Leaking gear boxes on mower decks

[JasonW]

No, the intial change is at 50 hrs, and every 100 afterwards. Much more frequent than my previous 2120 Which I believe was every 200 with no 50 hour change.
They also want the gearbox level checked every 50 hrs.
Indicates to me they are aware of a problem.
Still spec'ing UDT2.
They're also pushing more frequent changes on a lot of other filters and fluids. Possibly a way to increase revenue ???

If you look at the owners manual there are many items that are supposed to be checked/replaced more often than seems necessary. This is across all models.

To me 50H is a long time on 5oz of oil in a gearbox to last.

 

[TJP440]

Or maybe longevity.

Possibly?
I feel that the quality the Japanese were known for is slipping a bit. This is based on several experiences outside of Kubota.
In my engineering career I worked both with and for the Japanese. Yokogawa as a supplier of automated analysis equipment and Canon in their Semiconductor equipment division. During this time I was fortunate to have attended several weeks of Kaizen seminars.
Trust me when I say the types of experiences I've had in the last 5 or so years with some well known Japanese companies/products would absolutely not have been acceptable or tolerated.
They would pursue problems to the microscopic level. Sometimes irritatingly so. That is not a derogatory comment but rather a compliment to them. It is how they achieved the success they did.
They say "History repeats itself". I'm wondering if the mid 70's Detroit mentality is beginning to set in with them?
Back to original topic 🫢

 

[TJP440]

If you look at the owners manual there are many items that are supposed to be checked/replaced more often than seems necessary. This is across all models.

To me 50H is a long time on 5oz of oil in a gearbox to last.

I can't say I agree or disagree as there are many variables involved. My b3200 calls for 90w in the mower deck and it has never leaked. Don't recall the qty. I believe it calls for changing at 200 hrs.
Ill have to look at its vent system as it has mowed the same property many times before purchasing the first GR.

 

[whitetiger]

Now, if we just knew where the GR line is manufactured and where that Peerless gearbox came from.
Hint: they are not from Japan.

 

[dcongie]

Wanted to up date this. The above mod worked well on level ground but would still puke a bit of fluid going down STEEP hills and possibly when mowing with the R side of the deck substantially lower (mowing a hill sideways). I have devised what I believe will resolve the issue permanently but need to test it a bit more to be sure. Will update

Can you provide an update? I have this issue on my GR-2020 and would like to get it corrected.

Thanks

 

[TJP440]

Can you provide an update? I have this issue on my GR-2020 and would like to get it corrected.

Thanks

I am still confirming what I believe will be the final fix.
I found just a small amount of oil in the filter I was using, but think it may have been residual from the REV 1 version. I didn't have a new one on hand so I cleaned it as best as possible and re- used it.
The deck however is as dry as the mojave after six - 3 hour mowing's .
I just received a new filter but have not had a chance to mow with it. By the 23rd or so I will have mowed 2 more times. Will try to post then. Or post again and I'll respond with the status

 

[dcongie]

I am still confirming what I believe will be the final fix.
I found just a small amount of oil in the filter I was using, but think it may have been residual from the REV 1 version. I didn't have a new one on hand so I cleaned it as best as possible and re- used it.
The deck however is as dry as the mojave after six - 3 hour mowing's .
I just received a new filter but have not had a chance to mow with it. By the 23rd or so I will have mowed 2 more times. Will try to post then. Or post again and I'll respond with the status

Thanks for the update. I am going to try this next time I mow. There is enough clearance in the area to raise the deck all the way up without hitting anything.

 

[TJP440]

Thanks for the update. I am going to try this next time I mow. There is enough clearance in the area to raise the deck all the way up without hitting anything.

Sorry for the Delayed response been busier than a one legged man in an azz kicking contest.
Your success may depend on hills and their grade. Mine are steep.
My 2nd attempt moved the filter all the way up to the battery area. After several mowing's the deck was dry but I had a bit of oil present at the outlet of the filter.
D/A me did not install a new DRY filter so I am not sure if it may have been residual oil from the failed first attempt or not?
The latest revision Has moved it a bit higher yet and installed a NEW DRY filter. The first 3 hour mowing showed no signs of oil but I will not claim victory until 3 or 4 more mowing's. I will definitely keep the post updated.
There is one possible solution left that I will try if this one does not prove out.
How did yours work out for you?

 

[TJP440]

The final.
Rev 1 did not work due my hilly terrain. Iw as quite puzzled at first until I thought about the location of the vent, my hills and the horizontal shaft inside the gearbox slinging oil directly at the opening

The Rev 2 location I believe would have worked but I erred in not using a NEW filter. The filter in the Rev 1 version had gotten oil in it and I thought I had it clean enough to use but evidently not. I believe the air escaping took residual oil molecules with it and created the damp oilyresidue I found near the filter.

The Rev 3 location is only a few inches higher and has shown ZERO oil after 15 hours of mowing and the deck is dry as the Mojave in August.

I will likely try reverting to the Rev 2 location as the hood clearance is currently very limited.

IMO the original design is flawed and likely to eventually have issues even when mowing on level ground. This due to oil vapor exiting with the pressure venting form the gearbox when in use. This creates an oil film which attracts the dirt and clippings eventually plugging the miniscule side vent holes as well as coating the top bronze sintered filter . The vent being in the direct path of oil slinging off the horizontal shaft only aggravates the problem.
Can you say BAD IDEA /DESIGN / DEFECT ?
It’s disappointing to me that Kubota would allow this to continue all these years without implementing a simple fix. They say history repeats itself Detroit 1980 comes to mind

 

[Old Machinist]

The fill plug check valves have a tendency to stick closed causing excessive pressure to build and create leaks.

What I do every time I check the oil is squirt some WD-40 in them and blow them open with compressed air.

 

[lugbolt]

not quite
The seal isn't the issue, it's the flipping vent/breather.
I'm not sure if it's the hilly acreage or the poorly placed VB.

No, the problem is...that it's a GR series mower.

 

[TJP440]

No, the problem is...that it's a GR series mower.

The early GR's were plagued with problems. My previous unit had 800+ hours with no issues other than the steering rack boots disintegrating ( Which they still haven't addressed). But I did locate a source for urethane replacements which I have an extra pair waiting .
My issue is
1. I have very hilly terrain and the 4wd is needed in areas especially if slightly damp or wet.
2. There are also areas that require sharp turns at the bottom of some hills
3. The weight of bigger units (BX) is hard on the lawn. I can attest to that as having lived here for over 32 years the Lawn responded favorably to the lighter GR
(yes I do mow different paths (where possible) each time)
There are not many choices in this category that fit my needs. Deere makes a unit that is similar but substantially more $$ and has several known issues as well. There are a few others even more $$
But at my age I'm not sure how much longer I'll be living here. I love the privacy but the maintenance on the property house etc. is getting tiresome

 

[TJP440]

I will add that I considered placing the original vent in place of the filter but due to it having a spring loaded relieve valve, I decided no pressure may be better than an unknown pressure. I did try to measure the point it opened at but did not have a gauge sensitive enough to read that low. The valve is marked with a 5 but that could be ???
It does open with less than 1 PSI.
Also may not have mentioned I'm using 75-140 synthetic gear oil

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