Kubota malfunction

[Darren]

This afternoon I started the Kubota (L3710 hydro with 300+ hours) to do some work. I raised the loader with no problem but the tractor would barely move in forward or reverse. I noticed hydraulic fluid was pouring out around the filter. The fluid was opaque which I'm guessing is due to the cold weather. Temp was about 30 degrees.

I ran the tractor two days ago for a couple of hours with no problems. When I checked the filter it hadn't loosened. The hydraulic fluid doesn't seem to have changed with the colder temp. It still flows well. At this point I'm guessing the filter (Kubota) has split although I won't know for sure until I get it off. The filter doesn't look like it's bulged.

I probably dumped 1 to 2 gals. of fluid. It strikes me this is a problem that shouldn't have happened. If it's not a split filter, does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Archdean]

I believe it was caused by operating the loader control valve prior to letting the HYD fluid warm up! A no no at best and it created a higher positive pressure which dislodged the the filter gasket!!

 

[frank_f15]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I probably dumped 1 to 2 gals. of fluid. It strikes me this is a problem that shouldn't have happened. )</font>

i agree with you, it should not have happened, 30 deg is not that cold . i used mine to day at 19 deg, started it, let it warm for 10 min, cyclecled all the hhdraulics and let it warm for another 5 min. before using it, if would. ifit is coled than that i let it warm up longer.. check the gasket on the filter

 

[Boondox]

Check your filter against the proper part number. There was a defective filter seal used in the Grande L 10 series tractors for a while. The original filter # was replaced with an update. Check at your Kubota dealer for the correct filter.

The same thing happened to me with my L3010 a couple of years ago and I freaked! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But the fix was easy.

Pete

 

[Darren]

That makes sense. Even though the filter has been replaced, all of the filters were bought soon after I got the tractor.

 

[Darren]

I talked to a Kubota dealer today. He acknowledged that Kubota changed the filter design to work with higher pressure.

 

[BobCorazza]

I had similar misfortune 2 winters ago & posted on it here. The problem was that the service bulletin requiring a new trans filter was only (reportedly) sent to dealers in cold areas like New York, etc...
I blew mine out twice before an internet search revealed the problem & fix. My dealer was good about it (still under warrenty) and flat-bedded the tractor in and out. FYI, dealers may still sell the old spec filter by mistake, so check the numbers.

 

[Darren]

I'm pissed at Kubota over this. They make a big deal about only buying Kubota filters to protect the tractor and then they buy and market faulty filters. Some bean counter had to be involved. They probably put the filters out on bid and bought the cheapest ones.

It wasn't particularly cold when the filter blew out. The tractor's out of warranty so I get to pay for a filter and the fluid I lost because of Kubota's screwup. The icing on the cake is today when I went to the dealer not only was the filter out of stock, but Kubota is doing an inventory at their warehouse so I can forget about getting a filter anytime soon unless I go out of my way to find one.

I didn't tell the dealer, but today was the last time he'll ever see me. It takes me at least an hour to get there. I stopped because I had other business in the area.

 

[sparkkky]

Go to O'Rielly and get a WIX, alot of people think they are hard to beat.

 

[Holzster]

If you still need one: this is a good link i saw posted on TBN a couple months ago.
http://www.filter1.com./order.htm