New BX problem?

r0GuE · May 24, 2001

My BX showed up yesterday and I noticed when it is running and I crouch down behind it I hear a hissing (maybe slight grinding, rattle sound) it is higher pitched and I was concerned. I shut it down and checked the rear dip stick and I found just a hint that the fluid was even touching the stick.
Is the sound normal. Should I just add fluid. Was any damage done by the fluid being low? (well below the low mark). The tractor has just 0.5hrs on it.
HELLLLP!!
I asked the delivery boy to send a mechanic today. They were closed when he delivered it.

Rogue

richfromPA · May 24, 2001

hey rogue,
dont worry about it alot, it is under warranty. my bx has some weird noises that im sure are normal. as far as the fluid on the dipstick, are you positive you can see it well enuff? i havent even checked mine but i hear the dipstick color and the fluid color make it hard to see well. if it is messed up the dealer will fix it. i would double check the fluid level and look in the book. if you never had a hydrastatic trans and hydraulics on a tractor you have alot of new kinds of noises to get used to

r0GuE · May 24, 2001

Yeah it's there but barely. Just a hint on the end of the stick. Is the sound normal?? I dunno. If yours makes the sound but you have not checked the lavel, maybe you should ;^)

Rogue

tcarter1 · May 24, 2001

I believe the noises are normal. In regards to the fluid level, I had the same circumstance when mine was delivered. The level barely caught the end of the dipstick. I went back to the dealer, he gave me some more, no further problem. At the 50 hour service, I put 2.7 gallons back in. The dipstick measured the same as when delivered. I think there is a misprint in the manual.

Anonymous Poster · May 24, 2001

I had the same noise and fluid level problem I topped off the fluid and I think the noise has left or I just don't notice it anymore, my BX runs great and is a real work horse.

DaveNH · May 24, 2001

I too had the same low level when I checked it myself.
I surmised that the FEL was mounted "dry" and the low level was the result of the oil being sent to the empty cylinders. I had to add about a quart to bring it up to the marks.

We're all in this together! (3)
Executive Ex-Yuppie Tractor Owner
[Advertise your business here]Edited by DaveNH on 05/24/01 11:30 AM (server time).

r0GuE · May 25, 2001

My dealer sent his mechanic and when we checked the fluid with the deck down and cold engine there was essentially NO fluid on the stick. 3/4 of a quart later it was overfull. So he had to let some out. I would guess a 1/2 quart is the difference between nothing on the stick and just right.
Anyways we started the tractor and there was no noise BUT when we pulled the lever back to bring up the deck and the lever did the autoreturn to the centered position the noise began. I think it sounds like gears meshing loudly, the mechanic feels its just a loose something or other rattling. He is probably right but they are bringing me a new tractor anyways because I don't want this one at all.

Rogue

TresCrows · May 25, 2001

I doubt anything is wrong with the tractor other than it being new but if they get you another and it makes the same or similar noise then you will know for sure. All kinds of funny noises come from these tractors. I also doubt, even if it turns out the unit was defective, that it had anything to do at all with being so slightly low on fluid for such a short time. What happened is that the manual may be wrong on amount of fluid or when the FEL was connected it took up some of the fluid. I doubt it was a big deal. J

kerr · May 25, 2001

Boy i tell ya what,that dealer would for sure think i had just jumped the wall from the funny farm.No pre delivery check!!!!Low on oil,funny noises,No way sports fan,i would drive a 100 miles to a diff. dealer first.Hope it all works out for ya fella.

Anonymous Poster · May 26, 2001

I'll tell you exactly what you are hearing on your BX. It is the driveline between the engine and transmission chattering, mine has done it since new and is only noticeable at low engine rpms when the machine is at a standstill. I have pointed it out to my dealer and had a factory rep look at it too. I'm still waiting for an answer but personally I don't think there is much that can be done for it without redesigning the shaft and couplings. If you reach up and grab the shaft when the machine is off and shake the end play you'll hear the sound and see that it just sort of floats between the engine and transmission couplings. My dealer tried packing some grease in behind the rubber dust boots since they are assembled dry with no lubrication. It worked for a short time until all the grease slung out of the boot. I don't think this will lead to any immediate failure but over the long term I am concerned about wear to the components. I had an old 72 cub cadet with a similar arrangement on the engine end of the shaft and was prone to wearing out every few years. Maybe Kubota has used superior materials here and if they have done long term durability tests and proven well then maybe there is nothing to be concerned about here. I do find the noise annoying and can usually get rid of it by simply raising the rpm slightly. It does only make the chattering sound when the machine is at a standstill and there is no load or tension on the driveshaft. I do think that Kubota could have done better on the design and hopefully they have already taken note of this and are working on a cure. I'll bet almost every BX out there has this noise but this is only the second time I have seen someone post about it.