5030,
Yes, it's a hydro. Maybe you don't realize that the charge pump in the transmission only turns when the clutch is out? (it does) Maybe you didn't realize that there is no appreciable temperature increase in hydraulic fluid until it is circulated by letting out the clutch? (There isn't) Maybe you didn't realize that the leak occurred the instant that the clutch was let out? (it did) Maybe you didn't realize that the filter in question is filtering the post charge pump PRESSURE side and not the low pressure return? (see page 3-NM9 in the Kubota Workshop Manual figures 12190F30110 and 12190F30120) Maybe you didn't realize that there is a Filter Protective Relief Valve in the system to protect against cold fluid blowing out the filter when the clutch is let out--> but it is failing to provide the intended protection! Maybe you didn't realize that a competent engineer would have ensured that it provides the intended protection, allowing the operator of the tractor to warm it up without catastrophic failure of the filter. Maybe you don't realize that backing off a trailer is far and away less than the intended purpose of a tractor? Maybe you didn't read that the tractor has Amsoil synthetic fluid in it, which is rated the same viscosity as SUDT?
I was not in a "hurry", I didn't need to leave sooner. The temperature was between 15 and 17 degrees F. The engine was idling at 1300 rpm. It was allowed to idle for approximately 1 minute - till the exhaust cleared up and the engine smoothed out. This didn't take long as it wasn't that cold out. As I said, it started leaking the instant the clutch was let out and spewed nearly a gallon of fluid in the 3 feet that I backed up. Yes, I do know what I am doing. This is not my first diesel, nor my only tractor. I do treat my equipment right. Filters are changed much more frequently than required by the book. I buy them in bulk and change them every spring and again when fluids are changed at the end of summer. The quality of fluids I use are higher than those supplied by Kubota. I do my own maintenance from pumping the grease gun to rebuilding engines.
Since you make you living with your equipment, how would you feel if every time you start up your $90,000 Western Star you don't know if it is going blow out the main hydraulic filter the instant you let out the clutch? How about after the third time it happened? How about if you found that the replacement filter in question had been changed in design and construction each time it was replaced after it blew? (the replacement being new and improved to fix this issue, that Kubota won't acknowledge). How about if you use the upgraded filters and best available low temp fluids only to have it happen again and again?
To keep you from having to search the archives, the first time this occurred the tractor was new. It blew out the filter's o-ring while it was idling --> in the act of warming it up prior to use. The clutch was not dogged down. It blew out nearly all of the fluid onto the floor of the shed and would have done serious damage had it idled longer. I idle all my diesels between 1200 and 1400 to warm them. The dealer told me that the cure was to dog down the clutch peddle while it warms up. The second time the tractor had been idled for 20-30 minutes with the clutch dogged down, was reading normally on the coolant temp gage before moving it and it still blew out within 25 yards of the equipment shed. I know other folks that have had similar if not the same experience with cool and cold weather operation of Kubota HST tractors. Boondox is one that is fairly well known on this site. This is not an isolated issue that has only happened to me due to operator error.
Enjoy your $90,000 Western Star and your 5030. I do hope that your HST system has had this engineering flaw fixed.
jb
Yes, it's a hydro. Maybe you don't realize that the charge pump in the transmission only turns when the clutch is out? (it does) Maybe you didn't realize that there is no appreciable temperature increase in hydraulic fluid until it is circulated by letting out the clutch? (There isn't) Maybe you didn't realize that the leak occurred the instant that the clutch was let out? (it did) Maybe you didn't realize that the filter in question is filtering the post charge pump PRESSURE side and not the low pressure return? (see page 3-NM9 in the Kubota Workshop Manual figures 12190F30110 and 12190F30120) Maybe you didn't realize that there is a Filter Protective Relief Valve in the system to protect against cold fluid blowing out the filter when the clutch is let out--> but it is failing to provide the intended protection! Maybe you didn't realize that a competent engineer would have ensured that it provides the intended protection, allowing the operator of the tractor to warm it up without catastrophic failure of the filter. Maybe you don't realize that backing off a trailer is far and away less than the intended purpose of a tractor? Maybe you didn't read that the tractor has Amsoil synthetic fluid in it, which is rated the same viscosity as SUDT?
I was not in a "hurry", I didn't need to leave sooner. The temperature was between 15 and 17 degrees F. The engine was idling at 1300 rpm. It was allowed to idle for approximately 1 minute - till the exhaust cleared up and the engine smoothed out. This didn't take long as it wasn't that cold out. As I said, it started leaking the instant the clutch was let out and spewed nearly a gallon of fluid in the 3 feet that I backed up. Yes, I do know what I am doing. This is not my first diesel, nor my only tractor. I do treat my equipment right. Filters are changed much more frequently than required by the book. I buy them in bulk and change them every spring and again when fluids are changed at the end of summer. The quality of fluids I use are higher than those supplied by Kubota. I do my own maintenance from pumping the grease gun to rebuilding engines.
Since you make you living with your equipment, how would you feel if every time you start up your $90,000 Western Star you don't know if it is going blow out the main hydraulic filter the instant you let out the clutch? How about after the third time it happened? How about if you found that the replacement filter in question had been changed in design and construction each time it was replaced after it blew? (the replacement being new and improved to fix this issue, that Kubota won't acknowledge). How about if you use the upgraded filters and best available low temp fluids only to have it happen again and again?
To keep you from having to search the archives, the first time this occurred the tractor was new. It blew out the filter's o-ring while it was idling --> in the act of warming it up prior to use. The clutch was not dogged down. It blew out nearly all of the fluid onto the floor of the shed and would have done serious damage had it idled longer. I idle all my diesels between 1200 and 1400 to warm them. The dealer told me that the cure was to dog down the clutch peddle while it warms up. The second time the tractor had been idled for 20-30 minutes with the clutch dogged down, was reading normally on the coolant temp gage before moving it and it still blew out within 25 yards of the equipment shed. I know other folks that have had similar if not the same experience with cool and cold weather operation of Kubota HST tractors. Boondox is one that is fairly well known on this site. This is not an isolated issue that has only happened to me due to operator error.
Enjoy your $90,000 Western Star and your 5030. I do hope that your HST system has had this engineering flaw fixed.
jb
