BX soft underside

[techman]

I was out clearing some thick brush with my BX22 yesterday. About half way through my desired task, the hydrostatic started groaning quite loudly, and the tractor would barely move. I backed up a bit and saw a puddle on the ground. I shut her down and looked under to see oiul streaming out from the hydro filter.

Here a large branch wacked the filter, dented it and bent the body so that the rubber face seal opened on the bottom. Luckily I had bought a spare filter a while back, while at the dealer, so I put the new filter on. The mount and threaded stem were fine. The hydro came back to life and I slowly made it back to the shed to replenish the 2+ gallons of hydro oil.

I always felt that the location of the filter was an easy target. Kubota should consider a skid plate to cover the filter.

About 6 weeks ago I had a similar problem, also while clearing brush. A small branch, about 1/2" diameter, was angled up under the tractor by pressure from the front wheel, as I moved over it. It punched up past the shield plate and hit the cooling fan and broke off several blades.. A flat sliver of wood also pushed along side of the mid-pto shaft and pushed the oil seal lip to the side and oil started leaking. After I pulled the sliver out, the leak stopped. It was quite a pain getting the floor pan off, but once off it was a breeze to work in the trans area and replace the fan. I also checked the seal, and it was not damaged at all ! The fan has a nice heavy shield plate below it, but angled just right a stick can get in there.

paul

 

[Junkman]

Here is what you need for the hydro filter shield. Check out this post. I discussed this idea of a skid plate with a Kubota Service Rep a while ago and he informed me that it was considered, but abandonded as a viable product because of the MMM driveshaft connection and that if one were installed on the tractor, that it would hold more debris under the tractor which would also cause problems. Someone else tried to make one and ran into some design problems. You can read about that post here.......

 

[RonR]

I'd printed out that pic when I first saw it.

I was under my BX last week looking and saw that filter just hanging out there exposed...............

SOON, I plan to make/install this mod. Might even see if I can stretch it some to protect the fan as little more.

Ron

 

[vlpena]

I noticed that too on my BX23. That filter is in harm's way, especially if you have to go over logs, stumps, etc. Just about anything would crush, punture or damage that filter as vulnerable as it is. If you don't have a MMM, that sure leaves it open there.
Those small branches will do equal amount of damage as well. Keep'em (if you can) away from your drive belt. The last time I used my Bx, the drive belt was "derailed" onto the shaft of the fan. No other damage noted, got the belt back on, no problemo!
Glad to hear that you did an "on site" repair.
Now to get me a spare filter too!

 

[Yankee]

Your post reminded me that when I first comparing tractors I though that a lot of stuff looked a little too exposed on the BX. What I recall, though, was wiring under the fenders, not the filter. This is the first post I've seen mentioning damage, though. I guess from a practical standpoint the design is fine, for the most part.