LX 3310 - Fording through Deep Water

[AllPawDrive]

Hello all,

I noticed today that my front axle has a curved vent. My tractor was parked at an angle and I noticed a little bit of fluid leaking out the vent.…not much.

It got me to wondering, if i ran through deep enough water, could I end up getting water entering the front axle through the axle vent? Should I plug the front axle vent when going through deep water?

Thanks.

 

[85Hokie]

My first thought would be yes - unless that vent has some one way pressure valve at the beginning of it.

As for plugging - I would suggest adding "hose" to make the vent taller ......... much like those JEEP guys with the air intake when crossing rivers and whatnot.

 

[radas]

Hose and check valve like 85Hokie mentioned will solve your problem. Google search for differential vent check valve, grab a length of hose, barb fitting, hose clamps, and a couple zip ties and you can extend your breather tube. Alternatively, if you can remove the breather tube and clamp a new vacuum hose on altogether, that will eliminate the need for a hose barb and give you a cleaner install.

 

[AllPawDrive]

Thanks for the replies.

I haven’t had to travel through deep water yet, but I’ll certainly address the axle vent before I attempt a deep crossing.

 

[SDT]

Hello all,

I noticed today that my front axle has a curved vent. My tractor was parked at an angle and I noticed a little bit of fluid leaking out the vent.…not much.

It got me to wondering, if i ran through deep enough water, could I end up getting water entering the front axle through the axle vent? Should I plug the front axle vent when going through deep water?

Thanks.

Absolutely.

Cold water contacting warm/hot axle creating a vacuum to pull water in if vent below water level.

 

[GeoHorn]

Deep water (which I define as above the front axle wheel lug-bolts at their LOWER points) is BAD JUJU for your tractor. The front axle isn’t the only concern…. it’s the transmission, clutch, HST, PTO, and differentials which can be expen$ive. Stay out of deep water unless you have deep pockets.