L2600DT Front Differential

[55gasser]

First off I would like to say hello, nice to have friends that have been there done that! I just purchased a Kubota L2600DT with a front end loader. I am going over the tractor changing all the fluids and greasing everything. I am new to the tractors but I have been around cars and trucks so I have a few mechanical skills.
My first of probably many questions is on the front differential there is what I would call a dipstick. When I screwed it out all I see is grease! Is this front diff supposed to have gear lube or grease? Is it possible for gear lube to take the form of grease from neglect? It is a thick tan color and feels just like grease. If its not supposed to be this way how do I go about getting it out and correcting the problem? I don't have a manual on this tractor. Were is a good place to get one?

 

[Russell King]

Welcome to OTT.

The manuals can be bought from Messicks- see the link below directly to the parts page for your model. There are three manuals there, parts, owners and shop manual. You do not need the hard copy of the parts manual - it is online

http://www.messicks.com/TractorParts/Kubota/L2600DT.aspx

Good luck with the tractor.

I do not think that the front differential should have grease in it. It would have very thick oil (80-90W) similar to a car's differential.
It may just be very thick from use...

 

[Lil Foot]

It is a thick tan color and feels just like grease.

Sounds like water & gear oil mixed.....

 

[freewheel3]

Sounds like water & gear oil mixed.....

I second that.
There should be a drain plug on the bottom of the diff housing, (it will be on the back of the diff) drain it and flush it a few times with diesel until its clean then top it up with 80w90 gear oil.
Your tractor will also have front wheel drive housings that are separate from the front diff. You might as well service those while you're at it, they will take the same type of oil.

 

[55gasser]

Do I need to drive the tractor with the diesel in there or just let it set? Keep in mind what ever this stuff is its as thick as grease.

 

[freewheel3]

Do I need to drive the tractor with the diesel in there or just let it set? Keep in mind what ever this stuff is its as thick as grease.

Yes, fill it as full as you can and drive it for 5 or 10 minutes and then drain it. Repeat until clean. Drive it on side hills to slosh the diesel around and do a better job of cleaning that gunk out of there.