Kubota Front axel maintenence.

[pitt_md]

Ever tried to change the oil on the front axel of an MX5000? Better have a couple of days to let the tractor sit. The axel holds 8 quarts of UDT fluid. There are drain plugs on each of the front hubs. The problem is that the oil that is above the hubs has to pass through the bearings to get out. This seems like a real bad way to go about changing this oil. The bearings act as a sive to catch any loose metal... The guy at the dealer said that is the way its shows to do it. I think I am going to get an oil pump and pump it out the fill plug on top of the axel. Anyone know a better way to change the oil on a Kubota front hub?

 

[3RRL]

Seems odd there are no other drain plugs on the axle housing itself.
Did you get under there to check for any?

 

[pitt_md]

Seems odd there are no other drain plugs on the axle housing itself.
Did you get under there to check for any?

Yes I sure did. Nada. Thats why I ask the tech's at the shop how they do it.
For starters they don't see many MX5000's. One tech said most people never change the oil??? One said he lifts the front off the ground and tilts the axel. I'm supprised with the number of Kubota owners on this board that someone has not gone through this before.

 

[john_bud]

It's the same with the Grand L-10 series that I have. Not much is said, as it's not a big deal. I just raise the front end with the FEL, the axle tilts, then Put 2 catch can under and remove the plugs. While it drains, I drain the engine oil, the trans/hydro oil, change the fuel filter, engine oil and the 2 trans/hydro filters. By that time, the front is drained and it's time to refill. NBD.

jb

 

[DGS]

It will drain a little faster if you remove the axel fill plug
It allows air in faster
Have fun
DGS

 

[pitt_md]

It's the same with the Grand L-10 series that I have. Not much is said, as it's not a big deal. I just raise the front end with the FEL, the axle tilts, then Put 2 catch can under and remove the plugs. While it drains, I drain the engine oil, the trans/hydro oil, change the fuel filter, engine oil and the 2 trans/hydro filters. By that time, the front is drained and it's time to refill. NBD.

jb

the big deal for me is not the wait but the fact that any junk floating around in the oil has to pass through the bearings. The whole idea of changing oil is to remove the junk with the old oil not to pack it into the bearings.

 

[3RRL]

Good point.
How do you get the metal slivers or shavings out like from newly meshing gears or any other debris?
Does Kubota expect them to pass through the bearings then?

 

[IH3444]

Just change the front axle fluid the way Rob does on his KAMA 554

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chinese-tractors/113843-kama-554-front-drive-repair.html

 

[wushaw]

Isn't metal heavier than oil?

If shavings were suspended in the oil then they will still find their way to the lower bearings weather you drain it or not.

 

[PAB_OH]

I think that's the issue. Not that it takes forever really, but that the fluid's only path is THROUGH the bearings. I'm surprised there aren't "weep" paths for the oil and debris to find their way to the bottom of the hubs by an alternate route.