BH77 Hydraulic Cylinder Mess

[John3224]

Help! I purchased my Kubota L3301 TLB in October ‘24 with only 58 hours on it. The local dealer had all the manuals from the previous owner but was not sure if they did the 50 maintenance. Since the machine was clean I decided to wait until 100 maintenance to replace the filters and fluids. I just hit 100 and replaced the engine oil and all the filters. I could not tell by the dipstick if the trans/hydraulic fluid was full so I decided to top it off and added a gallon of Kubota Super UDT2. While using the machine today I noticed the fluid pouring out of the backhoe hydraulic cylinder. All the connections are tight and were no issues previously. Not sure what I could have done wrong. Could I have overfilled it?

Im new to tractors and to the forum. Thanks in advance.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Leaks at cylinders has nothing to do with level of the fluid, find out what's leaking.

FYI: Do not call your tractor a TLB, as a TLB is a completely different kind of tractor.
You have a tractor with a loader and a BH.

 

[John3224]

@North Idaho Wolfman noted on the TLB.
Hopefully these photos will help.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Clean it all up with brake parts cleaner and try and pinpoint the leak.
If you clean it and dust it with baby powder you can find leaks quick.

 

[John3224]

Clean it all up with brake parts cleaner and try and pinpoint the leak.
If you clean it and dust it with baby powder you can find leaks quick.

The fluid is pouring out from all the connectors. I didnt touch any of those during the maintenance.

 

[TheOldHokie]

The fluid is pouring out from all the connectors. I didnt touch any of those during the maintenance.
View attachment 157489

I think your picture is showing the control valve and the circles are around the swivels on the end of the hoses. Is that correct?

A leak in that area has nothing to do with filter and fluid service. Have you had any issues with the loader and/or backhoe being sluggish or weak?

Dan

 

[John3224]

I think your picture is showing the control valve and the circles are around the swivels on the end of the hoses. Is that correct?

A leak in that area has nothing to do with filter and fluid service. Have you had any issues with the loader and/or backhoe being sluggish or weak?

Dan

Thats correct the swivels at the end of the hose connectors is where its pouring out of. I dont believe Ive had any issues with anything being sluggish or weak but its very possible as Im pretty new to the game so Im not sure I would be able to tell unless it was pretty dramatic. That said just not sure why it all started right after the maintenance.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Thats correct the swivels at the end of the hose connectors is where its pouring out of. I dont believe Ive had any issues with anything being sluggish or weak but its very possible as Im pretty new to the game so Im not sure I would be able to tell unless it was pretty dramatic. That said just not sure why it all started right after the maintenance.

"That said just not sure why it all started right after the maintenance"

Ever hear of coincidence?

*Thats correct the swivels at the end of the hose connectors is where its pouring out"

I am suspicous of that as well. Seems very unlikely all of those swivels would simultsmeously start leaking for no obvious reason.

I think you need to look a little closer for the source of the leak. I hope I am wrong but my spidey sense is tingling and I fear the seals on the spools just above those fittings are leaking and the fluid is then running down around the swivels. The seal failure could be the result of over pressure on the tank port caused by not getting the backhoe return hose coupler fully connected or having the position control lever in a "raise" position.

Dan

 

[Runs With Scissors]

The fluid is pouring out from all the connectors. I didnt touch any of those during the maintenance.
View attachment 157489

I had those exact same lines leak on my 77 when it was brand new, but only one at a time, not all together.

I used a "crows foot" to get to them and tighten them up using the old German torque spec of "goodentight"

 

[PoTreeBoy]

To emphasize Dan's point, lower the 3ph position control below full up.
If that fixes the problem, you need to adjust the feedback linkage.

 

[TheOldHokie]

To emphasize Dan's point, lower the 3ph position control below full up.
If that fixes the problem, you need to adjust the feedback linkage.

I wpuld say keep it fully down (float) when the hoe is mounted. If this is seals not loose hose fittings its not gping to fix itself.

Dan