Wow what a mess! --- Hydro Help Please!!! (BX2200 Steering Lines)

r0GuE · Jul 24, 2014

Oh geeze. My deck is full of hydro fluid. Splashed up all over the place. Stripes on the lawn. Yuk. Still, 13 years old... I guess I can't complain too much.

I tracked it down to approximately where the lines for the steering pass back up through the frame from the engine compartment (marked with the arrow). When the tractor runs it gushes out of the bottom end of that nylon sleeve (item 70).

Do you think I'll have to drain the entire system to replace those hoses (items 30 and 40 I believe)? Will this be relatively easy, or are those lines a pain to connect up without leaks? Will I need any other parts other than 30 and 40? (I'm not sure which because the leak is within the nylon sleeve.

Thanks for any advice, pointers, cautions or encouragement.

r0gue

nc redneck · Jul 24, 2014

I just went through this with mine. Do a search on BX steering lines. Replace all 4 or you will be doing it twice. I put better quality lines in, but they are thicker and will make the repair harder. Lots of good info here.
Scott

Code54 · Jul 24, 2014

Seeing it is a low point I would just drain the system down into a CLEAN container, do the work and replace the fluid topping it off with new.
Good luck

KennyV · Jul 24, 2014

Replacing hydraulic hoses is not that difficult, but do them all while you are in that area... and like Scott says replace them with a better hose... remove the lines and take them to a local hydraulic shop, they should easily be able to custom make new Better quality hoses, while you wait, for Less than half the cost of factory replacement...

gwdixon · Jul 24, 2014

Yep, you're screwed. Mine leaked in exactly the same place. Kubota says that those lines have to be replaced on a 2-year cycle. Right.

There is no easy way to fix the problem. It is a GIANT pain in the posterior. Heavier hoses are recommended, but, as stated, it makes the job that much more difficult since the skinny OEM hose dart and weave through the frame. Also, make sure the ends of the replacement hoses match exactly. Take the old ones with you to the hydraulic hose shop (ours is a NAPA dealer).

You don't have to drain the hydraulic fluid to do the work.

The deck and seat have to be completely removed. Prepare to take several days to complete the job.

r0GuE · Jul 24, 2014

Definitely leaning toward OEM hoses to make the job easier. I got 13 years out of them. There aren't any peripheral pieces I might need are there? Just the 4 hoses? Should I buy new sleeves or just wash em. Do I need that angle wrench someone was talking about?

Thanks guys!

628pm · Jul 24, 2014

When I had my hoses go on my bx2200, I replaced all of them also. I don't know if I took off too much stuff, but if I remember right I was down to the frame in the back of the tractor after removing everything to get to the hoses. It just takes time to get it done. I think I replaced the top of my diesel tank (I believe the sending unit was leaking) at the same time. Was always getting diesel leaking on the left side when you set on the tractor.

boggen · Jul 25, 2014

no idea about your specific tractor and getting to the line ends....

you might want to pickup some "line/hose wrenches"

typical wrench has a U on one end and a 0 on the other end.

a line wrench has a cut in the 0 to create more of a C shape vs a U shape. it allows ya to get a better grip.

------------
if it was me and replacing all 4.

i would most likely drain as much oil as i could.

then hack saw the lines off right near the ends. to make removal easier.

would most likely clean the lines up with some rags / paper towels and then duct tape the ends backup to the individual pieces. until i had the new replacement lines installed. that way i could match things up. and hope i got all the correct bends etc.. made in it.

r0GuE · Jul 25, 2014

I wonder ---- Has anybody actually had a hose to the front steering piston go? It sounds like it is always the ones to the pump from the column... I'm strongly considering just doing those two as I need to get it back up and running and the access to that piston sounds beyond what I'm ready to undertake right now. (I don't have 80 degree offset wrenches and the tractor is in a lousy place to work on it).