Picked up new BX23. Question on low hyd oil level

[Speedy7]

Former lurker, but am now a proud owner of a new BX23 (arrival pic attached), so have registered. This is a great resource. And here's my first question already. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I got around to checking levels and it seems that the hydraulic oil level is low. The manual says to check levels with implements down, so I dropped the mower deck, and the FEL was down, and the BH removed. There MIGHT be just a touch of oil on the very tip of the dipstick, but certainly not within the acceptable levels. Everything seems to work fine, no strange noises, FEL and BH works smoothly, so I was just wondering if I was taking the level correctly before I consider adding oil. It's a brand new machine, and the dealer had done all the grease prep, so I assume they check the oil too, but you never know. Before I add any oil, I just wanted to check in here to see if I'm missing anything. Thanks

SP

 

[Volfandt]

Congrats on the BX23. They are great machines...
Mount the BH then read it again. You should read in the normal range with both the FEL & BH mounted as both retain some fluid in their lines & cylinders.

Volfandt

 

[Larry_Davis]

Morning Speedy,
I'll be picking up my new BX23 tomorrow or Tuesday. Actually, I could have picked it up Thursday but I wanted bar instead of turf tires and dealer had to order them. Question please: Exactly what length is the trailer in your photo?
Thanks,
Larry

 

[Speedy7]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You should read in the normal range with both the FEL & BH mounted as both retain some fluid in their lines & cylinders. )</font>

I didn't think I could reach the dipstick with the BH on, but I'll try it. Although, aren't the cylinders 2 way, so the same amount of fluid should be in the cylinder no matter what their position? Also, since a BX23 includes BH and FEL, you'd think the fluid level should be topped up to include the extra fluid in the FEL and BH. Anyway, thanks for the response.

SP

 

[Speedy7]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Question please: Exactly what length is the trailer in your photo? )</font>

Larry, it was a 14' trailer, which appears to be just right. I did have to curl the FEL bucket to get it a bit more forward for the tongue weight. I pulled it 20 mostly highway miles with a 1/2 ton pickup and it rode fine. Even with just surge brakes and the not-the-greatest Dodge brakes, it felt safe, as long as you made the usual towing allowances. The BX23 with 60" MMM weighed in at about 2900 lbs, and the trailer was probably 2000 lbs, so it came in just under the 5000 lbs rating of my hitch.

Bet you are chomping at the bit waiting for it, just like I was!

SP

 

[Volfandt]

You can reach it.
It's not the easiest to get at with the BH dismounted either....

Yes the cylinders are double acting which means theres fluid on both sides of the ram, moreso on one side than the other.

When I did the 50hr, I had dismounted both the FEL & BH and filled to the lower line. When I remounted them and cycled the hydraulics the level read just above the upper line. When I did the 100hr I did the same and it's worked fine for me.

Your dealer may be able to explain it better to you.

Volfandt

 

[TroyR57]

Just checking, this is the Dip stick that is at the rear, of the tractor? I have trouble checking this, as Hyd hoses make it tuff to get it out of the hole, also, this fluid is very cear, and makes it hard to read on the dip stick.

Any way have fun with your new toy, er tool.

Also if the dealer is close have him check it out or give you the Hyd fluid, if you found it low before you used the tractor much.

 

[Speedy7]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just checking, this is the Dip stick that is at the rear, of the tractor? )</font>

Yes, it is. I did read the manual /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'll check it today with the BH in, and cylinders retracted, and if it's still low, I'll get some fluid from the dealer.

 

[Mike_C]

Mine was low when I picked it up from the dealer too. Just add some. No big deal.

 

[escavader]

ILL PIPE IN HERE[RANTING] KUBOTA specs are wrong with the capacitys of hydro oil,or their dipsticks are wrong.When i did my 50 hour change i put in exactly what it said and it was a quart low.Engin oil is the same,i dont care what it says it uses the whole 3 quarts and is still not at the high mark.
What a place to have a dipstick,a darn hose right on top of it.IM going to look into rerouting it or something,
Its really hard to see the oil on it anyway,can it be painted white or something?
I believe you should check the hydro with all the cylinders in right guys?

