Kubota hydraulic issues

Beaverplt · Apr 30, 2020

Hi all, I have a Kubota L225 with a Johnson Workhorse model 10 FEL. Now that the weather has finally warmed up around here I can finally get to some things I need the FEL for. My problem is my hydraulics are not working. I first thought it was some fluid had leaked out, but I was only about a pint low. Neither my FEL or three point hitch is working. Should I suspect a clogged filter? Is my pump be the problem? I'm no expert in hydraulics other than a basic understanding. Any help would be appreciated.

borderline · Apr 30, 2020

Yes, I would start with the filter.

zzvyb6 · Apr 30, 2020

This sounds familiar. A friend of mine added some non-Kubota oil to his machine and he had a similar problem. Drained and filled with the Orange brand and everything worked.

ptsg · May 1, 2020

I don't think that Kubota has a hydraulic filter. But I know it has a screen/strainer on the pump pick up line, inside the transmission which is known to get clogged over time.

Also, these older Kubota don't really care what oil is on the transmission, as long it has something in it.

It might be time to take the screen out to clean.

Here is a guide. It's not exactly your tractor but it's very similar: Servicing A Kubota Hydraulic Filter Suction Screen - LawnEQ Blog

Tx Jim · May 1, 2020

ptsg said:
I don't think that Kubota has a hydraulic filter. But I know it has a screen/strainer on the pump pick up line, inside the transmission which is known to get clogged over time.

Also, these older Kubota don't really care what oil is on the transmission, as long it has something in it.

It might be time to take the screen out to clean.

A hyd filter is listed in L225 parts catalog. There is a serial # break with different part #s listed for filter. I agree Beaverpit should start by changing hyd filter. I didn't locate a sump screen in parts catalog

ptsg · May 1, 2020

Tx Jim said:
A hyd filter is listed in L225 parts catalog. There is a serial # break with different part #s listed for filter. I agree Beaverpit should start by changing hyd filter. I didn't locate a sump screen in parts catalog

The filter listed on the parts diagram on Messicks is the screen/strainer. I'm familiar with these tractors and I know that most of them won't have an actual filter.

It looks like this:

The L235, however, does have a cartridge oil filter but doesn't seem to have a screen.

Tx Jim · May 1, 2020

ptsg
Thanks for correcting my mistake. I opened Kubota parts again & don't know what parts catalog I had viewed that showed a filter!! Danged Old Timers must be flaring up again:laughing:

ptsg · May 1, 2020

Ahh it happens but I don't really consider it as a mistake because the things are also called filter. On the Messicks website they also call it a filter/screen. No big deal anyways.

Beaverplt · May 4, 2020

Thanks for all the replies. I ordered a new filter. I know I can clean the old one, but this way, I'll have a spare.

You guys also answered my oil question. The last time I put new oil in I just bought the local farm store brand. I'll keep you posted on results.

Beaverplt · May 11, 2020

Well, I guess I need to look for a plan B. I finally had some time off of work this afternoon to pull the old filter. It is as pristine as the day I put it in two years ago. The Trans Hydraulic fluid looked very clean as well. I'll reinstall the filter, drain the rest of the oil and put new stuff in later this week. Of course, I don't know what plan B is right now, but any ideas will be appreciated.

Beaverplt · May 16, 2020

I decided to install a new filter. I replaced the trans hydraulic fluid and still no luck. Should my next step be to rebuild or replace the hydraulic pump? Can it be rebuilt? Thanks

kthompson · May 17, 2020

No expert here but did this happen all at once? Was it working fine and you went to crank it up and this time it just did not work, or did it slowly get to this point over time?

Beaverplt · May 18, 2020

It was working fine when I put it away for the winter. Nothing happened when I fired it up last month. So, I guess it happened all at once. I'll rebuild it if it can be done. I just don't know if a rebuild kit is available for a 45 year old tractor.

Dave M7040 · May 18, 2020

Beaverplt said:
It was working fine when I put it away for the winter. Nothing happened when I fired it up last month. So, I guess it happened all at once. I'll rebuild it if it can be done. I just don't know if a rebuild kit is available for a 45 year old tractor.

In looking at the free WSM available on line (and not too clear), there was a comment pertaining to your series of tractors and it has to do with bleeding out trapped air to get the pump to work.

I have attached the material from the WSM.

This is a first for me in terms of tractor hydraulic pump systems needing to be bled but perhaps it has to do with the L series.

I would start at the pump and loosen the smaller line which would be the high pressure line. Turn the tractor over but do not start it. Goal is to see if oil is being discharged.

If it is that is a good sign. Tighten the line and start the tractor.

Dave M7040

Beaverplt · May 19, 2020

I'll give that a try next time they give me a day off.

Beaverplt · Jun 1, 2020

I finally had an afternoon off to look at this issue. I loosened the high pressure line, cranked over the engine and got nothing out of the line. No air escaping. No oil spurting. Nothing. I'm guessing I've probably got a problem with the pump. I've looked for a rebuilding kit, but so far haven't seen one. If anyone else has, please let me know. Thanks

Dave M7040 · Jun 1, 2020

Remove the discharge line completely and then pour some oil into the pump.

Crank the engine with the line off.

Goal is to see if there is any movement in the pump which would expel the oil you just dumped in.

Perhaps the pump's drive has failed..... i.e. new pump time.

If the oil you poured in is spit out then find a way to connect a supply of oil on the suction side of the pump.

An air leak on the suction side of the pump will stop any pumping but will not necessarily show as a leak....... deteriorated rubber hose.

See page from WSM stating pump is not re build-able.

Dave M7040

Beaverplt · Jun 2, 2020

Thanks. I'll try that. Supposed to be off on Sunday. We'll see if that happens.

rScotty · Jun 2, 2020

Before I pulled the pump off, I'd double check to see if the suction line is maybe not delivering any fluid to the pump. You could make up gallon jug of transmission fluid, hang it higher than the pump, and run a hose from the jug to the pump.It's suction, so the fitting doesn't matter so much as long as the hose to the jug is below the surface.
It should pull from the jug and shoot out the discharge, but before I believed that the pump just wasn't working I'd prime the suction line to get all the air out. Then if it still doesn't shoot oil out the discharge you know that the pump is not turning at all. Then it would be time to pull the pump and look at the pump drive shaft would be my thought.

On the other hand, it it did shoot oil out the pump discharge I'd celebrate and then go looking at the suction line on the tractor real carefully, because I'd figure that the suction line on the tractor either had an air bubble trapped in it or was plugged or was sucking air somehow.

It's odd for hydraulic pump on a tractor to just up and quit like that.
rScotty

nyone · Jun 6, 2020

I would definitely remove the suction from the pump. You should be getting oil from the resistor at that point. If not you have found your issue.

Usually pumps dont go bad just from sitting. Another thing to check is the drive on the pump. If the pump isnt turning the pump wont pump. Not sure how that's done on this tractor.