L3240 Hairline Cracks in Rearend

[Magicman]

It will not be a simple fix because the crack is saturated with fluid which virtually eliminates any kind of adhesive such as JBWeld. My thoughts are brazing.

Simply living with it may be the best option.

 

[GeoHorn]

If I were you... I‘d contact the selling-dealer and corporate Kubota with this, as I believe this is a mfr’g defect that should have been caught years ago and missed due to it’s minute defect. Kubota has a reputation to uphold and the selling dealer can be a hero in supporting the claim to Corporate. Although the warranty has long since expired, it is still a manufacturing defect and they should hold up their end. IMO.

I would not attempt any repair until that effort has played out. Once you begin an ad hoc repair, Kubota would not likely touch it.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks for posting the 2nd picture. I'd probably start with GeoHorn's suggestion. You've got nothing to loose at this point. If you have to attempt to fix it, I personally would wire weld it but that would be after a lot of prep. Do you know somebody that has a lot of experience with repair welding?

 

[gtcivil]

If I were you... I‘d contact the selling-dealer and corporate Kubota with this, as I believe this is a mfr’g defect that should have been caught years ago and missed due to it’s minute defect. Kubota has a reputation to uphold and the selling dealer can be a hero in supporting the claim to Corporate. Although the warranty has long since expired, it is still a manufacturing defect and they should hold up their end. IMO.

I would not attempt any repair until that effort has played out. Once you begin an ad hoc repair, Kubota would not likely touch it.

That's a good idea, I'll contact the dealer and go from there before I touch it. We've got another tractor to use, so I've definitely got the time to let it sit while I sort this out.

 

[gtcivil]

I'd spray it clean with brake cleaner and put a piece of clean cardboard under the area. Get a determination of the amount of fluid leaking. A spoonful of oil can look like a quart when it spreads out.

This won't hep you with anything, except to know how much is leaking over time.

Google, "how to seal a crack in a transmission". You'll see some ideas.

After running the tractor for a few minutes and shutting it off I slid an old F100 hubcap under the tractor and caught about 1" worth of fluid.

 

[whitetiger]

After running the tractor for a few minutes and shutting it off I slid an old F100 hubcap under the tractor and caught about 1" worth of fluid.

So, it leaks worse after running a few minutes than it does just setting for an extended time?

 

[gtcivil]

So, it leaks worse after running a few minutes than it does just setting for an extended time?

Yes sir. That is correct.

 

[D2Cat]

Standing behind the tractor, looking at the back of the seat, then down to the hydraulic fill plug. Just to the left of the fill plug is a breather. It's a "J" shaped hard plastic vent. Might check to be sure it's not plugged.

 

[whitetiger]

Yes sir. That is correct.

It is just really odd that a crack would leak worse after just running the engine. I have dealt with a lot of cracked housings in my life and never saw one that the crack was not in a pressured component that leaked worse when the engine was run. I suppose its certainly possible.
Just curious, have you wiped the sides of the housing higher up with a paper towel to make sure no oil is leaking from higher up?