Low front axle fluid BX24

[offcamber]

I only have about 9-10 hours on my BX24. Last Saturday I went out to do some work and decided to check the fluid levels. Everything was fine except the front axle was so low it didnt register on the dipstick and even when I stuck my finger in the whole I could not feel any fluid. I called the dealer right away and talked with a service tech. While I was talking I noticed the axle wasn't level and was tipped down away from the fill hole. I moved it to level ground but still found the level low. Still not showing on the dipstick but I could touch the fluid now with my finger. The tech didn't seem concerned he said as long as there is oil in there I will fine...running in 4 or 2 wd. So my question is, is he correct? I took his advice and used the tractor for about 2-3 hours that day in 4wd. I should also mention I saw no signs of a leak. The level was correct upon delivery btw....the tech showed me the levels that morning before they delivered the tractor.

I haven't had a chance to check it since and I am headed this morning to get some extra fluid to keep on hand.

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Jimmyp5]

intresting., I went and looked at my tractor it low too... look at the 300 hour service guide. And before you add anything make sure your adding what is in the case. Appears UDT or 90 wt gear oil could be in the case. I am going to pull a little out and see what is in the case. I would bet UDT but better safe that sorry, you do not want to mix the two! I have 130 hours on my tractor...I add a bit only after I get it out and run it a while in 4x mode, I use it a lot in 4x mode.

 

[offcamber]

Thanks I would assume the dealer would know whats in there....since I am planning on getting the fluid from them I should (hope) I'm ok....

 

[offcamber]

Just picked up a gallon of UDT....I think I should be good to go...
Also picked up a tube of Case grease since this month all oil filters and lube was onsale

 

[Skyco]

FWIW my BX24 was also low when I checked it a few hours after I got it home and played with it. I wonder if it is factory filled and they just shoot some in there but not enough to fill it...

 

[offcamber]

FWIW my BX24 was also low when I checked it a few hours after I got it home and played with it. I wonder if it is factory filled and they just shoot some in there but not enough to fill it...

The tech did say after it gets run-in a bit the level may settle. This seems to be the case since there was no evidence of oil anywhere on the axle or on the ground indicating a leak. It was up in the proper range when it was delivered so the oil didn't just disapear.

My plan is to move the tractor to level ground...let it sit for a while, recheck the level then refill as necessary.

 

[C6rider]

Guess I'd better check mine tomorrow. After 1 week 17.5 hrs moving snow all in 4wd. Lubed all fittings and checked trans and oil but not axle.

 

[megaboz]

There were posts about this else where on here. Basically the jist of the post was that it was shipped that way from Kubota (This was done to save on shipping freight). Your dealer should of checked it.

As for the "Fluid Settling", that just plain ( i can think of a lot of words, but can't say them), needless to say you're being lied to. There is no oil filter to fill up or anything, so there is no place for the oil to settle.

Your dealer doesn't want to pony up for a bottle on them.

When I got mine, it was a quart low. Of course my dealer tried to tell me that as long as there was some in there, it would be fine. I don't know about anyone else, but when my car is low on oil, it doesn't run so good. Dry gears can't be any better.

 

[cup149]

If the BX24 is like the BX2200, there are capscrews on each side that you have to remove when filling with oil. They vent trapped air, otherwise the fluid level will show full, when in reality it ends up being a quart or so low after use.

 

[offcamber]

There were posts about this else where on here. Basically the jist of the post was that it was shipped that way from Kubota (This was done to save on shipping freight). Your dealer should of checked it.

As for the "Fluid Settling", that just plain ( i can think of a lot of words, but can't say them), needless to say you're being lied to. There is no oil filter to fill up or anything, so there is no place for the oil to settle.

Your dealer doesn't want to pony up for a bottle on them.

When I got mine, it was a quart low. Of course my dealer tried to tell me that as long as there was some in there, it would be fine. I don't know about anyone else, but when my car is low on oil, it doesn't run so good. Dry gears can't be any better.

Well the dealer is not to blame....its was shown to me on delivery and it was up to mid point on the hash marks where its suppose to be. They did their job and I am sure if I asked they would have given me a quart. I think the issue was it wasn't on level ground more than anything else....I may not have quoted the tech who I talked to over the phone exactly and since he didn't actually inspect the machine I am not going to hold his feet to the fire over an explanation. The dealer has been top notch since day one so I have no reason to doubt them at this point. If there is an error is probably due to my inexperience.

