Changed Hydro filters : Pic of metal in filter

General Lee · Jun 22, 2012

Did the 50 hour service on my L4400, all went well. Waiting for the rain to stop so I can run it for a bit and top off fluids if need be. I don't think I'll have to add any hydro fluid, I believe I was on the high side to begin with. Here is a pic of the filter on the right hand side that has the magnet to catch metal particles. Here is a question: What in the world is wearing internally that causes the shavings that look like they came off a drill bit? Some were long and curly but not in the pic because I grabbed them and looked closely and didn't put them back for the pic. This metal has to be from the manufacturing process and was left behind. Anyone know the answer to this?

Also I was about a quart and half low on engine oil. Specs call for 2 gallons (8 quarts) and I only got about a gallon and a half out. Manual says as long as its within the two marks its "acceptable" so when checking oil every so often it was within that range. BUT the manual also says when refilling from an oil change, fill to top mark. So, which is it? I filled it with 8 quarts and called it a day. So either it used some oil in 48 hours or I didn't have a full 8 quarts to begin with.

WaxMan · Jun 22, 2012

I think its normal for metal particles in the 50 hr service, mine were all at the drain plug. That is why you do the 50 hrs service get that stuff out of the machine.
I think you'll find that each time you change you will see some metal chips, things are meshing and finding their groove.

unfinished · Jun 22, 2012

If it makes you feel any better. Here is mine with the same crap @50hrs. Shocked me too. Dealer says its okay, as if I would get any other answer. Its a L3700 model. Its got to be left over from manufacturing. I would only expect grey sludge like when dropping the pan on an automotive automatic transmission.

Changing oil, I just fill to the upper mark on the dipstick. You can't get 100% of oil out. Don't know about the L4400, but mine has two drain plugs on the oil pan one on each side of driveshaft.

k0ua · Jun 22, 2012

A lot of owners have reported unable to get the manual stated amount of oil back in. or overfilling..Perhaps one or two did not drain both sumps, but most did, and still cannot get the stated amount in. Part of the reason is the amount in the manual. is for when the engine is totally dry, as in brand new assembled. You can never get all the oil out as some is trapped in galleys etc. What I do is fill slowly until the dipstick shows full. run engine, let it set and top off if needed. I make no attempt to measure how much went in.. I pour from 1 to 2.5 gallon jugs and pour in the amount needed to get the mark on the stick. As for the gunk, yep, that is why the want us to change those fluids at 50

James K0UA

sixdogs · Jun 22, 2012

I put my L4300--same thing--on a flat surface to change the oil because the oil pan's "split oil pan" and two drain plugs can trap oil if not level.

General Lee · Jun 22, 2012

I drained both sumps and when I filled with new, after 8 quarts it was right at the top mark without starting the motor. I figured after it runs and the filter gets its fill it'll be good. I ran it for 8-10 minutes and so far checks ok.

As far as the hydro fluid goes......I think I'm still to full. I lost about a quart and a half during filter change and the glass eye still read 7/8 full. After running the tractor and working the hydraulics I'm still 7/8 full. Haven't added any. Just a little white showing in the eye glass. Shouldn't it be half fluid, half white showing?

Gordon Gould · Jun 22, 2012

When the tractor is level anywhere one the eye is fine. If you have a normal parking place you will definately want to be able to see the line there also. Even if it is not level. Just so you can keep track. Mine is always at about 7/8 on the eye after an oil change.

General Lee · Jun 22, 2012

Gordon Gould said:
When the tractor is level anywhere one the eye is fine. If you have a normal parking place you will definately want to be able to see the line there also. Even if it is not level. Just so you can keep track. Mine is always at about 7/8 on the eye after an oil change.

Sounds good. I can't get much more level than my garage floor

sixdogs · Jun 22, 2012

You know, I don't think all that metal is out of the engine but more likely residue from the machining process.
That's why the 50 hour oil and filter change.

Chilly807 · Jun 22, 2012

Pretty much perfectly normal for the first change, at least for Kubota. Mine was the same or worse, the spiral chips are machining residuals, you won't see as many at the second change, if any at all. There are a lot of nooks and crannies in that trans case to hide chips, almost impossible to clean completely on assembly. Mine has the normal fine grey particles now from normal wear and tear.

I've not heard of many or any Kubota's suffering failures from metal debris in the oil, so I don't get too concerned about it.

Sean