L5450 Transmission intermittent "ticking" noise

[Tree Guy Bob]

Long time viewer, first time comment!

I've owned Kubotas since 1985 and presently own an L5450 (1999 / 1100 hours) and B7200 (1985 / 3K+ hours). The L5450 replaced its little L3 sister, a stout L3350 that served me well and was replaced only because I finally found my Dream Tractor... the mighty L5450. None of my tractors have ever been repaired...for anything.

Today I present an L5450 issue which is a slight...and intermittent...ticking which appears to originate from the left side of the transmission housing. The ticking ranges from non-existent to audible at several feet away. I've used my stethoscope to isolate, but cannot determine an origin. Outside and operating temps don't affect the noise. Noise does not change with drive clutch or PTO clutch engaged/disengaged. Noise does not change under load. The L5450 does have the optional 'creep gear', which has almost never been used. Noise does not vary per RPM, gear or gear range selected. I admit to being Kubota OCD, but do know the noise is new.

My first (naive) guess is a bypass valve in the transmission filter...which is scheduled for a change. I hoping Mr. L5450 (Dick Bargeron) offers his valuable and educated opinion. Long time, no chat Dick! Hope all's well in MA. Life in the forests of IN remains excellent. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jhilde]

I had a Massey Ferguson 135 that would repeatedly click when the three point was raised all the way up. It was caused by the pressure relief valve opening and closing while the engine was at idle. My only advice would be to try cycling any hydraulics while listening for a change.

 

[rbargeron]

TREE GUY ! Great to hear your voice ! Love the pictures of the best-looking L5450 on planet earth!

I hate to let the air out of the confidence balloon, but I don't have a clue what could be causing the tick. The fact its independent of load, rpm, and gear pretty much leaves hydraulics - but what....
The EC's (hyd shuttle) control valve is on that side but no idea what would click.

Jhilde above might be on to something - the main hyd relief valve is on the right side - and is described in the WSM as "pilot-operated" where a smaller valve chamber "triggers" the main valve to pass a larger volume. Any chance the 3-pt hitch is fighting with those nifty arm levelers?

Let us know what you find - again, great hearing from you - take care, Dick B

p.s. timely you should appear today - I'm making a current DBH inventory of 12-18 prominent hemlocks within 200 ft of our house - planning a root soak of imidacloprid. We had an adelgid outbreak around 8 years back and put Mauget Imicide ampules in around the bases. But the little buggers are back. The trees are still in great shape so hopefully we're acting in time. Hemlocks are decimated in southern CT and getting so in MA.