Kubota BX22 Transmission Case Damage

[KWentling]

Can you tell I'm not happy with Kubota the company and the Kubota dealer in Fort Smith? Oh by the way, because they tore the transmission apart instead of looking inside with a bore scope, I own them $450 already.[/QUOTE]

Having turned some wrenches, and used a bore scope a few times, it's going to be impossible to determine the extent of the damage looking through that hole. A tear down is the only way to be accurate. I wonder too if it wasn't the diff lock going between a gear and the bottom of the case. I have a BX22 also and am very careful to make sure a wheel is not spinning when I engage it. As far as the case goes, if the damage is only the hole punched through, that can be welded. Did they tell you what happened? What's broken internally? This is something I would fix myself on a tractor way out of warranty, but not everyone has that option. Sorry for your troubles. I think you need to be calm and reasonable when dealing with this. $450 to this point doesn't seem out of line to me.

Kim

 

[joshuabardwell]

Having turned some wrenches, and used a bore scope a few times, it's going to be impossible to determine the extent of the damage looking through that hole. A tear down is the only way to be accurate.

This is good advice. You may be right that the dealer's mechanic is incompetent, and if you are right, then your rage is just. But it may also be the case that you are simply reeling from the shock of the repair bill. You've latched onto the idea that the mechanic should have used a borescope to diagnose the problem, like a drowing man latches onto a piece of drift-wood. If, as KWentling suggests, the mechanic acted responsibly by opening up the transmission before diagnosing, then your outrage is mis-directed at an innocent, and you may be about to unnecessarily alienate the very person who is going to be performing said repair.

Whatever you decide to do next, take Jefferson's advice and, "When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred."

Also: I don't know how mechanically inclined you are, but if the tractor is out of warranty, there is little to lose by diving in yourself. For the price of the mechanic's labor, you might have opened it up yourself and posted pics to TBN for us to ogle and take pot-shots at diagnosing.

 

[MHarryE]

That crack extending out from the side of the hole is definitely from something on the inside pushing out. Agree that something after the transmission broke or you wouldn't have front wheel drive. A part wedged between a rotating part and the case and it punched through. It will need a tear down to see what internal damage has been done. Don't know about ability to repair and reuse the case. The problem may not have done damage more than punching the hole that let the fluid, and the broken part, fall out. I have been able to salvage transmission housings that have had a hole punched in them but it all depends on the critical internal parts and what other damage might have been done.

 

[sixdogs]

That crack extending out from the side of the hole is definitely from something on the inside pushing out. Agree that something after the transmission broke or you wouldn't have front wheel drive. A part wedged between a rotating part and the case and it punched through. It will need a tear down to see what internal damage has been done. Don't know about ability to repair and reuse the case. The problem may not have done damage more than punching the hole that let the fluid, and the broken part, fall out...

.

This makes the most sense to me, that someting came apart on the inside and wedged in the case. Very difficult to diagnose completely without a tear down. The good news is I think you can find a used case at a tractor boneyard. Stuff happens and sometimes bad things happen to good tractors.

 

[EE_Bota]

Although I did mention a method by which you could potentially take a look inside for himself for not very much money, I had no expectation that a mechanic would do so. You'd have to ask him directly, and he may not even have a device to do that inspection. The tear down has value...it is not $450 wasted. I don't believe they have wronged you in any way at this point.

I'd pay them to fix it since it is now tore down. Or, I'd ask them what they'd pay me to let them keep the tractor, repair it, and sell it used on the lot.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Anybody want to bet a spinning application of the diff lock grenaded the differential??

And if anybody has ever priced a true Olympus bore scope they are not $80.....that will not even rent one for a day.


David Kb7uns

 

[EE_Bota]

Anybody want to bet a spinning application of the diff lock grenaded the differential??

And if anybody has ever priced a true Olympus bore scope they are not $80.....that will not even rent one for a day.


David Kb7uns

A bore scope wouldn't be appropriate for that application anyway, I don't think. Either something is very close to that hole or the piece that got dislodged was huge. I handy thing to be on the lookout for is a military surplus endoscope. What times I saw them, I didn't have the money to buy, but now that I have the money, I don't see them. Endoscopes can wriggle like a worm, and are handier in tight spots than a SeeSnake micro or the Costco style Whistler device.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

A bore scope wouldn't be appropriate for that application anyway, I don't think. Either something is very close to that hole or the piece that got dislodged was huge. I handy thing to be on the lookout for is a military surplus endoscope. What times I saw them, I didn't have the money to buy, but now that I have the money, I don't see them. Endoscopes can wriggle like a worm, and are handier in tight spots than a SeeSnake micro or the Costco style Whistler device.

That is what I have, an Olympus borerscope/ endoscope is the same thing but for medical use with different sheathing on the fiber. They rent for about $200 a day, got lucky and picked one up at a garage sale with camera adapter and light source.

David Kb7uns

 

[EE_Bota]

That is what I have, an Olympus borerscope/ endoscope is the same thing but for medical use with different sheathing on the fiber. They rent for about $200 a day, got lucky and picked one up at a garage sale with camera adapter and light source.

David Kb7uns

Oh, sorry. I was thinking a bore scope was a rigid device only, but apparently some are flexible. I just looked, and there is one down to 1mm dia which is pretty amazing.

 

[yelbike]

I feel for you. I know the costs. $3k isn't bad compared the known jd 2305 case failures. My original quote was $10k to fix. That did not include many damaged internal parts, mostly labour. The tractor with out loader was $12500 new i think.

For your comfort search 2305 case failure.

Don't be mad a your dealer, they are usually there to help.....and make a buck, no totally rip you off.