missing front axle grease zerks L3200

[davrenn]

Recently bought a 2013 L3200. Going over owner's manual and hitting the grease fittings. Manual says there's a fitting on each end of front axle labeled "front knuckle". This tractor has threaded holes for fittings... and NO fittings. Threaded holes seem to be "dead end holes". Is this normal on this model? year? Were zerks specifically eliminated for some reason?

Axle has a casting number L3300.

Thanks for any input. First Kubota.

Dave

 

[Deere Dude]

My JD owners manual states to grease a few zerks but when looking I could not find any. The dealer stated there was a change to greaseless fittings in ythat period of time that did not make it into the owners manual. I bet yours are the same, but I would check with the dealer for sure.

 

[sixdogs]

Odd that you mention this but I had a B series Kubota with casting bosses for the grease zerks but no zerks and it always bothered me. I would double check with the dealer, as Deere Dude mentioned, to make sure yours is not supposed to have them. Kubota owner's manuals might not have been updated as often as needed.

 

[Fallon]

I just had the same concern on my L4060 a couple months ago... No zerks on the steering joints but shown in the manual. Consensus was the zerks weren't on the L4060 & below, but were on the bigger Grand Ls. Common manual & most parts other than the axles are the same.

Don't remember offhand if my L3200 had those zerks before I upgraded.

 

[Wagtail]

My JD owners manual states to grease a few zerks but when looking I could not find any. The dealer stated there was a change to greaseless fittings in ythat period of time that did not make it into the owners manual. I bet yours are the same, but I would check with the dealer for sure.

The same thing with my 4105... I spent a few anxious months searching for those grease nipples.

Short story is that the Owner Manual hadn't been updated for such a minor 'change'. I was also shown, by my dealership's mechanic, a couple of grease nipples (underside of the FWD/REV treadle) that were NEW and not updated in the manual.

 

[mikester]

Recently bought a 2013 L3200. Going over owner's manual and hitting the grease fittings. Manual says there's a fitting on each end of front axle labeled "front knuckle". This tractor has threaded holes for fittings... and NO fittings. Threaded holes seem to be "dead end holes". Is this normal on this model? year? Were zerks specifically eliminated for some reason?

Axle has a casting number L3300.

Thanks for any input. First Kubota.

Dave

Take a close look to see that the zerk fittings haven’t been broken off inside. If nothing is in there but the holes are drilled and threaded I’d be putting some zerk fittings in to at least keep it clean. When water gets in you gets some nasty crevice corrosion on your pinions and pillow block bearings.

 

[davrenn]

Take a close look to see that the zerk fittings haven稚 been broken off inside. If nothing is in there but the holes are drilled and threaded I壇 be putting some zerk fittings in to at least keep it clean. When water gets in you gets some nasty crevice corrosion on your pinions and pillow block bearings.

No, no sign of zerks ever having been installed. Holes go in approx. 3/4"-1" and dead end. Not drilled through.

Guess the question is:

- did somebody totally screw up on axle production and not complete a process?

- or did Kubota "eliminate" the zerks and just not even put any kind of plug in the hole?


By the way, did check with local dealer and asked their opinion. They tried to be helpful, but didn't really have much of an answer.

Hopefully some fellas with similar year 3200's, 3400's, 3800's will chime in and let me know if their's have the zerks.

 

[ruffdog]

My wifes PT Cruiser had plugs instead of zerks on the upper ball joints. I removed them and installed zerks and greased them just like regular ball joints. Why did chrysler go through the hassle of putting plugs in instead of zerks? In the OP's case, I would not put a zerk in if it is a blind hole. Maybe plug it with a bolt or just shove grease in it?

 

[sixdogs]

Look on the exploded parts list from Kubota or any dealer. It will give you a serial number break and show you exactly what is supposed to be there --or not be there.

 

[davrenn]

Look on the exploded parts list from Kubota or any dealer. It will give you a serial number break and show you exactly what is supposed to be there --or not be there.

Okay, Thanks. did that. Diagram shows threaded holes with NO zerks in them. Evidently this model has some of those "permanently lubricated at the factory" moving parts on it. Guess they know what they're doing.

Thanks