L2900DT-GST (4wd) Chronic Hydraulic leaks - at wits end.

[CPo]

Good Morning folks. As the title says, I have an L2900 that seems to have a problem holding its drink. I'm hoping for help from the wise folks here.

First incident: I bought this as our first tractor, used, and freshly serviced. The seller reported that they had had to replace the hydraulic pump, but everything was working now, and should be good forever. I ought to have left it behind. Instead, I brought it home, where it sat for the better part of 6 months, unused.

Second incident: Finally used the tractor around the yard to move some bricks, do some grading, pull some stumps, and do this and that. Noticed a trail of red. Soon afterwards had a red volcano out of the hydraulic pump. Frothing goo everywhere, massive puddles on the driveway. Winter coming soon, and I figured I had better get it running before snow. Took it to Kubota where they replaced a front axle seal, an o-ring in the pump, and some couplings. Adjusted the 3pth limits to prevent over-pressuring the system. Cost: $5,000 plus $150 transport fees.

Third incident: A week after getting the tractor back, I used it to clear snow. When the wrapped up, the tractor was leaking again. Called Kubota dealer to see if they would warrantee their work, since it looked like the leak was at the pump again. Kubota replaced some Pioneer quick-connect fittings and sent it home. Cost $350 plus $150 transport fees

Last incident: Literally days after getting the tractor home, the latest (heavy) snow hit. So Thanksful the tractor is working! Used it to move snow. Cleared driveway and yard, helped out a couple neighbours, etc. After about 10 hours of work, the fluid is below the sight glass, and I have a foot-long puddle in the snow beneath the pump again.

Currently the tractor is leaking hydraulic fluid from the left side of the 3pth, from the pump, and from somewhere up front (I can see drops of fluid on the snow on the steering knuckle, but not sure where its from - maybe a line to the loader?).

Being new to tractors, I have no idea where to start the trouble-shooting. Do I just keep paying Kubota to chase the problem around? Do I cut and run, replacing the tractor? Is it likely that one line someplace is plugged forcing everything else over-pressure and blowing seals? Is it just an old tractor and this is to be expected?

I am so open to ideas, you can call me a window. Naw, that's too small. Call me a patio door.

 

[Mowbizz]

Lemon law? hire a lawyer and get a refund on your lemon.

 

[CPo]

Lemon law? hire a lawyer and get a refund on your lemon.

Yeah, we don't have that on used goods around here, especially not from a private seller.

 

[JasonW]

Is it a L2900 DT or GST? The title says both. Not sure what hydraulic fluid is red? Is the hydraulic fluid level correct?

Could have a plugged vent causing it to overpressure and leak.

Your post is kind of hard to follow. What all was replaced/repaired? What was you charged for? Some fittings and a o ring doesn’t narrow it down any.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Give us pictures of where you are having leaks.

And Yes I'm a little baffled by the RED hydraulic fluid, did someone dye it?
Kubota UDT and SUDT2 is not naturally red.

If your not able to do any wrenching yourself, you really should not have done a 30 year old tractor.
You should have done a much newer tractor with no old issues and a warranty.
Unless you really like spending money on repairing it, might want to talk with the dealer on what they would give you for a trade in on a new model.

There are quite a few things that could be causing your issues, but it's really sounding like your biggest issue is its age and or a lack of preventative maintenance.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Wonder if someone put MIL-H-5606 hydraulic fluid in it, it is
dyed red.

 

[D2Cat]

Lemon law? hire a lawyer and get a refund on your lemon.

Going to have a lemon law on a tractor that is 26 years old? Where are you from!!

 

[CPo]

Thanks for the replies folks... For some of the feedback - I am new to tractors - never owned soething more complicated than a ower, but for this big of a yard, I think I got the right machine. I would be happy to wrench on it if I knew where to start, but right now I am at about the level of a 16 yr old working on Dad's car as far as my knowledge goes.
I feel like the dealer is fixing symptoms but missing the cause of my issues, and I really hope there is a silver bullet, but I lack confidence, and the comment about a 30 yr old tractor may be on the money.

I'll try to attach some photos and maybe things will make sense. One piece that is interesting is that when I parked the tractor last tie, the sight glass was nearly empty. Right now it looks full. Is it normal for the fluid level to drop in use and then settle back to the tank when the tractor is turned off? Should it drop that much?

Regarding the fluid - I am not sure what Kubota is putting in it, but I am in Canada, and I think that up here they use a different fluid than they do in the US. Not entirely sure about that though.

