L3130 blew something in front end

[SteveA]

You ordered seals and bearings for the opposite side, right?

Yes I did. Outside of a probable failure, I drained all the front axle lube so it makes sense to do it now.

 

[Smokeydog]

Curious what lubricant was in the axle? Change interval?

 

[SteveA]

Curious what lubricant was in the axle? Change interval?

The last time I drained/filled was when it was time to change out the HST fluid so I used SUDT. That was approx. 200 hours ago. This time I will likely use 75-90 synthetic gear lube. I found that they are getting $13.00 a quart for Mobil 1. Wow

 

[Smokeydog]

I think using gear oil in the front axle is good. Recommend by my local Kubota dealer for decades. Think it helps reduce micro welding and failing of the bearings?

Had almost 4000hrs on a B20 without any front axle problems with only one fluid change with gear oil at 500hrs. Always in 4wd on the farm.

400hrs on current B26 axle changed to Lucas synthetic gear oil. Surprised how dark the sudt fluid was when draining.

Not sure Kubota beefed up the front axle while increasing Hp and lift capacity.

Be glad you don’t have a M59 with 11qt. capacity.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Bought my L3130 brand new 15 years ago and it has been flawless up until today. Was out moving some brush piles around in FWD when suddenly I hear some grinding and a pop from the LF wheel and oil came running out of the hub.
Any ideas what blew? Depending on what it is I will decide whether or not to tackle repairs my self or call the Kubota dealer to come and get it.
Thanks for any input.

4 wd is only for slippery surfaces. I just did a write up on this. Tractors are not all wheel drive, they are four wheel drive. Things break and something has to give on hard surfaces. Lubed bearings give because too much pressure on them. My things only go in 4x4 if I'm about to get stuck or if I'm in a straight pull trying to pull something out. Biggest tractor is 100 hp. Oldest is 1974. Never broke a thing except chains or what I was tied on to. Back me up by reading the 4x4 instructions on your tractor.

 

[MHarryE]

Bearing failure is how mine failed but mine did no damage although cage parts were shredded. So mine took new bearings and seals. I bought some new keepers before tearing it apart and threw them away the other day - parts inside were perfect and I’ve traded off my L6060 which uses same parts as the L5740 that failed. The L5740 - at 200 hours I changed axle oil from original to 75W-140 synthetic because I knew it was better. That one failed at about 500 - 600 hours as I recall. My L6060 is still sitting at my place waiting for dealer to pick it up when they deliver my new tractor. It has about 900 hours and has always has SUDT2. Not that I think it’s the best choice, but I did switch to a top brand synthetic gear lube and the bearings failed. One of the replacements for my L6060 is an SVL75-2 I hot 2 years ago. The delivery mechanic said he replaced the oil in the 2 final drives with 75W-140 synthetic because they get much better life. I still think my problem was lots of heavy loader work with the L5740. The L6060 has had an easier life in part because the CTL does almost all loader work.

 

[LD1]

Missed this thread the first time around.....but glad you found the problem and gonna do both sides while you are at it.

I had an axle seal leak that I just addressed a few weeks ago. Its not the seal you removed thus far....gotta go a little deeper into it. But having never messed with the front end on one of these bota's...I was surprised how easy everything was.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I am in Rhode Island weathering out a noreaster at our beach house. When I get back to my place in CT. I will start disassembling. The machine recently turned over 1000 hours. Believe it or not it still has the original battery.

snip >Believe it or not it still has the original battery.<
Considering your luck on the battery, I suspect you just happened to run over an old can of oil. No problem - just top off the oil and keep on trucking.