Oil & Fuel BX25D Hydraulic Issue..

[LividTaco]

Hello everyone! Hopefully someone out there can help me out.

I've been searching around on here finding some very useful info so decided to join the forum so maybe my story will assist someone out there. Anyways...

2014 BX25D. Noticed significant backhoe power loss, found loose and leaking filter so replaced fluid (super udt 2) and filter and cleaned the screen. Tractor ran good again no bubbles and power had returned. Yesterday noticed power loss again, bubbles/foam in fluid. No visible leaks best I can tell. Just read about the raise/lower lever being in neutral so def will check that soon as I get home, but if not that any other ideas/suggestions? Anyone got a good detailed t/s guide to walk down the hydraulic line to maybe find the leak? I've ordered new quick connects male/female for hose that completes cycle on tractor and connects to backhoe when attached, another filter, more fluid. Also noticed few other things that might be related?? The FEL lever is very slow to go back to center. Almost like it's sticking and needs Grease. On the back of the tractor there's also what seems like a hissing noise when not using the hydraulics and quits when using the hydraulics not sure if this is normal. Also read something about whinning/squealing noise or kind of like a pegged out motor noise when FEL or backhoe maxes out... this normal or indicate a problem because mines been doing it since I bought it... AND lastly (kinda) the FEL goes down on its own amd though I've read this is normal to a point I don't think that I should be able to shut the tractor off and then visibly watch it /hear it fall. It makes like this popping or creeping noise every few seconds like metal on metal and u can see it drop slightly. The full/back story of this **** tractor is a small book and Kubota is going to be receiving a very lengthy unsatisfied customer email until they respond with something to help me out. But until then if needed below a more in depth series of events specifically with this issue...

Got a BX25D and been having some hydraulic issues as of late. Bout a month ago noticed hydraulic fluid was bubbly a bit, nothing crazy but noticeable. Did some minor research and found nothing that stood out to me and tractor wasn't showing any noticeable signs of damage so didn't think much of it. 2 weeks later I went to go dig with backhoe and had like no power. Pulled it into barn jacked it up n checked oil finding it pretty low (still on dipsick but very bottom) looked under tractor after noticing a small puddle forming to find my trans/oil filter was loose and leaking. Examined all my hoses for leaks and couldn't find any, refitted quick connects with new Teflon tape on some hoses but didn't hve replacement filter ND everywhere was closed so I cleaned filter with diesel and n air compressor (I know stupid idea) because I just wanted to see if the problem would lessen. Only ran it bout 5 min no change so waited until I got part before doing anything else. Cleaned tractor thoroughly and replaced filter/fluid (fluid was normal color till reinstalling old filter afterwards was almost black) I realize all this could stem from me breaking something loose and now it's stuck somewhere but I don't know. Tractor was fine for a week till yesterday when it happened again, foam in fluid and no power, still can't find leaks. All regular maintenence has been done as suggested by mfg and in fact was at 380 hours at time of trouble starting.
Because I wasn't using backhoe that much mainly just pulling a trailer I wonder if it could be somewhere on the backhoe but not sure and when I took off again just to see if it stopped then but to no avail. As stated above FEL control lever is sticking/slow to return to center.

Lmk if any other info is needed and I'm planing o write up my entire story to share because it's been a nightmare this far.

 

[LividTaco]

Update:checked/cleaned all levers no change, fluid looks perfectly clean. Removed both implements problem still exists. Actually foams fast I guess because cycle is smaller... no noticeable leaks or issues that I can see... going to wash it down real good and dry off and check even closer.. possibly small leak on pressure line female quick connect but hard to tell till clean.. those are on order but will be Thursday or later next week...

 

[CHDinCT]

Id check that your FEL control valve may have a loose control rod. Valve s/b behind the screen below the steering wheel. When mine was new, it had a loose control rod that caused the joy stick to act funny. Ended up being a loose nut. Perhaps yours is not centering to neutral when not in use causing pressure to bleed off to the tank return line. Holefully it's something stupid like that. Good luck.

 

[LividTaco]

Thanks for your response CHD! Those were my thoughts aswell and since the Kubota dealer thats a convenient drive for me employs only arrogant d*** heads I dove head first into this one last night. Being my first tractor purchase, horrible experience/outcome and have never had worked on a tractor before in my life this should be interesting.. Thus far this is what I got:

1) kind of sounds like the return hose from the backhoe on the tractor side has a slight leak around the crimped part of the quick connect.

2) Hydraulic control arm is bent, o-ring half missing and retainer clip damaged.

3) Mid mount hieght dial rod bent. (Obviously not causing a leak but both these levers have been ridiculously hard to turn since I got the tractor)

4) Differential lock peddle bent, making it not fully disengage everytime.

5) Cleaned FEL control arm assembly with compressed air and lightly greased it and it's like brand new again.

So I think I've identified the leak and if so that would answer alot of questions I've had since I bought the tractor and also leads me to believe this issue has been intermittently an issue since day 1. Tractors in pieces in the barn and parts are 7-8 days lead time. Yay....