Another Hydraulic Question... L4240

duckhunt · Dec 28, 2016

My machine, 2013 L4240HSTC, has started leaking hydraulic fluid from the split pin plug under the clutch housing. Not a serious leak, but several drops on the concrete where it is parked. I'm fairly confident that it is hydro fluid and not engine oil. It is almost clear and not dark. After reading some threads regarding this issue on this forum, I found several others with similar issues. I removed the front drive shaft cover to see if the leak may be coming from the front axle. No oil was found. This leads me to believe that it is coming from the transmission.

About a month ago I installed a third function valve myself to run a grapple. It was fairly easy to install and I had minimal questions about the installation. Basically tap the power beyond port. My question for you guys is that do you think there is a possibility that the 3rd function valve may have caused the seal to give? My relief valve is working, as I can hear it. No engine stalls, the rpms will drop maybe by 100 if something is maxed.

Or do you think that the seal just went in due time? From my readings, its only going to get worse over time, so its something that I need to address fairly soon. Also, I'm only noticing the leak after the tractor gets hot. (running it over 30 mins or so)

Any opinions or advice?

Thanks!

Fallon · Dec 28, 2016

Those 2 shouldn't be related at all. Might check you tank vent. On my L4060 I think it's actually the fill cap on the back. I couldn't see how a working 3rd function would cause a shaft seal to go.

Your diagnosis sounds right. Clear fluid from the clutch housing is almost assuredly hydraulic fluid likely from a leaky shaft seal.

Adiredneck · Dec 28, 2016

Fallon is correct. The 3rd function install had nothing to do with the leak. It will need to be split to repair the leak.

duckhunt · Dec 28, 2016

I also forgot to mention that the tractor has 165 hours.

duckhunt · Dec 28, 2016

@ Fallon and Adiredneck

Thanks for the replies. I didn't think that it did, but she has never leaked a drop. So I have been scratching my head for answers. Sounds like an expensive repair. I'm going to bring it to my dealer after the first of the year and see what he thinks. He has been great so far with repairs, etc.

TripleR · Dec 28, 2016

While many L40 tractors never have this problem, several of us here have had and I'm pretty sure you'll have split it yourself or have it done. Mine failed under warranty with less than 100 hours.

Leejohn · Dec 28, 2016

My thread I post a while back tells you a lot about the leak.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...plitting-kubota-gl4240hst-4wd.html?highlight=

Adiredneck · Dec 28, 2016

duckhunt said:
I also forgot to mention that the tractor has 165 hours.

Ouch. To have this happen at 165 hours really stings. Mine was done by a dealer at 799hrs. It sat for 8 months until I bought it. Two weeks after I got it home it leaked again. If I didn't have to "unnecessarily" rebuild my engine, I would have never thought I would have been capable of the repair myself.

MHarryE · Dec 28, 2016

Sounds exactly like my L5740, except that mine had 900 hours. I'm getting to old to split it myself so I took it to my dealer, but there he made me an offer I couldn't refuse so I took home a new tractor instead. I was really working the tractor hard when I found the leak. Somebody else here had the same problem just before me so I knew what to expect. When I called my dealer and told him what had happened he told me he wasn't going to lie to me and say he had never seen it before because my repair would have to wait on another 40 series in for the same problem, leaking shaft seal on the shaft exiting the transmission powering the front wheels.

amhicks21 · Dec 29, 2016

Definitely the shaft seal. I took a quick look at the warranty and your leaky seal should fall under the 6 year limited powertrain warranty so i guess you can be glad it didnt wait til after the warrany ran out. Ive had the same problem on a 2005 l3400 and a 2008 l3540. Both required being split in half. The tractors i split came apart pretty easy and went back together easy but splitting a cab tractor sounds daunting. The leak probably wont get rapidly worse. I think i put around 500 hours on each machine before finally fixing them and rigged up a "diaper" to keep from staining pavement in the mean time. on a positive note, i didnt have any leaking issues on either machine after. maybe the replacement seals are better quality.