Oil & Fuel Hydraulic fittings leaking.

[dnadeveloper]

I recently got a BX23s. With less than 20 hours on it, the third function valve body started leaking at a fitting that had to be tightened. Then I was digging with the backhoe and when the thing went dead I found that the fitting to the lower cylinder that moves it right and left had spewed gallons of oil. $$$$
My question is, should I be pissed at the dealer for not torquing fittings properly or is this something to be expected and I, as the operator, should be torquing and checking often.
Thanks in advance

 

[lharrell799]

I would not expect the dealer to go through and torque each fitting on a 20 hour used tractor. I think most dealers and consumers would expect a 20 hour tractor to operate like a new tractor, so there shouldn't be a reason to check the fittings. However, I would expect the dealer to stand behind the product they sold you. I would give them a call and explain what happened. Tell them you would like to bring the tractor back, so they can fix the issue and refill the hydraulic fluid. I bet they will take care of you.

 

[dnadeveloper]

Thanks for the feedback.
Unfortunately here in North jersey, the the dealer is in NY and about hour away. I had it delivered for lack of a trailer so unless I buy a trailer it's a $300 round trip. For that money I would tighten my own fittings and eat the cost of the UDT. Also, just to clarify, I bought the tractor new, I put the 20 hours on it with pretty light use.

 

[diesel85]

^^ x2

It's not like it's all that involved to tighten some hoses. Some opened ended box wrenches is all you need. Plus you get to be familiar with your machine.

I always laugh when I see a guy bring his tractor to the shop for leaking hoses... what a waste..... just take the hose off, and bring it to the shop and have them cut and clamp a new fitting on. Makes me second guess the operator. LOL

Maybe they just like to haul their machine around town to show it off?!

Drives me crazy that sometimes the operator will repair his/her tractor right in the parking lot too. Thus leaking fluid all over the parking lot, trailer, etc. Making a huge mess. At least have the courtesy of bringing a rag or some cat litter with you...

 

[dnadeveloper]

^^ x2

It's not like it's all that involved to tighten some hoses. Some opened ended box wrenches is all you need. Plus you get to be familiar with your machine.

I always laugh when I see a guy bring his tractor to the shop for leaking hoses... what a waste..... just take the hose off, and bring it to the shop and have them cut and clamp a new fitting on. Makes me second guess the operator. LOL

Maybe they just like to haul their machine around town to show it off?!

Drives me crazy that sometimes the operator will repair his/her tractor right in the parking lot too. Thus leaking fluid all over the parking lot, trailer, etc. Making a huge mess. At least have the courtesy of bringing a rag or some cat litter with you...

This was a case of several hose nuts coming lose during light operation on some hard to get at hoses on a new tractor with low hours and whether or not that goes with the territory of having a tractor or if I should have expected better on a brand new $26,000 lawn mower. I can tighten hoses, I can but another pail of UDT. The question is should it be expected as a normal part of ownership. The loss of fluid is expensive. We'll see when or if the hoses I tightened leak in the future.

 

[diesel85]

If they leak, it means the fitting is bad, or you need new Teflon tape (depending on the fitting style).

Typically, as long as they are tight, they will stay tight.

Keep in mind, diesel engines vibrate a lot more than gas engines, so that has a more pronounced effect on "things" randomly loosening up.

This is another reason people hate diesel engines. Personally, I love the feel of the vibration.... lets me know there's something under the hood cooking up some torque...

 

[/pine]

Observation is a fundamental part of general operation and maintenance...if a line or connection is dripping it should be noticed before it get to the point of "spewing lots of oil" ...granted, accidents happen and lines get broken or damaged etc...but as a rule most leaks don't stop on their own and usually get worse over time...
Depending on where a tractor is parked makes a difference how noticeable a slow drip can be so it's important to look it over every few times it's used...

 

[RickB]

Yes the dealer bears the responsibility for having hydraulic fittings tight, especially on accessories they installed, which your third function almost certainly is (dealer installed)

That said, an observant operator should have noticed the leak long before enough oil leaked out to affect the functionality of the machine. Hydrostatic transmissions need clean cool oil in the proper quantity in order to lead long happy lives.

I just re read your post. The problem with the hose on the backhoe swing cylinder is a known problem that I have discussed before. THAT is a factory screw up that would probably get missed at the dealer level had they not had a previous failure to learn from.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/410864-problems-new-kubota-bx23s-2.html

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

And welcome to tractor ownership... there is a plethora of threads and advice on what to do when you get your tractor delivered from the dealership; the most important is to 'trust but verify'. The recommendation is to; read your Owner Manual (twice!) then check everything, fluid levels, the torque on all of the wheel nuts, grease every nipple, spray lubricate everything that moves but doesn't have a grease nipple (zerk), and gently tighten every nut/bolt that you can see.

A dealership can miss something during the 'wet-up' procedure. Unless it's something blatant, there's no need to be "pissed" at the dealership. As you've stated, the fault didn't show up until 10-15 hours of operation... it's unfortunate that the hose connection 'backed off', but it happens.

This routine of checking/greasing/lubricating/torquing/tightening is a constant thing due, in part, to the vibration of the diesel engine and through the general use of your tractor performing its tasks in your environment. At least annually I will do a full torquing/tightening routine on my 4105. Every 6 months is a spray lubrication (lanolin lubrication spray) and a shot of grease into all of the nipples is a constant requirement according to use.

 

[PILOON]

Hey, oil leaks is part of owning powered equipment.
Sooner or later most powered equipment will gather its fair share of oil impregnated dirt.
Some sooner than later.