Fix? or No?

[5030]

Does the unit have a drain plug on the bottom of the axle? If so, I think I'd pull the plug, drill it part way in with an appropriate sized drill and install a magnet in the hole with epoxy. That way, the magnetic plug will attract anything and you can pull the plug and clean it.

That is EXACTLY what I did on both of my M9 Kubota's but I went a step farther because my outboards on both of them are segregated from the axle proper with oil seals so I also drilled and set magnets in each of the outboard lower drain plugs.

if it's good enough for the differentials in my vehicles, it's good enough for the tractors too and you can purchase about any size of magnets diametrically on Amazon or at McMaster Carr.

I also added atmospheric breathers to both the axles. Kubota don't do that at least on my units but they are there now. I do have the machine tools to do that with so was a non issue.

I drilled the fill plugs and tapped them for hose barbs and added breather hoses that I attached to the frame under the cowl.

 

[5030]

Presently, on my M9 open station, the right hand side outboard has suffered a radial seal failure so I need to remove the wheel and remove the outboard planetary and replace the large 'O' ring and stub seal. Been weeping for a while now but just started really leaking. I have the parts in the shop as I anticipated replacing them early this year. Not bad for 6700 hours of farming actually.

I did have to replace the king pin bushes on both sides last year as they were shot and allowing the upper and lower knuckles to develop radial play which if left unchecked would eventually cause radial seal failure. I replaced both radial seals as well. She has a ton of hours on her and it's all heavy duty farm and loader work.

If I were you, I'd modify the drain plug(s) with magnets and call it good. Like I said in a previous post, more than one tooth engages at one time so a missing tooth should not impact it but just the same, I'd take it apart and replace the gears. You can order them ahead of time (like I did) and have them on hand to make the fix easier. Just my opinion.

 

[oosik]

I have never broken anything while running. However - during maintenance - different ball of wax.

I always pull the tractor out of the carport and onto my lawn. So many times - I drop a part. Falls into the grass. AND it's ALWAYS a special part that can only be purchased at the Kubota dealer.

Finally - I got a brain flash. I got a metal detector to find that @#$% part down there in the grass.

Wouldn't you know it. Since the purchase of the metal detector - not lost a single part/not used the metal detector to find a lost part.

 

[5030]

Mostly I drop those snap over lynch pins in the grass and they vanish so I keep a good supply in stock at all times... just in case. It's also amazing how errant nuts and bolts vanish in the gravel in the driveway. Maybe I need to invest in a metal detector, any suggestions, don't want to drop a fortune on one...

 

[Avenger]

I was thinking the same thing, replacing the drain plug with a magnetic one. I've done that on all my vehicles various gear boxes. I'll have to look up the plug size (it's already installed holding back fresh oil) and see if I can find one with a magnetic end.

As far as losing things, happens more than I'd like to admit. When I go to our local farm supply store, I always grab a few pins, hose clamps, a bucket, maybe a few different sizes of nuts and bolts, etc. O-rings! I always need an o-ring. I'ts good to have spare parts on hand. Keeping them organized is another matter all together.

 

[Avenger]

Does the unit have a drain plug on the bottom of the axle? If so, I think I'd pull the plug, drill it part way in with an appropriate sized drill and install a magnet in the hole with epoxy. That way, the magnetic plug will attract anything and you can pull the plug and clean it.

Oh! I see what you're sayin. Make a magnetic plug out of the existing one. Usually I buy them, but making one would be faster and then I wouldn't need to measure this one! Just drill it, find a magnet, and epoxy it in. Should be simple enough.

 

[5030]

I'm sure you have a drill press and vice or at least I presume you do. I chucked mine in one of my shop lathes and drilled them and did the same for the barbed breather fitting. least with magnetic drain plugs, they will attract any ferrous stuff and collect it for you and keep it out of the lubricant. If you don't, Harbor Freight has a nice benchtop drill press on sale for 89 bucks. I'm going to buy one this week but I won't use it as a drill press at all as all I really need is the base, column and tilting table.

I'll get a piece of mild steel and bore the column OD in the back of it, and secure it (I'll weld it) to the top of the column so I can mount my magnetic drill on it and pick up a flat drill press vice and mount that to the table with slides so I can move it back and forth. That way I can use the mag drill and annular cutters or drills in the drill chuck to drill holes and it will sit nicely on one of my bench tops (screwed down of course) and if I need the mag drill for other tasks it will still be available. Gonna wind up tossing the headstock, belt drive and motor entirely along with the supplied JT3 drill chuck.

 

[Bobrown14]

I've towed my MT352 outta the wood lot with a pickup Tacoma pickup truck. So towing out of a field would be pretty easy just need another hand and tow straps. I pulled mine in reverse around a bunch of solar panels.

That said - I'd get the dealer to fix under warranty if thats an option. Otherwise wait until early spring when its all muddy out and repair yourself.

Edit: for parts try Messicks they have everything for that same tractor with new holland on the hood. I've waited 5 days the longest wait and much cheaper than LS.