MX5100 ball bearing in tranny fluid

squibbley

New member
Apr 17, 2018
3
0
0
st c ohio
I did my initial tranny fluid for the 400 hour interval. When I removed the main rear drain plug- I heard a plopping sound into the container. After the fluid had drained, I fished a ball bearing out. I took it to my local kubota dealer and the mechanic had never heard of it happening. He indicated to figure out what bearing it came from it would be approx 100 hours labor. I have never noticed anything wrong with the operation of the tractor. I am not inclined to spend $2000.00 to figure out where it came from. What are your thoughts on my options. Thanks for your assistance.
 

SDT

Well-known member

Equipment
multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
3,250
1,041
113
SE, IN
I did my initial tranny fluid for the 400 hour interval. When I removed the main rear drain plug- I heard a plopping sound into the container. After the fluid had drained, I fished a ball bearing out. I took it to my local kubota dealer and the mechanic had never heard of it happening. He indicated to figure out what bearing it came from it would be approx 100 hours labor. I have never noticed anything wrong with the operation of the tractor. I am not inclined to spend $2000.00 to figure out where it came from. What are your thoughts on my options. Thanks for your assistance.
It is not uncommon to find foreign objects in the sumps of equipment that has been in use for long periods, especially after multiple repair procedures.

That said, it is uncommon to find such in the sumps of relatively new equipment.

Though there is no way to know, it is likely that the ball found it's way into the sump during manufacture of the machine. This is one of the reasons that the first service is so important.

If mine, I would pay close attention and probably buy the extended warranty if applicable.

SDT
 

Fastdonzi

Member

Equipment
New Grand L3560
Dec 4, 2015
64
1
6
East Tn
any other signs of shavings or possibly pieces of the cage?? ( Had to be a broken cage for the roller to come out ) Or, Wishful thinking would be that is a Check Ball for a oneway circuit in there somewhere, an anti drain back :)
 

D2Cat

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,810
5,540
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40 miles south of Kansas City
I have a friend who works on tractors usually 100HP and up. A few years ago I was at his shop and he showed me a Case tractor (like a 2090) that he was working on. He found a full sized flashlight in the bottom of the transmission housing (I think it was).

He said the switch was on, so he figured someone was working on it, looking at a particular part, put the flashlight down and there it remained. Guy must have went to lunch or answer the phone and when he came back the light was not shining so he forgot about it and buttoned it back up....who know how this stuff happens.
 

squibbley

New member
Apr 17, 2018
3
0
0
st c ohio
There were no other pieces of the cage - The ball bearing was not scored at all. The was small filing on the magnet but I do not think it was part of the cage.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,161
6,334
113
Sandpoint, ID
More info might help, like what drain plug location and more importantly what model MX5100 do you have? ;)
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
30,161
6,334
113
Sandpoint, ID
Run every lever, like range, shift, PTO and 4wd and check for a detent feel (clicks into place), if one is not locking in, there is where your ball is from, and it's way better to address it now instead of later when there could be some serious damage.