Kubota L48 lost it's secondary hydraulics.

[Alex22]

On the 4th I was helping to take down a tree that was blown down bit still hung up in a tree from the last storm. After that was taken care of the boss wanted to dig up the stump. While he was setting up he lost the secondary hydraulics and it now makes an inconcistant chirping sound, kinda like there is a bird in there.
The front bucket was down, the rear digging arm was down and one outrigger was half way down when this happened. We were able to drag it back to the barn like that.
What works: steering and driving.
What doesn't: front bucket, outriggers, and rear bucket.
Hours: about 650
What I think: The drive shaft running to the front pump sheared a bolt or broke a pin on the input side. I'm going to be digging into it this weekend, any input would be appreciated.

On an unrelated note I did a new radiator, 2 pistons, a whole set of rings, valve job, resurfaced the head, head gasket and radiator repaired about 2 months ago.

~Alex

 

[2grit]

I had the exact thing happen on my L35. There are 2 hydraulic pumps on the L35 and I am certain the same goes with the L48. The pump in question is driven by a shaft forward of the engine. My pump failed when the shaft splines sheared the splines in the pump. It was a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. I had to tear down the front of the tractor; grill, brush guard, headlights, you get my point. Didn't take very long once I knew what had happened. The squealing came from the sheared splines (very rusty). If this is not clear enough, just ask. I will keep checking the post.

 

[Alex22]

I had the exact thing happen on my L35. There are 2 hydraulic pumps on the L35 and I am certain the same goes with the L48. The pump in question is driven by a shaft forward of the engine. My pump failed when the shaft splines sheared the splines in the pump. It was a relatively easy and inexpensive fix. I had to tear down the front of the tractor; grill, brush guard, headlights, you get my point. Didn't take very long once I knew what had happened. The squealing came from the sheared splines (very rusty). If this is not clear enough, just ask. I will keep checking the post.

I took the front pump out this morning. It only took about 2 hours, like you said the brush guard, battery and battery tray had to come out and the it was just another dozen or so bolts and the pump was out. The input flange was able to spin independently from the pump gears. I wasn't able to get the drive flange off of the pump to take a look inside so we left it on the front steps of the local tractor repair shop with a note. We'll see how bad it is in a day or two.

Thanks for your input.

~Alex

 

[2grit]

Glad to help. Let me know how you made out

 

[Alex22]

Glad to help. Let me know how you made out

I picked up the repaired pump and was able to hook it up tonight allong with the old input flange; the splines were rusted out of the old one. The repair shop it did not have the small expansion plug installed over the new input flange so I removed it from the old one, put grease on the exposed parts of the splines and put the cap on to seal it in. Hopefully this will keep the new one from rusting out. The trickiest part of the whole job was getting the battery tray out and then back in. It only took about 3 hours total to remove and then install the pump.

Tractor is up and operating like a champ now. The hydraulics were sluggish to respond at first because of the air in the system.

~Alex

 

[2grit]

Super glad it worked out for you