Help, Leaking fluid...

[jlbrewer]

Well, I got my Kioti ck30hst out yesterday for some work finally. Was very impressed with the tractor and got some good lot clearing done. After about 8 hours worth of work, however, I parked it in the garage and immediately noticed oil dripping onto the concrete. It appears to be coming from an access hole near where the transmission/rear end mate up. I've tried looking up in there but can't really see where the oil is coming from. I'm guessing about a quart of fluid has run out since yesterday and now my transmission level is just barely showing on the dipstick. I haven't started the tractor and won't until I can get some oil in the transmission, but am very concerned about this leak. Hopefully will get the tractor to the dealer next week but just hoping some of you would chime in on what this might be.... I'm thinking some sort of seal leaking going into the transmission.

Thanks for any help

 

[MotorSeven]

Clarify, is it oil or hydro fluid? If you were grubbing you may have snagged a branch or root & have a hose leaking.

RD

 

[jlbrewer]

It is hydro fluid. I have looked around at the hoses/fittings in the area. It is specifically coming from inside the BIG cast iron area where the transmission/rear end mate. There is a hole machined in the bottom of this piece that is about 2" in diameter (that is where the oil is dripping from). The driveshaft to the front axle also comes through here. If it were a truck, I would call it the transfer case, but I don't know a lot about tractors.

By the way, after the initial leakage, it appears to have stopped. I am still concerned about it though, as leaks usually don't heal themselves.

 

[MotorSeven]

Dang, i don't have my CK30 anymore or i would crawl under there & take a look. It's strange that it stopped leaking, it could be a hydro hose that leaks under pressure. Check & make sure nothing above is leaking & be carefull agound the hydro hoses. A pin hole leak can be dangerous & get into the skin/blood stream instantly so wear a leather glove while checking.
Maybe someone else here has some more thoughts.....
RD

 

[IslandTractor]

By the way, after the initial leakage, it appears to have stopped. I am still concerned about it though, as leaks usually don't heal themselves.

Actually, I had a similar experience with my DK40se. One day I noticed a small puddle (?couple of ounces) of fluid under the left rear of the tractor. I cleaned up the rear just so I'd be able to see where it was coming from but it never happened again. Conceivable that it came out the HST dipstick hole or even a one of the rear remotes but bottom line was that I never fixed anything and it never happened again. Must have been gremlins fooling around under the tractor. I'll set traps if it happens again.

 

[Highbeam]

I've developed a consistent slow leak of HST fluid just rear of that hole you describe. Where the transfer case meets up with the tranny. It looks to be a big ol' seal in the middle of the machine. The wet spot is about 16" across right now. Slow drip and not effecting the fluid level.

Mines up to about 720 hours though and has been leak free. I hoped working her really hard this last weekend would chase the gremlin away so I used a moldboard plow to flop 8" thick sod over on about an acre of field and then disced it. All low range, with a hefty load on the engine. Still drips.

This might not help you much except to say that you're not alone?

 

[jlbrewer]

Thanks Highbeam, yours sounds more like mine than anyone else has talked about. Haven't been able to use the tractor for several days due to a busy week, but I've been looking each day and the puddle in the garage isn't getting any bigger. Hopefully will get to work it out this weekend and see if the leak comes back. I still have a couple of months of warranty left, does anyone know if these seals would be covered?

 

[MotorSeven]

Yes it should be covered. Hopefully Wallace will pop in & confirm.


RD

 

[jlbrewer]

Just an update....

Took tractor in for service about a week and a half ago, looks like everything will be covered under warranty. He had to split the tractor to get to the rear end seals. Parts on order, hopefully will be back in action by the end of the week. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Highbeam]

What kind of bill does splitting the tractor generate?

 

[jlbrewer]

Don't know yet, it's being covered under warranty. I'll ask when I pick up my CK30 what it would have cost me, and then I'll let you know.

 

[Highbeam]

Thanks, curious to know since my leak seems to be pretty steady and from a main joint all around the main structure.

 

[jlbrewer]

Well, finally picked up my tractor yesterday after 5 weeks in the shop. They ended up replacing the hydro pump after the seal replacement did not stop the leak. By the way, my dealer said the warranty records showed that this tractor had already had the o-rings replaced two previous times, and he found some silicone around a couple of screws when he removed the pump. I guess I got really lucky having the remainder of the factory warranty when I bought this tractor, cause he said the pump alone would have been about $1900, not counting labor. I guess I know now why this tractor was traded in.

Highbeam, I never did really find out how much the seal job would have been by itself.