 

[megaboz]

Maybe I shouldn't have been so blunt, but I never have any luck when it comes to dealers, tractor or cars.

I've been given so many excuses/lies, that anymore I tend to just blame them first.

When I got my tractor, there were so many little things not done on pre-service. Fluid Checks being one of them. The rear tires were supposed to have ben filled, they weren't! The positive battery terminal was just sitting on the post. I had to adjust the MMM myself because the knob wouldn't turn. They never even bothered to show me how to take the attachments off. I know it isn't hard, but I never did it before.

So if I offended anyone, I just want to apologize before the posts go crazy. I do know there are a few good people out there, even dealers (I just never get to deal with them, I'm never that lucky), so please don't yell me too much.

 

[Jimbrown]

I have changed the front fluid in my BX22 twice. Both times I filled it full and after an hour of so of use it was down enough to take another quart or better of fluid. i think it has somthing to do with the fact that the oil can move from the side to side in the axle. those are slow turning gears and as long as they have lube thay should be just fine. Mine says to use UDT or gear lube. I have started puting gear lube in mine as after about 300 hours the UDT starts to leak out.

 

[DelSc]

I had the same experience as Offcamber. The mechanic who preped my BX24 showed me the level while it was in the shop getting set up. I also checked it when it was in my garage after delivery. Both times it was ok. About 10 hours later it was down about a quart. I never saw a drop of leakage anywhere so I topped it off and it hasnt needed any more in the 30 or so hours I have used it since.

 

[AndyinIowa]

My dealer didn't read the dipsticks correctly. He pulled the machine up, yanked the stick, and showed the fluid level. I took the stick from him, wiped it on a paper towel, reinserted, and pulled the dry stick back out.

Its a lack of proper training at the dealer levels that causes a lot of issues down the road.

To make several of you cringe, I've been at several Kubota (and other) dealers this past winter, and watched employees cold starting tractors on trailers or in the lot, running them immediately to high idle, and operating them. Tractors are smoking and knocking the whole time. Its more common than we would like to think.

IowaAndy

 

[638]

Andy, it's not their tractor, why should they care? Not a good attitude, but thats the way most people are.

ron

 

[C6rider]

OK I finally checked mine after 18 hours the other day. It didn't show on the dipstick but I could get my finger wet. It had been run in 4WD the whole time. Filled it to proper level with Super UDT and we'll see how it looks tomorrow.

 

[jimpa]

same thing , got the bx24 last night and put on 8 hours in 2 days , checked axle and not showing on stick and can't touch oil when i put my finger in it.

 

[thavil]

same thing , got the bx24 last night and put on 8 hours in 2 days , checked axle and not showing on stick and can't touch oil when i put my finger in it.

Welcome to the club!! It seems that most BX's (and maybe other models as well) are like this. My dealer explained that this happens because all the SUDT hasn't settled in the front axle housings until the tractor is used for a few hours. After reading a similar post last year, I checked mine after 15 hours of use and I was 1 1/2 quarts low.

 

[greenmule]

Well,its not just kubotas,my ck30 kioti,I'm just about done filling,took 10 hours or so of running it,and it held about 2 more qts than book said.

Takes these front axils a long time for it to settle,air voids,pockets,don't know,mines got gear oil,which is much thicker than the udt fluid,so,it takes even longer,think I got it on full now.

Yeah,nobody will ever take better care of your tractor than you,these dealer/factory people,don't care,plus they got a job to do,can't wait till each tractor warms up,[don't guess],thats a good sign though,most of ours run just fine,despite the previous abuse,[think about that thing of beaking them in,maybe they are helping us]

 

[kdm0811]

After 20 hours of FEL digging and pushing dirt with my BX 24, I also discovered that the front axle lube did not register on the dipstick. I could not get any oil on a piece of straw when I stuck it all the way to the bottom of the housing!

I checked my dealer prep. inspection paperwork, and it showed that the front axle lube had been checked by my dealer. There were no signs of leaks.

When I discussed thie problem with my salesman, he assured me that there was no harm done, and that everything was "A OK". WITHOUT HESITATION, I assured him that he was a bloomin idiot. I advised him that he could replace the tractor, or the front axle assembly. I ended up with a new front axle, tire to tire.