The largest puddles are forming under the pump. Leaks at the front/rear are much smaller.

 

[JasonW]

Is all this after the dealer worked on it?

The first picture looks like a busted hose. Simple fix.
The oil on the axle is it dripping from the loader arm? Same with the picture of the oil in the snow, dripping from the loader arm?

The picture around the rock shaft needs to be cleaned up to see where it’s leaking from as it doesn’t appear to be “red” hydraulic fluid.

 

[JasonW]

Also do you have an owners manual and service manual for your model? That will help with troubleshooting and general knowledge about your machine

 

[CPo]

Is all this after the dealer worked on it?

The first picture looks like a busted hose. Simple fix.
The oil on the axle is it dripping from the loader arm? Same with the picture of the oil in the snow, dripping from the loader arm?

The picture around the rock shaft needs to be cleaned up to see where it’s leaking from as it doesn’t appear to be “red” hydraulic fluid.

Thanks Jason. Yes, all these were taken this morning. The dealer fixed it last week, I cleared snow over the weekend, this is what I have now. The tractor was actually dripping when it weas dropped off here, and they told me it was just a matter of wiping things clean.

I wondered the same about the loader arm dripping on the axle, but I can't see a leak there. Some of the hoses are aged and cracked and need replaced. This leak is the least concerning to me. I was planning to replace all the old hoses anyhow.

I hope you are right and I just need to replace a bunch of hoses.

What do you make of the leak at the rear? How hard is it to replace seals in the 3pth?

 

[CPo]

Also do you have an owners manual and service manual for your model? That will help with troubleshooting and general knowledge about your machine

I downloaded the operators manual. If there is a spot to download a service manual, I'm all ears.

Are replacement hoses best made up locally or bought online somewhere?

 

[JasonW]

I downloaded the operators manual. If there is a spot to download a service manual, I'm all ears.

Are replacement hoses best made up locally or bought online somewhere?

Some members might have a manual for your machine they could send to you.

The leak at the 3pt IMO needs to be cleaned to verify the location of the leak as it’s not red like the others. Looks to be darker like motor oil or grease residue.

Hoses would be dependent on your area. My local NAPA builds hoses on the spot. Just bring them in and they match up the length and fittings if needed. Probably cheaper than buying from the dealer if they are even available.

 

[CPo]

Some members might have a manual for your machine they could send to you.

The leak at the 3pt IMO needs to be cleaned to verify the location of the leak as it’s not red like the others. Looks to be darker like motor oil or grease residue.

Hoses would be dependent on your area. My local NAPA builds hoses on the spot. Just bring them in and they match up the length and fittings if needed. Probably cheaper than buying from the dealer if they are even available.

Thanks - I just called NAPA and they don't build hoses, but they put me on to another shop that sounds hopeful, and with any luck, cheaper than Kubota.

I tested your theory on the leak at the 3pth, and you're right. Black goo - probably oil. I thought the fill cap back there was for the hydraulic fluid though, how does oil reach that joint? Could it be grease that got hot and ran?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks - I just called NAPA and they don't build hoses, but they put me on to another shop that sounds hopeful, and with any luck, cheaper than Kubota.

I tested your theory on the leak at the 3pth, and you're right. Black goo - probably oil. I thought the fill cap back there was for the hydraulic fluid though, how does oil reach that joint? Could it be grease that got hot and ran?

Discount hose, LINK , is cheap and effective way to get all the hoses done up.
Most all the leaks all look hose related.
Get some orange or purple cleaner and clean everything up and isolate the leaks.

The leaks on the rock shaft (three point arms) is fairly common when they get older.
You should check the vent to make sure it's clear as that will exacerbate the issue.
That will be hydraulic fluid it's just dry.

I really worry about what fluid they have in that tractor, and if it's not the right fluid that can cause some serious issues!

I would do a complete fluid and filter change just to be sure!

Yes #070 is hydraulic fluid fill, there might be mutiple fill points but they all reach the same point.
And any fulic that gets to the roick shaft (three point shaft is just splash from the differential.

Check this vent:

There is 2 Simple O-ring seals that seal the ends of the rock shaft.
They are not super easy to get out and replace, but it can be done.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

FYI Kubota 'oil' here in Ontario is called 'Premium UDT'..(UDT and S-UDT south of the 49th..).. $41.46 for a 5 liter jug of it (just bought 3 on Tuesday ). It's very 'clearish'...IE NO colour !