Hi All,
I hope I can describe this so that it makes sense...
I have a B2601 with about 250 hours on it. The engine runs smooth at all RPM's and I don't notice any problems with it. The only concerning thing I have going on is that when I'm climbing a hill -- steepness doesn't seem to matter -- I hear a "clicking" type of sound. As best as I can tell, it seems to be coming from the front of the tractor. I know "clicking" is a weird description, but it's not like a grinding sound and doesn't sounds like gears improperly engaged. It's just an odd "clicking".
The behavior doesn't change if it's in 2x2 or 4x4 mode, nor does it seem to change with L, M, or H range on the gearbox. RPM's also don't seem to matter. It's a little more noticeable at lower RPM's, but I think that's just because the engine isn't as loud and I can hear it better. The clicking frequency - ie. number of clicks(?) - does seem to increase and decrease with speed depending on how I'm pressing the pedal.
My initial thought was that it was something with the 4x4 / front drive line, but it does it in 2-wheel drive as well. It does not make the sound if the tractor is sitting still, even at full RPM's with the rear PTO running.
It's an odd sound. I can't remember when it started, but it's been there for at least a couple of years. I'm just now wondering more about it since I'm almost running out of the Kubota insurance plan that comes when you finance a tractor. It will be paid off in a few months and I'm wondering if it's one of those "normal" sounds a kubota hydrostatic drive makes, or if I should have it looked at.
There was one incident a few months after I first got the tractor... I had a 150 lbs load hanging from an elevated bucket without any rear ballast (other than filled tires). All was fine until I headed down the driveway and the tractor rear started to bounce... and with each bounce speed, and the pucker-factor, increased. All in one magical move, I dropped the bucket and threw it into 4x4 to get some braking from the front wheels. As rough as that was, I didn't notice anything adverse from the tractor. No odd sounds, grinding or anything else. The "clicking" presented itself a while after that, so I didn't really tie the two together. I have no trouble putting the tractor in/out of 4x4 mode and I get power to all 4 wheels. Moving the lever in/out of 4x4 is smooth and uneventful.
Any ideas what the sound might be, or where/how to better locate it? Are there things I can test without dissecting it? Or, is this just one of those hydrostatic sounds that kubota makes?
Apologies if my description sounds like a crazy person. I promise, I'm mostly sane!
Thanks in advance for any tips.
I hope I can describe this so that it makes sense...
I have a B2601 with about 250 hours on it. The engine runs smooth at all RPM's and I don't notice any problems with it. The only concerning thing I have going on is that when I'm climbing a hill -- steepness doesn't seem to matter -- I hear a "clicking" type of sound. As best as I can tell, it seems to be coming from the front of the tractor. I know "clicking" is a weird description, but it's not like a grinding sound and doesn't sounds like gears improperly engaged. It's just an odd "clicking".
The behavior doesn't change if it's in 2x2 or 4x4 mode, nor does it seem to change with L, M, or H range on the gearbox. RPM's also don't seem to matter. It's a little more noticeable at lower RPM's, but I think that's just because the engine isn't as loud and I can hear it better. The clicking frequency - ie. number of clicks(?) - does seem to increase and decrease with speed depending on how I'm pressing the pedal.
My initial thought was that it was something with the 4x4 / front drive line, but it does it in 2-wheel drive as well. It does not make the sound if the tractor is sitting still, even at full RPM's with the rear PTO running.
It's an odd sound. I can't remember when it started, but it's been there for at least a couple of years. I'm just now wondering more about it since I'm almost running out of the Kubota insurance plan that comes when you finance a tractor. It will be paid off in a few months and I'm wondering if it's one of those "normal" sounds a kubota hydrostatic drive makes, or if I should have it looked at.
There was one incident a few months after I first got the tractor... I had a 150 lbs load hanging from an elevated bucket without any rear ballast (other than filled tires). All was fine until I headed down the driveway and the tractor rear started to bounce... and with each bounce speed, and the pucker-factor, increased. All in one magical move, I dropped the bucket and threw it into 4x4 to get some braking from the front wheels. As rough as that was, I didn't notice anything adverse from the tractor. No odd sounds, grinding or anything else. The "clicking" presented itself a while after that, so I didn't really tie the two together. I have no trouble putting the tractor in/out of 4x4 mode and I get power to all 4 wheels. Moving the lever in/out of 4x4 is smooth and uneventful.
Any ideas what the sound might be, or where/how to better locate it? Are there things I can test without dissecting it? Or, is this just one of those hydrostatic sounds that kubota makes?
Apologies if my description sounds like a crazy person. I promise, I'm mostly sane!
Thanks in advance for any tips.
