One of the issues on the older L series was a oil leak at the front axel hub pivot. I was looking at the new GL series and they seem to have the exact same design. Have they address the seal issure or do the new GLs leak at the axel also? The Deere drivers seem to have the same issue with the 4000 series. Whats with this? I don't think the big row crop tractors have to have the front axel gaskets replaced every few hundered hours so why can't they design a better sealing system for the little tractors? Is it becasue in Japan they don't use loaders and we over stress the front axels with loader work?
Has Kubota fixed the leaking front axel on the L series?
- Thread starter bilrus61
- Start date
- Views: 19472
repete
Veteran Member
Which L tractor do you have?
rbargeron
Elite Member
Kubota redesigned the upper seal assembly - the axle still looks the same from the outside. I think the problem is reduced - but still occurring in some cases. Search TBN for more posts about front axle seals. There's a thread here with links to several others. If you read it all you'll be an expert. Take care, Dick B
I have a L4200 that is 12 years old. Has had a VERY slow leak in the left axel for 3 years. Not any bother really except for making little spots on the concrete. Just every now and then I'll add a little bit of gear oil to top it off till it runs out the check hole.
Dead Horse
Platinum Member
Same here with my '00 L 3710. no biggie. I just check the oil every 6 mos or so. couple of squirts of oil is all it will take.
Gordon Gould
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
- Messages
- 6,719
- Location
- NorthEastern, VT
- Tractor
- Kubota L3010DT, Kubota M5640SUD, Dresser TD7G Dozer
My 2000 L3010 hasn't leaked yet - but i'm watching it
simonmeridew
Silver Member
my L4400 doesn't leak anywhere. 4+ years, 180 hrs
simonmeridew
simonmeridew
repete
Veteran Member
I can change the seals on my 2550 in the dark... When they start POURING gear lube I replace them. I do spend quite a bit of time in mud and Cow s--- though.
rbargeron
Elite Member
The danger of failed upper pivot seals is that they let water in, corroding the bearings (and floating the oil out). So machines that spend their life outside or work in mud etc. are more likely to eventually need attention.
repete
Veteran Member
I do not think it helped that they provided no venting to the axle. I drilled and tapped my plug to accept a 1/8" pipe thread to 1/4" barbed hose fitting. I then ran a 1/4" hose up into he engine compartment ending in an inline fuel filter to clean the dust from the air.
art
Super Member
Not really the issue here! We normally find dirt or grass type stuff when they have a problem of this type. We have had people just use the unit more and had them stop, and some don't but normally you can work it out. To change over to gear oil will also help slow it down.
Texas Fella
Silver Member
Another issue that causes front axle leaks (on units with loaders) is impropper ballast. If you do not have enough weight on the rear of the tractor when doing loader work (especially in 4wd) it puts too much stress on the front axle. This is because without the ballest on the back of the tractor, the weight distribution is shifted forward and it is too much weight for the front axle to handle. This is true of all brands of tractors. Not saying ballast is the answer to every front axle failure, but is can be a significant contributing factor. Just FYI.
