Hey guys I have a MX5100 with 150hrs on it. It has a hydraulic steering system on that is different than what I had on the L3700SU. My question is after 20-30 minutes of mowing it feels like the steering actually becomes heavy, or harder to turn. Is this a common problem or should I look into it more?
MX 5100 hydraulic heavy steering
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North Idaho Wolfman
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Your MX5100 has hydrostatic steering, the normal cause of it feeling heavy is the lack of hydraulic pressure or flow.
When was the last time you did a fluid filter change?
If it's too long change those first, then recheck.
If the fluid and filters have been changed fairly soon, then it sounds like it needs the regulator valve adjusted, or the seals in either the cylinder or the control unit are leaking.
When was the last time you did a fluid filter change?
If it's too long change those first, then recheck.
If the fluid and filters have been changed fairly soon, then it sounds like it needs the regulator valve adjusted, or the seals in either the cylinder or the control unit are leaking.
Wolfman, I did the standard 50 hr svc Kubota calls for on the hydro filters, I now have 150 hrs. I think the next change is @ 400 hrs. Where would I find the regulator valve? and is it an easy adjustment or something that needs to go to the dealer?
North Idaho Wolfman
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Unless you have or want to get the service manual, and have or want to get the proper hydraulic gauges for it, it can get a little tricky to do yourself.
I would bite the bullet and let the dealer do it, that way they can also test it too if there is any other problems.
The pressure gauge setup for this operation is quite pricy to get, and you would probably never need it again.
Another note if it's under warranty it will be a heck of a lot cheaper if they get into needing any serious parts they you doing it yourself.
I would bite the bullet and let the dealer do it, that way they can also test it too if there is any other problems.
The pressure gauge setup for this operation is quite pricy to get, and you would probably never need it again.
Another note if it's under warranty it will be a heck of a lot cheaper if they get into needing any serious parts they you doing it yourself.
So I called the stealer and they said it was still under warranty, they must have screwed me on my previous tractor they said was only 1 year bumper to bumper!! They said I have 2 yrs on this one, needless to say just dropped it off, since it is getting close to the 2 yr mark is there anything I should have them check before the warranty ends?
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Have you had any other issues with it? Any odd noises, leaks or problems?
Note: Warranty does not cover hoses.
Note: Warranty does not cover hoses.
The dealer called today and said I had a leaky crankshaft seal, which has nothing to do with the steering! He said he topped of the hydraulic fluid and the heavy steering went away. My question is what the hell would make the crankshaft seals leak with so few hrs? The dealer says I may have got dirt in it......really? I told him well I guess I better not take the tractor in the dirt anymore. Is it possible to get dirt in the crankshaft seals specifically up front?
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Daren Todd
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That's a little odd, and probably unlikely. My guess is more likely they were improperly installed causing a nick, or the spring got knocked out when installed. Some times they get the new guy who installs it backwards cause it goes on easier
That's a little odd, and probably unlikely. My guess is more likely they were improperly installed causing a nick, or the spring got knocked out when installed. Some times they get the new guy who installs it backwards cause it goes on easier
That would be my guess, but then again wouldnt it leak from day one if it was damaged or installed improperly? Surely it couldnt be from using the tactor too hard could it? I admit I bushhog some things I probably shouldnt, but who doesnt?
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Daren Todd
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They will usually show up right away, but i have seen them start to ooze just a little if they aren't in quite straight, or get dimpled slightly on install. I've had some that didn't show up for a couple hundred hours. Sometimes the seal can break down faster if it's installed dry where it rides the collar. The friction and heat can actually cause the rubber to melt. It is possible to have had something get kicked up into it, but it seems the mechanic should have had seen some sign of it when he was in there.
Thanks for the info Daren, you know how the mechanic is they tell you as little as possible. Like he said "you must have got dirt in it". Any ideas why the heavy steering, they didnt mention any leaking steering cylinders or regulator valve adjustments, he just said they added fluid, and it resolved the problem. The only issue I have with that is that it would start to get heavy after about a half hour of hard use, so they have no idea what there talking about
Daren Todd
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I couldn't begin to answer the hard steering issue. All the equipment i work on is towed.
if i have any equipment at a dealer for warranty work, i'll bug the hell out of them till i'm satisfied with the answer. And will usually ask to talk to the mechanic so i'm not getting the info second hand
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I'm not convinced that your dealerships mechanic has solved your steering problem, I can see that a low state on the fluid can be a problem but I'm thinking it's a little more involved than just add fluid.
I've heard some stupid reasons for something failing, but "you got dirt in the seal", it's a tractor it's meant to handle dirt, I've see and had my tractor knee deep in mud without any issues!
My question is are they hitting you for a repair cost for the seal repair, If they are sounds like a mechanic scam to just make a buck!!!!
I've heard some stupid reasons for something failing, but "you got dirt in the seal", it's a tractor it's meant to handle dirt, I've see and had my tractor knee deep in mud without any issues!
My question is are they hitting you for a repair cost for the seal repair, If they are sounds like a mechanic scam to just make a buck!!!!
Ironically, my MX5100 just turned 100 hours last weekend when I was using my finishing mower and mine started doing the same thing at the same interval (30 mins or so into use). The temp out was in the 90s, but the tractor temp was normal. I did the fluid/filters change at 50 hrs per the manual. I checked the fluid level and it's about an 1/8th inch down from the top of the window. I, too, would love to know what's causing it.
Skeeter per the manual basically if you can see the fluid in the glass your ok, make sure you let all pressure of loader and 3 point hitch when you check it.
Wolfman its still under warranty until October, so it will be taken care of. Im thinking about going to another dealer in town and paying to have the entire tractor inspected, before the warranty runs out
Just spoke to the service rep at the dealer, he swears up and down that topping off the hydraulic fluid is going to fix the problem. I told him that was the first thing I checked is the fluid level and it wasnt low. I explained to him again that it starts to get heavy after 30 min or so, and I asked them if they could run a system pressure test, which apparently he doesnt want to do. Then he turns the conversation around and says, "its sounds like your saying we dont know what were doing"
Well the owner of the shop just called me. He said what they did is turned up the psi from 2800 to 3000, my question is wont that add extra pressure on all the rings and gaskets of the system? Does anyone know what the pressure should be set at?
North Idaho Wolfman
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You can tell him from me, No I don't think he knows what he's doing!
Throwing more pressure at a problem will not solve the problem it will probably only make it worse!
I personally think going from 2560psi to 3000psi is insane!
I could see that you could possibly blow seals and rings and maybe even hoses or hard lines out on a system going from 2560psi to 3000psi.
I think the dealer is candy coating a mechanical or hydraulic part failure!
I would get a rep on the phone before this dealer does damage to the tractor or worse yet you!
Just as a note: Most normal average hydraulic hoses have an upper limit of 3000psi. So with a system set at 3000psi any surge in the hydraulic system you would well pass the limit of the hose.
I would not accept them cranking up the pressure, as wolfman says. I havent had any warranty dealings with with kubota here,but my nephew worked at a dealer for a while-and from what i see is many shops are filled with young apprentices and a senior guy to watch over them. He cant watch everything. Running pressure beyond max isnt in the workshop manual im sure.
If there is any kubota service techs, that would weigh in on this I would greatly appreciate it. I havent picked up the tractor yet, but Im really worried about them cranking the psi so high, and not actually fixing this issue