Completely emptied my hydraulics this weekend

[jamobaum]

Hello all,

I'm kinda new to the forum, but have been lurking for 2 months to decide on what tractor I wanted. Got a lot of great hands on experience from people's disscusions. So I decided on a new Kubota L3800, FEL, and BH77 backhoe(0% interest is tough to beat!).

My dealer delivered it with the FEL and a box blade, as they had to special order the BH77. So I was able to clear a spot (and level it out with the FEL & box blade) on my land to put up a 24x48' pole shed to store my goodies. I then had 16 tons of gravel brought in I spread it out with a ratchet rake(also worked great BTW). This put about 8 hours on the meter.

Then the BH77 came in. The dealer came and got the tractor, put the BH77 on and delivered it out to the property. I then proceeded to remove some 6" diamter trees, and clear another spot on the land that had a bigger hill. I am going to use this spot to back a trailer in to "turn around" so I can leave the property easier. The lane is thickly tree lined, with no place to turn around. The backhoe chopped up the hill, and I FEL the loose dirt out of the way.

All was going good until I returned the next day to finish the leveling. I noticed the backhoe was curled up like it should be, but was swung to the right hand side(it sits on a slight hill, with the righthand side facing downhill). Well I think I just thought I forgot to center it when I was done the day before.

So I backed it up, and started toward the clearing in Medium gear, but had hardly any power. I though it was just cold(30F outside that morning) and put it in low and moved to the clearing(moved just fine in low). But the HST sounded extra 'whiney' and when it was in medium, it felt like the parking brake was kind of on(I know since I did that twice when I first got it). So I stopped and tried to lift the FEL, and it was jerky. Somethings wrong.

I called the dealer and asked where the hydralic fluid level can be checked cause I think I'm leaking. They went out to check one of there L3800 and then called me back in 5 minutes. While I was waiting for their call, I noticed clear sticky fluid under the backhoe subframe where the swing cylinders attach to the arm. It was way under that platform. I checked the sight glass, and of course it was white as can be. So I got some UTF from the dealer and put it in. Then I started moving the levers and noticed a gush out of one swing cylinder connector. The fluid was white and foamey, and only came out after I returned the lever to neutral. The connection was finger loose on a "flair nut" connecting 2 hard lines. I tightened it down and it was fine. So I went back to the dealer to get more fluid, and wound up putting in 7 gallons total.

I absolutely love this machine, but am worried the HST may become an issue in the future(as in the warranty just expired, and so did the HST soon after). I only had it running for maybe 10 minuted total before shutting it down and checking the fluid, and only maybe drove it 50 yards. But the day before I had been using it heavily moving dirt and digging with the backhoe.

What do you TBN's think? Am I looking at trouble in the future, or am I overly concerned?
The tractor seems to be working just fine after replacing the fluid. The dealer gave me the fluid at no cost, but hasn't brought up "Oh we better get it in and look it over good". So I don't know if they hope it's okay as clearly they forgot to tighten the line.

Thanks for reading this long post,
Jameson

 

[brin]

Jameson, if it was me I would write a letter to the dealer and send it certified and mention them coming out and installing your BH and the subsequent leak and telling them you are fearful of damages that may take awhile to show up and you want them to be aware that you will look to them to repair the trans or anything else related to the hydraulic leak, especially if it happens out of warranty or you will take a new tractor now. Just what I would do...nothing to lose ...everything should be documented. Be sure and thank them for the hydraulic fluid at no charge since that to me seems to be a tacit admission or culpability

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome:

 

[Soundguy]

good luck.. keep us posted!

 

[rmorey]

:welcome: to TBN!

Your dealer sounds like an ok guy. I would propose an alternative approach. How about call him and explain that because of the massive fluid loss, caused by the loose fitting, you dont feel comfortable with the possibility of future issues cropping up post warranty, and ask that they check everything out. That gets a work order drawn up and a warranty claim for labour processed to document the issue for a possible future claim.

If you present him with an ultimatum, fix it or replace it, you may lose an ally on the team. He may just offer to swap it out anyway.

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome: to TBN!

Your dealer sounds like an ok guy. I would propose an alternative approach. How about call him and explain that because of the massive fluid loss, caused by the loose fitting, you dont feel comfortable with the possibility of future issues cropping up post warranty, and ask that they check everything out. That gets a work order drawn up and a warranty claim for labour processed to document the issue for a possible future claim.

If you present him with an ultimatum, fix it or replace it, you may lose an ally on the team. He may just offer to swap it out anyway.

:thumbsup:

 

[Bob77064]

Welcome Jameson

 

[jamobaum]

Allright boys,

I'll have them come get it and look it over. The dealer is very cool. I also lost one of the two giant "pins" that connects the backhoe to the subframe. Man, I go hard or go home. I did manage to get a video on my phone of it splooging hydraulic fluid everywhere. Thought that could save my bacon someday too. Can videos be posted here?

 

[MHarryE]

Can't speak for the Kubota hydro specifically but our hydrostatic are made so the case drain keeps is high enough that the hydro will still be spinning in enough oil to keep it lubricated, and if you lose a lot of oil to where the charge pump is no longer pumping enough oil to keep the system charged, there will not be enough pressure to stroke the pump as it is hydro servo pressure that strokes the pump, not any mechanical or electric control. They only move a valve tat provides hydraulic pressure to stroke the swash plate to the position the control sets. Our 2 major suppliers, who are the 2 largest large hydrostatic system manufacturers in the world, say we can't screw up the hydro with a leak. Number one killer is dirty oil followed closely by oils that may meet specs at the start but then break down to where the proper viscosity is not met. You should be okay but document it with your dealer.

 

[kevin37b]

I assume you are dealing with Birkey's in Urbana . Just make sure Bob in the service dept. knows what happened and you will have no problems . They are a very good outfit .