Hello all, just purchased this. Seller told me no leaks, but wouldn't move in H, barely made it up ~5% grade in L after sitting on trailer for 2 days. I don't know of a way to determine what fluid is in it. After reading ttps://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/kubota-udt-substitute.4036/#post-29179, I'm pretty convinced SUDT2 at 50% more cost is the way to go forward, but I fear a previous owner put something else in and blew a seal. Any way to confirm seal leak and fix before changing oil and filters?
L3240 HST leak
- Thread starter meinnovations
- Start date
Were you able to drive it on the trailer?
* So it has a leak, where's it coming from?
* Is the fluid level full, or nearly so?
* Do the loader, backhoe and power steering work?
* You may need help with this one. Put the PTO in gear, make sure it turns with the clutch released. Now, with the transmission in gear, does the PTO shaft still turn when the travel stalls?
Thank you for the quick response. I've been down w/bronchitis so no time to try this until today. Much more experienced seller backed it on tilt trailer, but was a struggle. Photos show leak dribbling down bottom of transmission case(?). Didn't drag myself out of sick bed to put down some cardboard to get a sense of the amount of leakage last week (mea culpa). Finally checked today. Fluid *seemed* like it wasn't even measuring on the dipstick, so added ~2qts (measure mea culpa #2), checked, then another qt, and another. Got suspicious that didn't seem to be registering on flat ground. Made sure I rotated the dipstick one rev. Still no visible fluid, but I could see it 1-2" below top off reservoir after ~1.5gal added. Ran out of time so gingerly put it away (on a slope, unfortunately so not easy to check). Loader, steering, and movement in L and M seemed to work fine. My hope is the lack of power is because it was insufficiently warm when I unloaded from the trailer. I'll try to get the level correct and try the PTO test. Thank you again for the input.
Sorry to hear about your health issue. Sounds like the basic problem with your tractor was low fluid. The fluid, especially in a hst, is the lifeblood.
I understand from your post that, after adding fluid, the tractor moves and the power steering and front-end loader work. The next step is to find exactly where the leak is. Unless the leak is large, you'll probably need to wash everything and let it dry. Then, unless it's dripping while just sitting, you'll need to start it and look for leaks. You must be extremely cautious when working around and under a running tractor. Set the parking brake, chock the wheels, and make sure the range selector is in neutral.
When you find the leak, post some pictures. I'm not familiar with your model, but there are experts on here that I'm sure can help.
Update: Warmed it up and Mother Nature gave me some dry concrete to crawl under to find the leak. The photo with the wrench for dimension shows how much it leaked in about 10min. The leak appears from one or both of the two small bolts, but seems likely from something above that can't be seen. This line runs between the two halves of the crankcase near the front of the tractor. Starting the engine and lifting the bucket did not seem to increase leak rate. Any ideas of the source and/or cause of the slow leak?
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Update 2: Worked backhoe for about an hour last night. This was my first time operating one, so I don't know what to look for, but all functions seemed to work great. Worked it a couple hours again tonight. Had to reposition on a slope a couple times, but moved fine in L. Raised bucket easily and went to go clean up the 3% sloped concrete alley with the bucket. It stalled. I was able to increase RPM to 3K and run a foot, let up before it stalled, and repeat 1' at a time for 50'. See video clip (drat, how can I upload a 5M video?). I decided not to do a 135 turn uphill into my yard but just back it in on nearly level ground. I turned it off for 1min to check something before backing and it seemed to back up fine on almost level ground. I shut her down and took a min to set the oil pan. Steady drips. See photo. Same two small bolts area as earlier photo, but I suspect the bolts are orange herrings
and leak is something above. I mistakenly added too much HST fluid and drained it down to the top line. Net add was probably two quarts, maybe just one, so I don't think low fluid level is the problem. Any ideas?Attachments
North Idaho Wolfman
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The leak is either the front axle pinion seal or the back drive seal, more likely the back propeller shaft seal, that is a common leak point.Update 2: Worked backhoe for about an hour last night. This was my first time operating one, so I don't know what to look for, but all functions seemed to work great. Worked it a couple hours again tonight. Had to reposition on a slope a couple times, but moved fine in L. Raised bucket easily and went to go clean up the 3% sloped concrete alley with the bucket. It stalled. I was able to increase RPM to 3K and run a foot, let up before it stalled, and repeat 1' at a time for 50'. See video clip (drat, how can I upload a 5M video?). I decided not to do a 135 turn uphill into my yard but just back it in on nearly level ground. I turned it off for 1min to check something before backing and it seemed to back up fine on almost level ground. I shut her down and took a min to set the oil pan. Steady drips. See photo. Same two small bolts area as earlier photo, but I suspect the bolts are orange herrings