 

[TroyR57]

Let us know, if you move that hose without any problems, as I wil do the same, if it works. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[jeffmazz]

I'll second that escavader, my BX22 takes 3 quarts of engine oil and just about 3 gallons of hydraulic oil. The only capacity thats been close is the front axle....that took exactly 5 quarts as the manual said. By the way, my machine's hydraulic oil was approx. 2 quarts overfull when I took delivery. It was spitting it out of the vent when it got warm.

Jeff

 

[escavader]

TROY,
Ill take a look at it this weekend,im gonna take off the hoe and set up my chipper.It sounds like a plan sitting here in my computer chair,hope i can.If its gonna be a big job,ill do it this winter,gonna try to plumb up this 23 of mine for a thumb,to try to make it easier to pick up stuff. ALAN

 

[btolle]

Different model Kubota, but I have noticed on my B7510 that when I pull the dipstick out there is NO fluid on it, bone dry. If I reinsert it and pull it again it shows the fluid level.

Only thing I can figure is that the dipstick seals so tight that it forms a vacuum in the dipstick tube. Pulling the dipstick allows the fluid to re-enter the dipstick tube so I can check it.

You might try rechecking it a couple of times and see if the BX does the same thing.

Bill Tolle

 

[LBrown59]

Mine takes 3 quarts of oil and 12 quarts of S-UDT

 

[picman]

Hey neighbour. I'm one step behind you and going in (hopefully) to place an order in the morning. Can't help you with the oil question...just wanted to say congrats.
Pic

 

[Speedy7]

Good for you! I have to say I was chomping at the bit for the 4 days it took for them to prep it.

The first project was a concrete parking apron of 10' x 50', and it took just a few hours to excavate 15 yards of topsoil. The BX did a great job at that. Fortunately, I have sandy soil where I live, but I can't imagine how long it would have taken to do it by hand.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your BX as much as I have. Keep looking for reasons to get seat time!

 

[Rimmer]

My BX-23 just turned two years old. When it was delivered it was a bit low on hydraulic oil. My dealer made a special trip over with a couple of quarts of Super UDT. As I recall, it took less than a quart to top up, so he left the remainder of that quart plus an extra quart with me just in case.

Yep, the published capacities are way off -- I think Kubota has trouble with Metric/US/Imperial conversions and gets them all confused! I just did my 300 hour oil change and, as always, it took 3.5 quarts. I'm running Mobile-1 "Truck and SUV" synthetic by the way. It started at -13 degrees last winter, so I'm sold on that stuff!

Regarding the dipstick, just tilt the seat forward and work from over the left side fender. Still not great, but better than trying to access from the rear.

 

[LBrown59]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hey neighbour. I'm one step behind you and going in (hopefully) to place an order in the morning. Can't help you with the oil question...just wanted to say congrats.
Pic )</font>
Did you get that BX 23 Yet?


<< BX23 Ag tires $8100 FEL $2300 BH $3800 60" MMM$ 1300.total $15500 >>

 

[rdsaustintx]

I have a 14 month-old BX23. Had exactly same story on delivery day (except I dented the salesman's trailer unloading). We dropped the BH and mounted a BB. Checked oil first time and it was low. Added some SUDT and it was fine.

Some unsolicited advice:

To check the HST oil, flip the seat forward and lower the 3PH. This is about the only way I can get to that little dipstick.

Don't worry too much about the machine. If it's not clattering, whining or hissing, it ain't runnin. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

LEARN where all your zerk grease fittings are and hit them regularly. BH, FEL and MMM all want grease at least every ten (yes TEN) hours.

Get that thing scuffed-up before you post any more pictures here. I rolled a log onto my hood at about 12 hours, but can't really recommend that. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Congratulations!!!

Russell in Texas