After using my new L4740 HSTC-1 for about 16 hrs, I decided to again squirt a little grease into the FEL zerks. Kubota recommends to re-grease the loader arm bushing joints every 10 hrs of use, and I had initially lubricated all fittings (FEL plus every other nipple I could find on the machine) at 8 hrs. I used a lithium based grease (Traveller) I picked up at TSC, but will switch to Mystic JT6 after I use up the current tube in the gun.
I was able to pump grease into all fittings except for the right front knuckle joint, what Kubota terms the "front wheel case support", at the top of the right front column. After 5-6 pumps, I noticed the pressure increasing inside the joint (handle very hard to operate) without grease oozing from around the joint. Upon attempting to remove the gun from the nipple, no go. The pressure was high enough it froze the receptacle to the zerk nipple and the receptacle wouldn't disengage. I unthreaded the zerk from the housing and with a loud "pop" the zerk went flying skyward - fortunately still attached to the flexible rubber tube on the gun or I would have lost it. Fair amount of grease spray out of the zerk hole as well. Replaced the zerk and gently tried to inject grease, but again I noted the pressure beginning to build so I stopped.
This caused me some degree of concern. It had accepted the grease without a problem the first time. If it was a compatibility problem between the factory grease and the grease I used causing the grease inside the housing to cake or harden, it should have happened to all of the other fittings I lubricated. But it didn't - just that one. I contacted my dealer who suggested raising the front axle off the ground with the FEL and then try injecting grease, thinking it might relieve some of the pressure on the joint. I gave it a try, but same result.
I spoke with a mechanic at another nearby dealership yesterday who told me the bushings on some new machines are so tight that it won't accept grease. He also told me that the front wheel case joints use a sealed oil-immersion lubrication with the grease as a supplemental lubricant. His recommendation was to use the tractor for 50 or so hours to let the bushing wear a little, and then try re-greasing. I don't have a problem with that, since the recommended lube interval in my operators manual states to grease that joint every 50 hrs, but then why would it accept grease the first time but not the second. He also said that if it wouldn't take grease after 100 hrs of use, they would take the joint apart and cut a little crease in the bushing to allow the grease to flow out. Hmmm.
Anybody have a similar problem with their Kubota? I love the machine and don't think this a significant problem - yet. Is there any chance that mixing grease could cause the combination to cake and seal the outflow from the casing? It easily flowed from around the joint the first time I greased it. If that were to be the situation, should I disassemble the casing and clean out the joint. Or should I do that anyway, or just wait and see what happens? What I don't understand is why it greased ok the first time and not the second. Any and all recommendations appreciated and thank God I ran across this forum to bounce these and other questions off. Being a neophyte tractor owner, having a worldwide knowledge resource such as this is a great benefit. Thanks.
I was able to pump grease into all fittings except for the right front knuckle joint, what Kubota terms the "front wheel case support", at the top of the right front column. After 5-6 pumps, I noticed the pressure increasing inside the joint (handle very hard to operate) without grease oozing from around the joint. Upon attempting to remove the gun from the nipple, no go. The pressure was high enough it froze the receptacle to the zerk nipple and the receptacle wouldn't disengage. I unthreaded the zerk from the housing and with a loud "pop" the zerk went flying skyward - fortunately still attached to the flexible rubber tube on the gun or I would have lost it. Fair amount of grease spray out of the zerk hole as well. Replaced the zerk and gently tried to inject grease, but again I noted the pressure beginning to build so I stopped.
This caused me some degree of concern. It had accepted the grease without a problem the first time. If it was a compatibility problem between the factory grease and the grease I used causing the grease inside the housing to cake or harden, it should have happened to all of the other fittings I lubricated. But it didn't - just that one. I contacted my dealer who suggested raising the front axle off the ground with the FEL and then try injecting grease, thinking it might relieve some of the pressure on the joint. I gave it a try, but same result.
I spoke with a mechanic at another nearby dealership yesterday who told me the bushings on some new machines are so tight that it won't accept grease. He also told me that the front wheel case joints use a sealed oil-immersion lubrication with the grease as a supplemental lubricant. His recommendation was to use the tractor for 50 or so hours to let the bushing wear a little, and then try re-greasing. I don't have a problem with that, since the recommended lube interval in my operators manual states to grease that joint every 50 hrs, but then why would it accept grease the first time but not the second. He also said that if it wouldn't take grease after 100 hrs of use, they would take the joint apart and cut a little crease in the bushing to allow the grease to flow out. Hmmm.
Anybody have a similar problem with their Kubota? I love the machine and don't think this a significant problem - yet. Is there any chance that mixing grease could cause the combination to cake and seal the outflow from the casing? It easily flowed from around the joint the first time I greased it. If that were to be the situation, should I disassemble the casing and clean out the joint. Or should I do that anyway, or just wait and see what happens? What I don't understand is why it greased ok the first time and not the second. Any and all recommendations appreciated and thank God I ran across this forum to bounce these and other questions off. Being a neophyte tractor owner, having a worldwide knowledge resource such as this is a great benefit. Thanks.
