B26 - q about replacing the suction hose assembly

[iko]

Ordered the new suction hose assembly which means the one piece pipe needs to be replaced.







My question to those who have done this is, when you get the long pipe out will a lot of hydraulic fluid pour? Is there a way to minimize the hydraulic fluid loss?

Because I want to be prepared it would be good to know how much hydraulic fluid to buy and have on hand. @Smokeydog ?

 

[#40Fan]

Best to drain the hydraulic fluid to start with. Drain into a clean bucket and filter when pouring back in.

 

[cthomas]

Great time to replace the fluid, just get a couple of 5 gal buckets of kubota fluid.

 

[Smokeydog]

I replaced the new line, new multiple piece design to eliminate stress on the rubber elbow during the 400hrs service so fluid was drained anyway. The line is near the top of the tank or above so shouldn’t be much oil loss if you don’t drain.
The hard line attaches to filter housing bolted to the oil tank. Just one bolt and o-ring seal but removed the rear tire to access. This also helps tilting the tractor to reduce oil loss.

My friend bought a new B26 about 2012 and was having to replace that rubber elbow frequently until the line upgrade. Rarely leaks at elbow but volcanos oil out the rear vent.

Very few problems from this incredible TLB.

 

[iko]

Thanks @Smokeydog and you all for your help! Picking up the hose assembly tomorrow.

 

[Smokeydog]

Let’s us know what you find and results.

 

[iko]

Picked up the parts and oil from the dealership couple a days ago. They attached an o-ring to my order said I'd need it. Who am I to argue, these guys deal with Kubotas day in and day out. Turns out there was an o-ring in the kit anyways.





Oh well, better an extra one than a missing one.

Took off the rear wheel and undid the front hose clips. Then the bolt holding the pipe on, with a 1/2" socket. When I pulled the pipe out of the rear oil started to geiser out of the hole so I put it quickly back on and grabbed a clean paper towel sheet and plugged the hole. Prepared the new pipe with the o-ring and replaced the plug with the pipe. This was at the rear. All in all I probably lost 1/2 a quart of oil. The front was less messy, only a few drops. One thing that surprised me was that the oil that came out was quite a dark color. Is this a hydrostatic transmission effect? This is my first tractor with hydrostatic transmission. I've never seen so dark hydraulic oil on any of my other tractors.




You were spot on about the elbow. Here's the post mortem







While I was at it I used some PlastiX on the lights lenses to clear out the fog.

Before

After


Ordered some LED bulbs to replace the halogen ones. Looking forward to get some action on this tractor.

 

[#40Fan]

All of the hydraulic oil is being shared with the HST.

Is this tractor new to you or have you had it since new? How many hours on it?

Do yourself a favor. Return the LED bulbs and replace the lights/housing all together with LED. (if I'm reading it right and you're just replacing the elements)

 

[iko]

All of the hydraulic oil is being shared with the HST.

Is this tractor new to you or have you had it since new? How many hours on it?

Do yourself a favor. Return the LED bulbs and replace the lights/housing all together with LED. (if I'm reading it right and you're just replacing the elements)

The tractor is new to me, 1050 hours on it. I've had several small and bigger tractors, but none with HST. Have not seen on my previous tractors hydraulic oil going from clear honey like color to dark like this one is. Of course I will change the oil, but I'm just wondering if maybe it's never been changed before, or it gets dark within 400 hours because of the HST?

I hear you about the LED bulbs, I might send them back, but thought I'd try and see if there's any improvement over the old halogen ones. My concern is the form factor and that they don't fit well in the lens mirror.

 

[Smokeydog]

Glad you found and fixed the problem.

I have always bought used tractors and have always replaced filters and lubricants just to be sure. 400hour hydraulic oil was just a little tinted. There are two rear axle drain plugs are a bear to reach. Didn’t get much oil out them either. HST filter change 200 hour intervals.

Front axle oil was surprisingly dark at 400hr charge. Switched to Lucas synthetic 70-90 gear oil. Job best done in warm weather.

 

[iko]

Do yourself a favor. Return the LED bulbs and replace the lights/housing all together with LED. (if I'm reading it right and you're just replacing the elements)

You were right, it was a waste of time. This model is just too long, doesn't fit. Other models seem to have a bigger rear so it won't fit at the back.



@Smokeydog I'll swing by the dealer and get the hst and suction oil filters tomorrow. Not a big fan of doing work with oil in the winter, outside, but this needs to be done.

 

[Smokeydog]

You were right, it was a waste of time. This model is just too long, doesn't fit. Other models seem to have a bigger rear so it won't fit at the back.

View attachment 117417

@Smokeydog I'll swing by the dealer and get the hst and suction oil filters tomorrow. Not a big fan of doing work with oil in the winter, outside, but this needs to be done.

Air and fuel filters? Check, replace front axle oil. I know it’s a lot up front but you want many trouble free hours. Oil is much cheaper than metal.

 

[iko]

Air and fuel filters? Check, replace front axle oil. I know it’s a lot up front but you want many trouble free hours. Oil is much cheaper than metal.

Checked the air filter and it seems really clean, maybe it was changed by PO recently. I got the fuel filter, though I've since read in the service manual that the fuel filter can be cleaned with kerosene, so maybe this was me overly concerned, oh well, I got a new one anyway.

I was planning to change the front axle oil and got 80w90 gear oil on hand already. For the hydro and hst I got Kubota Premium UDT oil from the dealer. Here in Canada they don't offer UDT or super UDT2.

 

[Smokeydog]

Enjoy many productive hours with a very versatile TLB.

 

[fried1765]

Enjoy many productive hours with a very versatile TLB.

This past Summer, I tried to convince my friend to buy a B26 TLB.
He had never owned any tractor before, and was about to begin his dream home build.
He was trying to decide between a B26 TLB, and an L47 TLB.

While he was flailing about, I found him a 295 hour (not rental) M62.
He surprised me, and bought it (...lotta bucks).
He is now in love with his 2021 M62 (and I am envious).