Advice needed...Lots of gear oil leaking from deck

[Jabroni]

Last fall, I stored my BX24's MMM deck upright, and on the little wheel set I purchased from a dealer here on the forum. Today, I went to prepare things for the upcoming season, and found a pool of gear oil beneath the deck. The oil appears to be coming from one of the silver nuts. on the body of the gear box. I'm not sure if the nut is vented or not. Only the nut appears wet. The location where the shaft enters the box is bone dry. Two questions....

1) What kind of gear oil do I need to replenish the lost fluid?

2) Why would a large amount of oil be coming from that location? When oriented on the wheel set, the nut in question, normally on the top surface of the box, is now on the "side" of the box.


Thanx!

 

[radioman]

The cap was probably loose. Did you try tighten it ? When was the last time time you replaced the gear oil in the gearbox ? I'd would change it out for the summer season. Check the plastic cover seals.

From the mower owners manual has this info:

Gear box oil change every 150 hours. Use SAE 90 (API GL5)
Gear box oil seal change every 2 years

 

[Jabroni]

Thanx...I squeezed myself into where it was stored in my barn, and perhaps it isn't coming out by a the nut, but maybe the seal on the shaft going into the box. I'm going to have to get it out in a few weeks, and really give it a close examination. Wonder if the seal is a job that can be performed by the typical user, or if it has to go to the dealer?

 

[radioman]

To be honest with you, I haven't done it myself yet. I really don't think it a hard job either. It's time for me to do it now. It will be the 4th summer this year of using the mower. I checked my mower manual and it shows how to grease, adjust, check things and what oil/grease to use on the deck. Nothing about the seals except change every 2 years. My owners manual only state every 2 year for seals as well. This is another one of those things that kubota left out in the manual or not clear.

Does any one have the WSM and does it show anything about the seals on the mower deck ? I am curious since I oughta do the same myself this year.

 

[psvines]

I had the same experience last year with my new deck on my BX2660. In the spring I added new oil and tightened everything. So far this winter I've not noticed any leakage.

 

[B2400]

I would top off the gear box and run it a while before tearing into it. When you stored it on end, the input shaft would be at the bottom of reservoir. Due to cold, it's possible things contracted enough to allow a leak, but wouldn't be an issue once deck is oriented properly. Just a thought before you start tearing into it!

 

[OrangeinWis]

I have noticed similar leaking from storing my 1860's deck in the same upright position, but I thought, well, I'll chalk this up to the fact that the deck is in a position that the g'box isn't designed to be in, I'll just top off the lube when I drop it this spring. I agree with B2400 fully, the cold temps could surely add to the situation.

 

[Jabroni]

I appreciate the comments. I'll top it off and see what happens, if it leaks in the correct orientation. If it needs servicing, it would certainly be better to do it after season.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Could have been the filler screw, the level check screw (top one on the side) or the breather. None of which would cause a problem until the deck was put on end.

Would top it off, tighten the screws and keep an eye on it.

Has ANYBODY changed shaft seals on the mower deck? That's a new one on me...

 

[jimmer2880]

I have noticed similar leaking from storing my 1860's deck in the same upright position, but I thought, well, I'll chalk this up to the fact that the deck is in a position that the g'box isn't designed to be in, I'll just top off the lube when I drop it this spring. I agree with B2400 fully, the cold temps could surely add to the situation.

Had the same problem when I hung my 1830's deck. So - I hung it the other way around, putting the shiny screw/bolt/plug/vent (whatever) on the top and it hasn't leaked since.