2011 L4240 HST Pouring Out Hydraulic Fluid - Please Help

[justinrose10]

Hi,

First to introduce myself. My name is Justin Rose. I'm from a small central WI town, and run a campground there. I also serve with the WI Army National Guard as a Fire Support Officer.

Problem: I fired up the tractor, and let it run a idle for about 10 min prior to moving. I drove about a 1/2 mile, and stopped to do something, and noticed hydraulic fluid pouring from around the oil pan. It looks to be coming from the cover (I assume for the front driveshaft). I see no cracks. I don't hear any unusual noises. It moved fine without hesitation. The oil was clean ,and clear as I just changed it about 30 hrs ago. It was about 15F outside, and had been -20F during the night. I retraced my steps, and the leaking appears to have started at the location I started the tractor. The tractor has 700 hrs on it.

Any helpful advice would be most appreciated.

Thank You

 

[KJD455]

Hello,

I also see a leakage there?

If you turn on 4x4, do you hear any unusual nioses then?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Your going to have to dig in to it a little and find out exactly where the fluid is coming from.
If it's coming out of the tube that contains the drive shaft for the front end, then it's got a seal out on the rear side.

 

[Billdog350]

Check your front axle fluid level. There is a 13mm plug on the back of the axle that you remove to see if the fluid is full. If nothing drips out, stick a screwdriver or your finger in there and see if its close or way low on fluid.

The front axles use UDT which is the same fluid Kubota uses for hydraulic so that could explain why you think its hydraulic fluid.

The axles on the newer L series are not vented. Since you started the machine on a cold day and headed down the road with it, I suspect you quickly raised the pressure in that front axle and popped the seal.

Checking level first is a free troubleshooting method that will get you pointed in the right direction.

 

[justinrose10]

#1 I don't hear any unusual noises.

#2 Rear Seal- will I be able to tell by simply taking the cover off?

 

[justinrose10]

Check your front axle fluid level. There is a 13mm plug on the back of the axle that you remove to see if the fluid is full. If nothing drips out, stick a screwdriver or your finger in there and see if its close or way low on fluid.

The front axles use UDT which is the same fluid Kubota uses for hydraulic so that could explain why you think its hydraulic fluid.

The axles on the newer L series are not vented. Since you started the machine on a cold day and headed down the road with it, I suspect you quickly raised the pressure in that front axle and popped the seal.

Checking level first is a free troubleshooting method that will get you pointed in the right direction.

I have gear oil in the front axle (sort of a green color) Kubota says you can put UDT or gear oil in front case. So I'm sure it's UDT. The split pin also has oil coming out of it.

 

[Billdog350]

Is the engine oil clear and overfilled? I have seen hydraulic pump seals fail on older B7100's and such where the hydraulic fluid pumps into the engine crankcase and then out of the breather and down all over the motor.

 

[olthumpa]

Is the engine oil clear and overfilled? I have seen hydraulic pump seals fail on older B7100's and such where the hydraulic fluid pumps into the engine crankcase and then out of the breather and down all over the motor.

This happened to my L275. The hydraulic pump front seal let go. It filled the engine and pushed oil out the valve cover vent which is connected to a pipe that runs down the side of the engine. When this happened, it looked like the oil was coming from the front axle and oil pan at first look.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[justinrose10]

Is the engine oil clear and overfilled? I have seen hydraulic pump seals fail on older B7100's and such where the hydraulic fluid pumps into the engine crankcase and then out of the breather and down all over the motor.

I doubled checked before I had to leave work today. It's not coming down the side of the engine. It's definitely coming from the front drive shaft cover, and split pin (clutch housing).

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

#1 I don't hear any unusual noises.

#2 Rear Seal- will I be able to tell by simply taking the cover off?

You should be able to tell by pulling the cover, looks like one bolt joins the front and back cover.
This is what your looking at: