My Tractor Seems Unstable

[countrybumpkin]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm suspicious of the differential as well. Can anyone tell me how and where to check the differential fluid and what sort of fluid it would require?
Thanks again to all!! Gene

The rear diff is lubricated with hydraulic fluid, which is all in one common sump.

 

[52wej]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm suspicious of the differential as well. Can anyone tell me how and where to check the differential fluid and what sort of fluid it would require?
Thanks again to all!! Gene

Gene, on the rear of the tractor, beside the PTO shaft, is a sight glass that has two horizontal marks on it. The fluid level is supposed to be between those two marks when the tractor is parked on level ground. The transaxle/hydraulic fluid used will have a faint golden color that will contrast with the marks. But if over filled you may not be able to discern any fluid level. if you suspect overfilling, park the tractor with the front end pointing down hill and compare the difference. Underfilled the glass will be clear. W. Jones

 

[JD15302155870]

I have had my tractor for 5 or 6 years now and this year it feels like it wants to flip over when sideways on a hill. The same hill I have driven on often before. Anyone got any ideas why? I also had a problem a short while ago where one of the rear wheels would lock up briefly while traveling. The wheel would be turning and then stop for a fraction of a revolution and resume turning again. My tractor is a Century 2535 (similar to a Branson 3510) with 4WD.
Thanks - Gene

This may not be true for all tractors but I have found the tractor will hold a steeper grade than your butt will.

 

[PILOON]

--" the tractor will hold a steeper grade than your butt will. "

Commonly known as the "pucker meter"

 

[GeneSimm7]

Gene, on the rear of the tractor, beside the PTO shaft, is a sight glass that has two horizontal marks on it. The fluid level is supposed to be between those two marks when the tractor is parked on level ground. The transaxle/hydraulic fluid used will have a faint golden color that will contrast with the marks. But if over filled you may not be able to discern any fluid level. if you suspect overfilling, park the tractor with the front end pointing down hill and compare the difference. Underfilled the glass will be clear. W. Jones

I parked the tractor on a steep hill with front pointing down and I still cannot see a fluid line. How else can I tell if it is empty or overfilled??

 

[GeneSimm7]

I parked the tractor on a steep hill with front pointing down and I still cannot see a fluid line. How else can I tell if it is empty or overfilled??

 

[Fallon]

I parked the tractor on a steep hill with front pointing down and I still cannot see a fluid line. How else can I tell if it is empty or overfilled??

John Deere Lubricants - JOHN DEERE #MT3668 HYDRAULIC OIL DYE most JD dealers should have it or be able to order it.

Works great & you end up with pink hydraulic fluid you can readily identify. Could barely tell if the crystal clear SUDT2 in my old Kubota L3200 was in the middle of the sight glass, much less above or below. That fixed things so you can easily tell.

It can wig out mechanics that think you put in ATF instead of the right hydraulic fluid (ignoring the fact ATF is hydraulic fluid, just with slightly different additives & what not that would likely work just fine). Just let them know you added dye to the fluid if you ever have them service or repair.

I used half the jar in my L3200. Went to use the 2nd half in my new L4060 (dipstick, but can still barely see the clear fluid in it) & found the jar dried out. Not sure what the moral if that story is. Either I didnt tighten the lid well, or it doesn't store well for 2-3 years.

 

[52wej]

Rereading the posts I see that you said the hydraulic fluid level was ok earlier, but then you said that you see no fluid on the marks in the sight glass at the rear of the tractor irrespective of how it is parked. So what causes you to say the hydraulic fluid level is ok? Are you checking the power steering fluid tank that is under the left step? That is separate from the rest of the hydraulic system.

You must have some fluids or the rear hydraulics and 3 pt hitch would not work. Again, as others have said we are talking about a combination hydraulic and transaxle fluid that resides in the transmission and differential area. If you never have changed the fluid in this area, then you need to do so. That is the only surefire way I know to verify how much fluid you have. And your hours would require a change. If you have changed your transaxle fluid then please disregard this and the next paragraph

Get the hydraulic filter and about 10 gallons of premium hydraulic/ transaxle fluid. I think it uses 8 + gallons, but I need to go back and check my manual. I use the Tractor Supply premium fluid and have had good success. It is best to use the filter from the dealer imho. Park the tractor on level and drain the fluid and refill until you you see the fluid level appear in the rear sight glass between the two lines. Please let us know how this goes. W Jones

 

[RickB]

Your thread title led me to believe the appropriate remedy for your tractor situation was to medicate it. Almost seemed like you were concerned about your tractor heading off and tearing up a field or crashing into other tractors or something.

There was a horse farm down the road from where I used to live. The sign said Relatively Stable.

 

[GeneSimm7]

Rereading the posts I see that you said the hydraulic fluid level was ok earlier, but then you said that you see no fluid on the marks in the sight glass at the rear of the tractor irrespective of how it is parked. So what causes you to say the hydraulic fluid level is ok? Are you checking the power steering fluid tank that is under the left step? That is separate from the rest of the hydraulic system.

