Oil & Fuel Fluid leak RK55HC

[gunny0628]

Well it’s been awhile since posting on here, been busy with the holidays and life and some personal issues. Been reading when I can and keeping up without responding too much.

I did a little field dragging yesterday and parked the tractor in the driveway so I could shop vac it out. Later when I came outside to move it down to the barn I noticed a leak underneath. At first I thought it was the air conditioner. But I didn’t run it.

After I moved the tractor to the barn the fluid was still on the driveway. Plenty of time had passed for it to evaporate if it were water. I noticed a similar leak at the barn concrete pad and inspected it.

Nearest I can tell is it is coming from the area where there is a metal shroud covering a driveshaft or steering shaft? It’s a skinny long shroud and when I feel inside the shroud it feels like a rod with some gearing. This shroud is in the middle of the tractor directly across from the mounting step. The leak is toward the front.

I’ll grab a picture when it gets light out. The leak looked like about the size of a pancake.

Thanks Gunny

 

[gunny0628]

The best I can tell it is meaning from the shroud covering the driveshaft. At the front.

 

[gunny0628]

Leaking not meaning.

 

[ptsg]

Might very well be the seal for the front axle drive shaft. It can be either at the axle end or at the transmission end and just drips through the shroud all the way to the front.

 

[gunny0628]

That sounds pretty serious. Is there a cause? I have 66 hours on the tractor.

 

[fried1765]

That sounds pretty serious. Is there a cause? I have 66 hours on the tractor.

RK provides an 8 year warranty.
They should promptly agree to fix the problem.

 

[ptsg]

I don't really know the cause. Maybe a simple nick on the seal during assembly or something.

For instance, on the SDF (Same Deutz Fahr group), on the CUT tractors, they had an issue with the seal on the input shaft of the transmission that would fail, usually after the warranty expired, and would fill the bell housing with oil and trashing the clutch with it. The owner had to eat all the costs...

Anyways, if it's the 4WD drive shaft seals, looks like it can be done without take the front axle off or splitting the tractor. If it's the main input shaft seal, there it's a bit more complex.

But this is just speculating. It may also be as simple as a hose leaking and dripping all the way through there. You may want to take a very close look to check from where it comes.

 

[gunny0628]

So I just got home from church and pulled it out and looked and it looks like it’s coming from the big case that the driveshaft is going into. Here’s some pictures. It’s still wet but doesn’t seem to be actively leaking. It’s clear fluid like hydraulic fluid.

 

[gunny0628]

It’s toward the front of the tractor and I checked and I didn’t see fluid dripping down from anywhere. It’s seems to be coming out from the seam at that case.

 

[Jchonline]

Clean it off completely then run it again. You want to be sure it isnt leaking down from another spot. However it looks like a warranty repair so I would go ahead and put a call into RK. Now you get to test their service!

 

[ptsg]

Looks like it's leaking from where the both transmission cases bolt together.

Either way, time to call the dealer.

 

[gunny0628]

Thanks guys. I had really good luck with the Williston service center already. Keeping my fingers crossed it’s still the same.

I ran it for a short time and checked again to see if it was coming from anywhere. I put a new brown paper bag under the spot to see if the leak continues.

 

[DonRybak]

Gunny, you have any update for us on the leak?.......Don

 

[gunny0628]

Sorry Don. Life has me twisted lately with stuff going on. I was told it was probably the bolts on the case were lose or not fully tightened.

I wiped the area off and ran the tractor again, without tightening the bolts, and haven’t seen anymore fluid.

I’m not sure why it was leaking for the day when I observed it. I plan on running it again this weekend and will check to see if there are anymore leaks.

Sorry for the delay.

 

[DonRybak]

Thanks for the update gunny. I was afraid that RK blew you off. That is odd that it leaks then it doesn't. No way that the bolts could have loosed and then tightened themselves again. That is really weird. Only explanation would be the change in temps. We have had one heck of a temp variation the last few weeks.............Don

 

[jethroish]

Gonna have to check/keep an eye on my now. I have a shuttle. Don't know if that will make a difference.

 

[gunny0628]

I don’t know the real answer. I tried to tighten the bolts. Maybe a couple moved a millimeter. Not much to cause the leak. Since then I haven’t really used the tractor. I’m gonna use it during the week and see if it leaks again. If it does I’ll let RK diagnose it.