How to replace pto seal on L35

justoldernow

New member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, BX2680 w 60 in. mmm & BX2822-55 in.Snowblower
Nov 10, 2012
8
1
3
East Central PA
Hi all, I purchased a 2004 L35 tlb back in 2012 for my retirement gift. Has been a great machine. Recently it developed a leak at the rear pto shaft. Can I replace the seal by just removing the 4 cap screws & plate or is it more involved. I’m not sure if the seal will go over the end of the pto shaft.
Thanks for your input. Bob S.
 

PoTreeBoy

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
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WestTn/NoMs
Here's the page from the WSM
Screenshot_20240606-111350-872.png

There's a spline coupling connecting the PTO drive shaft and the PTO shaft. Bear in mind the WSM's describe a transmission disassembly/reassembly, I don't know what happens to the coupling if you just pull the PTO shaft out.
 

StephenR

Member
Feb 12, 2024
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18
8
Kentucky
I had to change the PTO seal on my 4000 Ford and found a good video on You Tube that showed how to do it. Mine was as simple as pulling the 4 bolts and plate. The seal on the Ford was in the plate section and was easy to replace.

A word of caution. If you don't drain the differential, have a large drain pan under the tractor to catch the 2 or 3 gallons of oil that will come out. At least my Ford lost that much. :rolleyes:
 

justoldernow

New member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, BX2680 w 60 in. mmm & BX2822-55 in.Snowblower
Nov 10, 2012
8
1
3
East Central PA
Thanks Stephen. That’s what I was hoping to do. I may have seen that video. I have a lot going on this week but next week I’m planning on heading to a kubota dealer and see what they have to say.
A friend of mine looked at it today and thinks itll be an easy fix like your ford.
Fingers will be crossed in the meantime. Thanks again.
 
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tbk5

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Equipment
L3710, L3010, ZD1211, RTV900xt, GR2100, lots of 3pt equipment
Sep 24, 2013
180
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28
Central AL
I did it on my L3010. It was not difficult. Parts diagrams do help.
 
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justoldernow

New member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, BX2680 w 60 in. mmm & BX2822-55 in.Snowblower
Nov 10, 2012
8
1
3
East Central PA
It looks like the slinger and seal would slide over the splines if you could pull the old ones out. Are the bearings tight?
I only visually inspected the leak, haven’t gotten under there yet to see If the shaft feels
tight. I’m planning on taking the backhoe off next week so I can get at it easier.
I’ve only used the pto a few times since I purchased the tractor, I doubt if it was used more than 40 hrs total i would think the bearings should still be good.
 

PoTreeBoy

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Equipment
L35 Ford 3930
Mar 24, 2020
2,805
1,522
113
WestTn/NoMs
I only visually inspected the leak, haven’t gotten under there yet to see If the shaft feels
tight. I’m planning on taking the backhoe off next week so I can get at it easier.
I’ve only used the pto a few times since I purchased the tractor, I doubt if it was used more than 40 hrs total i would think the bearings should still be good.
I'm not sure my PTO has ever been used, the cap is still on it. I wonder how much fluid is behind the cap. You could just get a cap :cool:.
 

justoldernow

New member

Equipment
Kubota L35 TLB, BX2680 w 60 in. mmm & BX2822-55 in.Snowblower
Nov 10, 2012
8
1
3
East Central PA
I'm not sure my PTO has ever been used, the cap is still on it. I wonder how much fluid is behind the cap. You could just get a cap :cool:.
I’m pretty sure I still have the cap. Nothing would be lost to put it on but does the cap cover the entire seal? Will have to check that out. Thanks for the idea!
I still have to replace the seal though because we just purchased 6+ acres next to our place that needs major brush clearing or the fields will be lost. Been shopping for a used heavy duty brush cutter.
 

lugbolt

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Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,205
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Mid, South, USA
going off of memory...


remove the 4 bolts and pull the shaft assembly out. Drain the oil first. Up inside the transmission is a collar, that may or may not fall off. If it does, you have to fish it out and put it back on which can be "interesting".
 

tbk5

Active member

Equipment
L3710, L3010, ZD1211, RTV900xt, GR2100, lots of 3pt equipment
Sep 24, 2013
180
93
28
Central AL
if the L35 hydaulic oil level site glass is near there, check that. I never needed to replace the pto seal. It was the rubber grommet of the site glass leaking. That was also an easy replacement.
 
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L35

Well-known member

Equipment
L35/TL720/BT900/York rake/Valby chipper
Jun 13, 2010
505
383
63
CT
if the L35 hydaulic oil level site glass is near there, check that. I never needed to replace the pto seal. It was the rubber grommet of the site glass leaking. That was also an easy replacement.

edit: note to self-less single malt next Friday-I'm seeing double. o_O
None of that on a L35