You must have some fluids or the rear hydraulics and 3 pt hitch would not work. Again, as others have said we are talking about a combination hydraulic and transaxle fluid that resides in the transmission and differential area. If you never have changed the fluid in this area, then you need to do so. That is the only surefire way I know to verify how much fluid you have. And your hours would require a change. If you have changed your transaxle fluid then please disregard this and the next paragraph

Get the hydraulic filter and about 10 gallons of premium hydraulic/ transaxle fluid. I think it uses 8 + gallons, but I need to go back and check my manual. I use the Tractor Supply premium fluid and have had good success. It is best to use the filter from the dealer imho. Park the tractor on level and drain the fluid and refill until you you see the fluid level appear in the rear sight glass between the two lines. Please let us know how this goes. W Jones

Since you have a Century 2535 would you be able to tell me where the drain is so I can replace my hydraulic fluid? I would be very grateful, Thanks Gene

 

[thartsell]

--" the tractor will hold a steeper grade than your butt will. "

Commonly known as the "pucker meter"

I live on the side of a mountain. I fluid filled my tires. Solid as a rock.

 

[Henro]

I live on the side of a mountain. I fluid filled my tires. Solid as a rock.

Hi,

I have been reading this thread from the beginning. The title caught my attention. I keep thinking Hey! That is me!

I have two tractors. The smaller Kubota BX2200 has all four tires foam filled, and with the mower deck hanging under it is rock solid on any side slope I want to take it on. The worry is me falling off the tractor if my seat belt is not on...

My larger tractor is a 30 HP Kubota B2910. It scares me a lot on side slopes. Big time. For a reason.

I posted some photos a few years ago. I was box blading on a very slight slope, but built up a surface that was maybe a foot and a half higher than what was next to it. I did not notice for whatever reason, and got too close to the edge and the tractor slid down and stopped suddenly at the bottom. Then it VERY slowly proceeded to lay on its side. Big time slow motion, but it happened.

This was the result:



The second picture shows the tractor after I righted it using a chain block tied to a tree. Not really that steep of a slope.

The third picture shows the general area. Nothing exciting to see really.

My rear tires are liquid filled about 75% and the fronts are foam filled.

Since then, on the larger tractor, I keep amazing myself at how different I feel between the two tractors. I pucker on the slightest side slope on the larger one, and storm across anything on the smaller one.

At the end of the day, I think feeling that your tractor is unstable is a healthy thing. Might just keep you from tipping over. Even in slow motion once is enough!

Edit: forgot to add: Could the rear tire be slipping on the rim, making it look like the wheel was stopping? I have heard of this happening in the past with tubeless tires... Just a thought...

Bill

 

[CobyRupert]

Bill, do you think if you’d kept forward motion as you were sliding sideways that you wouldn’t have tipped over when it suddenly stopped sliding?

 

[Henro]

Coby...do not know.

Was moving very slowly...I suppose if I had accelerated and turned to the right I might have recovered. But can not claim to be that fast of a thinker! Might not have helped anyway. Just do not know.

However, I do now know it is better to keep all four wheels on the ground!

Bill

 

[3930dave]

Hi,

I have been reading this thread from the beginning. The title caught my attention. I keep thinking Hey! That is me!

I have two tractors. The smaller Kubota BX2200 has all four tires foam filled, and with the mower deck hanging under it is rock solid on any side slope I want to take it on. The worry is me falling off the tractor if my seat belt is not on...

My larger tractor is a 30 HP Kubota B2910. It scares me a lot on side slopes. Big time. For a reason.

I posted some photos a few years ago. I was box blading on a very slight slope, but built up a surface that was maybe a foot and a half higher than what was next to it. I did not notice for whatever reason, and got too close to the edge and the tractor slid down and stopped suddenly at the bottom. Then it VERY slowly proceeded to lay on its side. Big time slow motion, but it happened.

This was the result:

View attachment 570215View attachment 570216View attachment 570217View attachment 570218

The second picture shows the tractor after I righted it using a chain block tied to a tree. Not really that steep of a slope.

The third picture shows the general area. Nothing exciting to see really.

My rear tires are liquid filled about 75% and the fronts are foam filled.

Since then, on the larger tractor, I keep amazing myself at how different I feel between the two tractors. I pucker on the slightest side slope on the larger one, and storm across anything on the smaller one.

At the end of the day, I think feeling that your tractor is unstable is a healthy thing. Might just keep you from tipping over. Even in slow motion once is enough!

Edit: forgot to add: Could the rear tire be slipping on the rim, making it look like the wheel was stopping? I have heard of this happening in the past with tubeless tires... Just a thought...

Bill

Great example.

Doesn't take much of a difference in Cg at all to change the outcome. (For a long time, no manufacturer would put a glass roof in an SUV - suspensions needed to improve and lower before that was done).

In a "shorter" tractor, if you are tilted 30Deg off of vertical, it doesn't seem to register mentally to the same extent as on a taller tractor. Our brains auto-correlating risk, to some extent, but also worth remembering the perception aspect..... smaller tractors may be just better at seducing us.....

Rgds, D.

 

[52wej]

Gene, let me take a couple of pictures and copy some pages from my manuals. You have to look at more than just the drain plug which is under the rear transaxle. W Jones

 

[52wej]

Please take a look at the attached photo. To the left is a screen under a cover that needs to be taken out by unbolting three bolts. In the center is the drain plug that has yellow paint on it. To the top right you will see the blue hydraulic filter that needs to be replaced. Be aware that there are between 8 and 10 gallons of fluid in the transaxle. Hope this helps. W Jones