Help! BX24 Hydro Leak

[x703jko]

Hi.

After 2 hours of intermittent use of the backhoe today, I noticed the smell of fresh hydro fluid. And I noticed smoke (probably burning hydro fluid) coming from underneath the tracktor.

I stopped it immediately...Noticed hyrdrofluid under the seat area and on the ground.

Hydro fluid was full when I started...now it's almost empty AND after putting 2 gallons of SUDT in it, it's still not to up to the dipstick.

After letting it sit for 15 minutes or so, I tried it again and I can see it spraying out from somewhere under the seat...



I know there's a check valve or relief valve somewhere underneath the seat....

Note...it's not terribly hot hear today - mid 70's

What should I do?

Please help

Jeff

 

[Volfandt]

1st off, be extremely careful around that leak as high pressure hydraulic fluid can penetrate your skin and cause serious injury & infection.

With the engine off check to see if the tractor to BH hydraulic couplings are connected tight and dry. It could be that one or both are either loose or defective.
repair/replace as necessary.

Another area to check is the hydraulic block. This is where all the external hydraulic implements/controls get their power. It is located on the HST just above the left rear wheel. Could be a loose connector on it.

There is a vent just below the seat and it could be the problem but generally we don't hear of it spewing fluid at as high a rate as you indicate. You can identify it by it's red cap.

You BX should still be under warranty, sounds like a dealer visit is in order.

 

[x703jko]

1st off, be extremely careful around that leak as high pressure hydraulic fluid can penetrate your skin and cause serious injury & infection.

With the engine off check to see if the tractor to BH hydraulic couplings are connected tight and dry. It could be that one or both are either loose or defective.
repair/replace as necessary.

Another area to check is the hydraulic block. This is where all the external hydraulic implements/controls get their power. It is located on the HST just above the left rear wheel. Could be a loose connector on it.

There is a vent just below the seat and it could be the problem but generally we don't hear of it spewing fluid at as high a rate as you indicate. You can identify it by it's red cap.

You BX should still be under warranty, sounds like a dealer visit is in order.

Volfandt. Thanks for the info.

I'll check the hoses/couplings - however, the leak is definately coming from under the seat...I hear it sputtering and spewing when I turn on the engine.

Can the relief valve be adjusted or fiddled with?

Jeff

 

[x703jko]

More observations:

1) Transmission is fully cooled - still spewing hydro fluid and gases.
2) Fluid is shooting out from the opening in the body where the mower height adjustment knob comes through the body of the tractor.
3) Checked the connections to the backhoe. They're all seated properly.
4) Didn't check the fittings next the the left rear wheel.
5) I know the fan is fine...it was fine when I put my bro-tek skid plate on and I've used the tractor for at least 20 hours since then.

I called the "24/7" service line for my dealer - no response yet...



Anyone else have any clues?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[x703jko]

Correction - fluid is shooting out of the opening where the quarter inching valve adjustment knob emerges from the body of the tractor.

From the BX24 service manual, this suggests that the control valve mechanism may have a leak somewhere.

Anyone have any comments regarding this?

Jeff

 

[x703jko]

Ok.

Had a Kubota tech from Finch Services in Hanover, PA at my place this morning.

After seeing the magnitude of the leak, he decided to NOT attempt to drive it out of the woods. Instead, he took off the ROPS, floor board, fender etc., thinking the leak was coming from the top of the hydro system.

After about an hour, we checked for obvious problems and found none. We started it up - fluid was GUSHING from below the hydro system. Tech suspected a leak in the filter. Reached down and found nothing obvious.

Then we spent another 45 minutes dropping the skid plates - which in hindsight would have obviated the first hour of work.

Then, we started it again...fluid was POURING from where the filter attaches to the pump.

Tech suspected bad filter. He pulls it and couldn't believe his eyes...the entire bottom of the filter where it mates to the pump was bowed OUTWARD which meant that it was no longer making a seal...hence the leak.

The tech said (clearly) that this must be due to over pressure and suspected that the relief valve wasn't working right...and he says he can't replace it in the field.

So....he gets another filter, installs it, adds 2 gals of SUDT...and we attempt to drive it to his trailer...we get 25 feet before the second filter has the same problem!!!!!!!!!!!


Luckily, we were now in a position where we could tow the tractor out to his trailer...

BX24 is now at the dealer....more to come..

By the way, unlike a lot of posters here...I have had nothing but good experiences with Finch Services...anyone in the North-Central Maryland...south Central PA area looking for Kubotas should consider Finch.

Jeff

 

[Texas Dodge]

Keep us updated on what the problem was.

 

[x703jko]

Keep us updated on what the problem was.

I suspect (and the tech agreed) that the relief valve was not set correctly before the unit was delivered.

At first the tech was adamant that this was impossible for tractors they deliver...but then when I reminded him that they got the tractor from another dealer, he agreed that they may NOT have prepped the unit...trusting instead that the other dealer did the prep (incorrectly).

