Where's my transmission fluid going?

Mike_S · Apr 7, 2002

Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

My 4400 is not an early model and its only problem has been a bad hydraulic valve for the 3 pt. that would allow it to leak down and that valve was replaced. Since then, I have had to add over a gallon of transmission fluid in 25 hours of use. I have been over and under the tractor looking for a wet spot and there is none. It sits in a garage with concrete floor and there is not so much as a drop on the floor. I have used both the rear blade and the FEL this winter as well as towed the kid around the yard on her sled. The dealer is baffled and so am I--any thoughts out there? The only variable in this situation was the replacement of the hydraulic valve. Unless one of you comes up with a reasonable idea, I guess I will demand the dealer turn this over to DTAC. I just don't want this tractor completely disassembled front to back and side to side as happened to my first 4400 (very early model) which needed every upgrade that was available.

gator · Apr 7, 2002

Re: Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

That question is like where does one sock go in the dryer? I had an old Allis Chalmers that had a pin hole in a steel hydraulic line that only blew a stream of fluid when the 3 pt was raised. Did not leak enough without pressure to find any drips.Just a thought.

Mike_S · Apr 7, 2002

Re: Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

I have also recycled the rear and FEL hydraulics a bunch of times when over clean concrete--no leaks (but I did find a sock there;-) Mike S.

CVHoss · Apr 8, 2002

Re: Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

Mike,
You say that in the 25 hrs. after having the valve on the 3pt replaced, you've added a gallon of fluid. Are you still having to add fluid on a regular basis? I was just thinking that there may have been some air trapped when the valve was changed out and as the air "burped" out, you had to add fluid. If you're still having to add fluid all the time, I'd talk to the dealer. If it didn't lose fluid before they changed out the valve and it is now, sounds like something they didn't get quite right. They may have a dye they can add to the fluid that will show up with UV light to spot the leak.

Hoss

Mike_S · Apr 8, 2002

Re: Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

Hoss--I personally changed the transmission fluid, cleaned the suction screen, etc. after they replaced the hydraulic valve and installed the correct amount of fluid. As I use the tractor for both rear blade work, FEL/forks work and just towing the kid in the snow, I notice that the level in the sight glass shows low after allowing it to sit all night, so I add a quart to bring it up to the top of the sight glass. Then after another few hours of use, the sight glass will again show the level to be low and this seems to continue. Once mowing season starts (soon), I will keep better records of how many hours vs. how much was added. Thanks for your interest. Mike S.

kubmech · Apr 8, 2002

Re: Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

Mike, I wonder if the fluid is leaking past the input shaft seal in the clutch housing and building up there. Not sure how your machine is put together but may be sealed up enough for you not to notice at this time. See if there is a plug in the bottom of the clutch housing. If you remove that and find all your lost fluid that may be the problem.

Mike_S · Apr 8, 2002

Re: Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

Correct me if wrong, but since this is a hydrostat, I don't think I have a clutch and when laying on my back looking up at the area where the clutch housing would be, I can see the flywheel which is where I guess (and it is a guess) you meant to look. Thanks Mike S.

kubmech · Apr 8, 2002

Re: Where\'s my transmission fluid going?

Sorry Mike, your right, it's been quite a few years since I worked on the green ones. Most Kubota Hydro's have clutches. I'm recalling the 55 series JD now. No clutch and you can see the flywheel underneath. I geuss they're still pretty similiar.