BX23S Front Axle Fluid Level

[RWey56]

I have only about 20 hours on my BX, and was just now checking the fluid levels. When pulling the yellow plug on the front axle, I noticed there was no grease on its short dipstick. Inspection with a light showed there was grease, but it down there a bit. The internal drive axle is visible and perhaps the bottom of the axle is touching the grease. Does this seem low?

The manual says the axle takes 3.8 qts of 80~90 wt grease. Should this amount register on the little dip stick on the plug? The housing size indicates it has a fair amount of volume, but I'm not sure exactly how high the level should come when filled with 3.8 qts.

Any BX23S owners, if you get a chance, could you check this for me? Take a peek in the hole and tell me where the grease level is with respect to the internal drive axle and on the dip stick.

Much appreciated.

BTW, the tractor is of course sitting level.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Re: BX23S Front Axle fluid Level

NEGATIVE it's not Grease!
You can use UDT, SUDT2 hydraulic fluid or 80w90 gear oil, not grease!

 

[85Hokie]

ok......true the "weight" of the oil there is rather viscous - but it is not "grease" and YES - new machines are famous for NOT having enough in it straight from the dealer ifn you can believe that.

Now are you sure that's 80w90???? Most of this series took that OR S-UDT2....which is very very light on the heavy oil side

Fill it with a good oil of your choice - to the dipstick level.

AND at 50 some hours.....replace it all with something you like - which in your neck of the woods...... I would not use 80w-90

(wolfman beat me too it as I was typing!)

 

[RWey56]

Sorry, used the wrong term. Gear oil ... is what I read and what I meant.

The manual does say to use the UDT stuff OR 80-90w gear oil.

From what I'm hearing, it is probably low. I guess I'll call the dealer and find out what they put in, and just get a couple more quarts of that. Or better yet, ask them to give it to me as it seems they didn't fill it. All other fluids seem OK.

As to the gear oil level: All the way to the top of the lower nub on the dip stick, I'm assuming ?

 

[85Hokie]

If like the 25D - I think there is a "line" on that stick, so yes - get it to the lower nub.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

UDT, SUDT2, and 80W 90 all mix together without issues.
In other words if it's got one or the other in it now and you top it off with something different it's not going to hurt it.

 

[RWey56]

UDT, SUDT2, and 80W 90 all mix together without issues.

That's what I was wondering. As 85Hokie implied, is one more suitable for MN climate? I guess I could just top it off with 80/90w and change it this Fall. Probably would coincide with the 50 hr.

Out of curiosity, I wonder if the dealer uncrates these and there's jugs of the various fluids that comes in the crate. If so, maybe the low level ( from the dealer ) is Kubota cheaping out on how much they provide? Regardless, I'd think the dealer would know this and fill it properly.

Thanks for the info.

 

[RWey56]

If like the 25D - I think there is a "line" on that stick, so yes - get it to the lower nub.

Wow. I'll bet this thing is 2 qts low. That doesn't make me real happy.