What amazes me is that the pump can deliver enough pressure to deform the filter can...in under 3 minutes I might add....wow!

I'll post more when I get more...
Jeff

 

[x703jko]

Just spoke to the service tech at Finch Services...

He pulled the relief valve assembly...it had SIX...(6) shims in it.

He tells me that normally only 1 or 2 shims are needed. Each shim increases the relief valve opening pressure by 40 psi.

He's going to start with one shim, check the pressure and proceed accordingly...

Stay tuned...

 

[kennyd]

By the way, unlike a lot of posters here...I have had nothing but good experiences with Finch Services...anyone in the North-Central Maryland...south Central PA area looking for Kubotas should consider Finch.

Jeff

Wow, What a story-Glad it's coming to a happy ending though

My only problem a Finch's (Westminster) is the salesmen-one in particular who has a "holier than though" attitude. He gave me a big blow-off when I was tractor shopping so I bought elsewhere. The service department was absolutely top notch with some warranty issues I had even though I did not purchase from them. The parts counter guys are great also-especially when I get into some strange projects and need their help.

 

[x703jko]

I found the Westminster sales guys a bit aloof as well.

However, I decided on a Kubota, so I deal with the guys in Hanover...who are all really great...from the sales guys to the parts and service guys.

Jeff

 

[x703jko]

Just talked to the tech at Finch again...

He removed 4 shims and the pressure is right at spec...1840 psi (manual says 1849 psi).

It's hard to believe that 160 psi over pressure could have caused the failure we saw on TWO filter cans.

Tech agrees and is going to call Kubota to get their opinion.

All other system pressures (HST , implement, etc.) are within spec as well.

SUDT temp would NOT cause this...as pressure will fall with temperature of the fluid.

Very weird...

Standby for further traffic...

 

[x703jko]

Ok. We're back to where we were on Monday....

The tech informs me that while backing the tractor out of the shop today, it blew another filter...

Something is seriously amiss...

Kubota has not called him back yet.

All I can say is I'm glad I'm still under warranty.

Stand by...

 

[x703jko]

OK. Problem solved....

The tech found a 1/2" piece of what looks like gasket sealant or something similar trapped over one of the ports in the relief valve. This was causing the valve to malfunction.

Once the piece was removed, the problem disappeared.

Tech flushed the hydro system, put in new fluid, and now everything is fine.

I used the hoe at 3300 RPM for most of the afternoon....not one drop of SUDT leaked from the system.

Hopefully, everything is now fine.

 

[EastTnFarmboy]

Glad it came to a happy ending. I blew an o-ring and dropped 2.5 gallons of fluid in a few seconds the evening I took delivery. It was a scary thought to have a brand new tractor that wasn't right. In my case, the dealer hadn't checked the bolts on the third function valve before delivery. They were loose, and that caused the failure. It is a great relief when you know that warranty is there!

Good luck!

 

[randy Wright]

I was clearing with my L3400 when a stick poked something and I heard a pop.
Same as earlier poster fluid poring out under pressure. I am not sure from where yet as I cannot see under tractor too much fluid spraying. It does not appear to be hoses.

It appears to be near the filter can. Can anybody tell me where there leak was on their sand how much to repair? I limped into garage and shut down.

I am just at the 400 hour mark to change hst fluid. First tractor. Already fixed a couple of other things but love this machine. Oviedo fla 10 acre farm.
Front end loader and backhoe.

 

[rdsaustintx]

I was clearing with my L3400 when a stick poked something and I heard a pop.
Same as earlier poster fluid poring out under pressure. I am not sure from where yet as I cannot see under tractor too much fluid spraying. It does not appear to be hoses.

Be REAL careful around a hydraulic leak. High pressure fluid can maim you so fast it ain't funny. Read the manual. Seriously.

It appears to be near the filter can. Can anybody tell me where there leak was on their sand how much to repair? I limped into garage and shut down.

No way to even guess until we know what got tatered.

I am just at the 400 hour mark to change hst fluid. First tractor. Already fixed a couple of other things but love this machine. Oviedo fla 10 acre farm.
Front end loader and backhoe.

Congrats and welcome to TBN. You will find many informed (and a few not so informed) opinions here. You might want to start a new thread and post up some pictures.

Russell in BubbaLand

 

[techman]

I don't mean to downplay risks, but I have worked for a major hydraulic OEM for over 30 years. We frequently have systems running at 4000-5000 PSI. Generally the biggest danger is from getting hit by a hose that blows off of a fitting, or something similar. The risk of an oil leak getting into or cutting the skin is extremely low. It takes a very small pinhole and you should need to wrap your hand around the leak, since the energy in the stream dissipates quickly over distance.

Respect but try not to fear hydraulics.

paul

 

[randy Wright]

will try and get some pix today and post later tonight .