PLEASE HELP, NEW TRACTOR, HYDRAULIC BLOWOUT

EastTnFarmboy · Sep 21, 2007

I took delivery of a new Kubota GL5240 HST this afternoon. After finish mowing for a couple of hours, I unhooked the RFM and went down to a pile of logs to test out the Grapple I had purchased with the tractor. It was almost dark, so I wasn't doing any heavy work whatsoever. I was basically trying to get a feel for the way the FEL joystick and 3rd Function worked. The loader didn't seem to be lifting very well, and then all of the sudden I heard a hissing noise. I looked down to my right and fluid was spewing out of what I presume is the 3rd Function Valve. It is mounted under the right side of the floorpan and has a box covering it with a sticker that says "No Step". I was only a couple hundred feet from where I park the tractor so I just stepped on it and parked it before I shut it down. Of course, I left a well defined trail of fluid across the field.

After parking it and letting it set for a few minutes while trying to figure out where it was coming from, I started it again for just a few seconds. It was just gushing fluid out of the aforementioned "valve".

What would cause this on a brand new tractor? The best I can tell, it is coming out of the top of this thing. I have attached pictures to illustrate (after removing the "no step" box that covered it). I cannot find any hoses leaking. If you look you can see where it is leaking where the top part joins the base. I can't imagine what I did to make this happen, but who knows.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

RonMar · Sep 21, 2007

Well since you used the words "took delivery", "new" and "this afternoon", I would say call the dealer and have them come pick up and fix that piece of junk...

Sorry couldn't resist. I do not know exactly how that is plummed into the hydraulic system, but it looks to be an electric over hydraulic control valve. Based on the number of lines off it, it looks to be a PB valve. If it is leaking where the electric bolts onto the valve body, this could be similar to a leak at the end of a normal manually controlled spool valve. This is usually caused by excessive backpressure on a return port. If something got clogged, kinked or disconnected downstream, or perhaps the valve kit was plummed incorrectly when installed, High Pressure might be getting applied where there should only be low pressure. That could cause this type failure. It could also just be a new defective part.

If the words I quoted above are correct, my first call tomorrow would be to the dealer.

Good Luck.

EastTnFarmboy · Sep 21, 2007

Your words are correct, and that is my plan for first thing in the morning. I just can't imagine what I could have done to make this happen. If it was something I did, then this tractor is a pile of crap because I sure wasn't working it very hard when it happened.

svcguy · Sep 22, 2007

Things happen. I am sure your dealer will be happy to deal with it. It is probably a failed O ring or something simple. Mechanical things fail, be happy it's still under warranty.

EastTnFarmboy · Sep 22, 2007

Yes. I am assuming it will be covered under warranty. Can't imagine why it wouldn't be.

Soundguy · Sep 22, 2007

I doubt you 'broke it'. As others said.. there must have bene a plumbing issue, or defect.. or perhaps a downstream stoppage, like an ill fitting QD.

Of course it could be the kubota 'designed to fail quick' hyd hose issue too.

good luck.

As the others also said.. since it is new.. I wouldn't even have driven it back to the barn.. I'd have left it 'TU' in the field where it died and calle dthe dealer to come get 'his' tractor.. (wink)..

soundguy

Deerlope · Sep 22, 2007

That is just about the dumbest place to put that valve that I ever seen. Aside from fixing it I would insist that the valve be mounted in a more secure place.

EastTnFarmboy · Sep 22, 2007

Believe it or not, this is where the Kubota Third Function Valve is supposed to be mounted. It is even shown in this location on one of the tractors in their Grand L product brochure. I share the concern and voiced it to the service folks. Although they agreed that it might not be ideal, they said that with the way the valve assembly is designed, there is really no other place to put it. At any rate, I suppose time will tell.

The good news is they showed up this morning and fixed the problem. It was a blown o-ring on top of the valve body, underneath the electronic part. (I am sure that is a technically correct description.)

All I know is it is working and so I will be shortly!

texasjohn · Sep 22, 2007

Stuff infrequently happens... they fixed it quickly, as I would have anticipated, without any hesitation, once notified. I think you will discover that the Kubota is an extremely reliable tractor. Yes, this was very frustrating, but hope you can put it behind you and enjoy your dandy tractor

I chalk this up to excellent dealer service.

RonMar · Sep 22, 2007

I would put it back to work immediatly doing whatever you were doing when it failed. If it was just a bad seal, then it should be fine. If it was another issue, such as a mistake in installation(it is so hard to get good help these days

), then it will most likley fail again in the same place under the same stresses. If it does, insist that they review the entire installation. Sounds like they got on the problem pretty quick it being a saturday and all. That is a good sign.