Hydraulic leak on left side of tractor differential housing

[Tia]

Help, I parked my 2003 Kubota BX1500 in the barn after spending several hours mowing up leaves. A week later all of the hydraulic fluid was on the floor.
The attached plug was also under the tractor.
I have contacted the service department of two dealers, and they have no idea what is going on.
I think there must be more to it than just replacing the plug.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Just to bump this thread up………..

To my untrained eye, it appears to be a “casting plug” ……AKA “freeze plug” (although that is not really their intended purpose)

From your pics, the hole looks “smooth”, not threaded. Is this true?

Is that plug smooth or threaded?

Seems very strange though that a "casting plug" would just “fall out” though.

I am sure someone will be able to find the parts diagram for your model.


EDIT: It just hit me……..It also looks suspicously like the hole for a “sight glass”

Maybe a former model used that as the way to check the oil, but was “superceded” to a newer/better design and instead of making a new casting, they just plugged the hole?

Just a guess…...

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Blurry pictures...

It's an OEM plug, oddly enough, likely for assembly purposes. I guess if it's not wrecked from heat put it back in if needed and immediately order a new one for $9 and see what the difference is so you know why it popped out.
Part# 50590-64530


Not saying it's a good design, but that's what they did.

----
Note I'm not a tractor mechanic and there might be more to the story I'm unaware of, so keep an open mind.

 

[William1]

.... to add. With a new plug, I'd clean the hole surgically clean and dry (tilt the tractor to keep fluid away) and apply a VERY light coat of Threebond (not RTV) to the hole and sides of the plug. Install the plug and let it set over night before filling and running the tractor. I'd also check the trans vents as it may be clogged, the pressure built up and something had to give.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

.... to add. With a new plug, I'd clean the hole surgically clean and dry (tilt the tractor to keep fluid away) and apply a VERY light coat of Threebond (not RTV) to the hole and sides of the plug. Install the plug and let it set over night before filling and running the tractor. I'd also check the trans vents as it may be clogged, the pressure built up and something had to give.

I wouldn't bond the plug in unnecessarily, the design likely works as intended, there are lots of tractors in use and Kubota is known for well-engineered designs; the question is more of what caused this one to pop.

 

[Tia]

Help, I parked my 2003 Kubota BX1500 in the barn after spending several hours mowing up leaves. A week later all of the hydraulic fluid was on the floor.
The attached plug was also under the tractor.
I have contacted the service department of two dealers, and they have no idea what is going on.
I think there must be more to it than just replacing the plug.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Tia]

Yes, the hole is 1 1/4 inches in diameter and smooth. The plug is pretty much hard rubber.

 

[William1]

I wouldn't bond the plug in unnecessarily, the design likely works as intended, there are lots of tractors in use and Kubota is known for well-engineered designs; the question is more of what caused this one to pop.

Most press fit items, I'll use ThreeBond on. Its just a sealant and really offers next to no adhesive qualities. To me, it is a little bit of insurance against leaks. OEM paint accomplishes the same thing (that stuff is tough!)

But yeah, the big Q is why? Had to be pressure.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Clean the hole with brake parts cleaner.
Apply bonding sealer to hole.
Insert new plug.
Check breather
Clean suction screen
Replace spin on filter.
Refill fluid and get it back to work.

 

[whitetiger]

The main reason it fell out is that the rubber is approximately 25 years old.
Follow the steps outlined by North Idaho Wolfman.

 

[Tia]

Thankyou everyone, I appreciate your help. I ordered the $10.00 replacement yesterday.