help you. I love wrenching on tractors.
attached are two kubota parts list so you know what your up against and what parts you would need to replace.

hope they images come through other wise ill try it again.

 

[jeff9366]

Do you always use sufficient ballast on the back of the tractor 3pt to "unload" the front axle?

Did you buy the B7800 tractor new, or did it have a previous owner?

Are you the sole operator of the B7800 or do employees operate the B7800 too?

 

[namesray]

Ray, Im not sure how mech. you are If I still lived in PA Id be temped to come help you. I love wrenching on tractors.
attached are two kubota parts list so you know what your up against and what parts you would need to replace. View attachment 388238View attachment 388241

hope they images come through other wise ill try it again.

thanks displacedpa. I did need the steering pivot break down. I have the axel pivot bushings and o rings to still put in. good timing I guess as at least I can fix BOTH problems at ONCE. save some money on axel oil and save on down time.