Oil Leak When PTO is engaged

[RobFromBelize]

I trecently purchased a Kubota B7800 with 3,200 hours on it. I bought it to bush hog an 8 acre property and just picked up a 5ft. rotary cutter for it. I seems to handle the 5 ft. cutter with no problem whatsoever but I did notice that when I engage the PTO, oil streams out from under the area where the seat is. I had someone crawl down there to take a look at it and it seems to be coming from the area where the drive shaft from the engine enters the charge pump. As soon as I start bushogging it drives forward but it jerks and makes a whining noise. I immediately turned off the PTO and checked the UTF fluid level which seemed to be a little over the max line on the dipstick. It was then that I noticed oil on the driveway. What could be causing the leak and how easy of a fix is it? Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated. I live in Belize and parts for Kubota are not readily available. Im sure i can order whatever parts I need from the US but Im just wondering how difficult it would be to fix the leak. I read that this could be a bad oil seal but I dont trust everything I read. Hoping someone on here will be able to give me professional advice on how to go about diagnosing the cause of the leak. Also, im not sure what oil the previous owner put in it so its also possible the oil may be something other than UTF and the filters and screen may be dirty as well as I have not checked that yet either. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Keep in mind that as soon as i turn off the PTO, the leak stops.

Regards,
RobfromBelize

 

[chim]

I can't tell you how to fix it but it would be very helpful to those who can if you would post pictures of where the leak is located. In order to post picture I think you need 5 posts.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

There's a case breather on the 3 ph cylinder housing, which puts it under the seat. The gears may be whipping the oil, especially if it's overfilled. Remove the excess oil. Also, some oils may be more prone to foam. Make sure to use the fluid specified in the manual.

 

[D2Cat]

Could easily be mud dobbers in that bent rubber tube!

 

[RobFromBelize]

I can't tell you how to fix it but it would be very helpful to those who can if you would post pictures of where the leak is located. In order to post picture I think you need 5 posts.

 

[RobFromBelize]

There's a case breather on the 3 ph cylinder housing, which puts it under the seat. The gears may be whipping the oil, especially if it's overfilled. Remove the excess oil. Also, some oils may be more prone to foam. Make sure to use the fluid specified in the manual.
View attachment 163483

Thank you. I’ll check that.

 

[RobFromBelize]

Could easily be mud dobbers in that bent rubber tube!

Which rubber tube??

 

[Russell King]

The tube circled in red in post #3 is the rubber tube and the transmission vent.

Since you are from Belize you may not know what a “dirt dauber” is. That is a wasp like insect that builds their nest from mud. They build nests inside small openings like a rubber tube.

If the vent tube gets plugged it could cause pressure to build up in the transmission case and force fluid past seals.

If the fluid gets foamy then it may just come out of the vent tube.

So the suggestions seem to be:
1) To make sure the vent is open to see if that helps your leak and
2) To see if the fluid is leaking out of the vent tube and running down to where you think you are seeing the leak from a seal.

 

[whitetiger]

Pull the dipstick with the tractor engine off. Is the oil milky colored?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Which rubber tube??

Pictured in Post #3

 

[RobFromBelize]

The tube circled in red in post #3 is the rubber tube and the transmission vent.

Since you are from Belize you may not know what a “dirt dauber” is. That is a wasp like insect that builds their nest from mud. They build nests inside small openings like a rubber tube.

If the vent tube gets plugged it could cause pressure to build up in the transmission case and force fluid past seals.

If the fluid gets foamy then it may just come out of the vent tube.

So the suggestions seem to be:
1) To make sure the vent is open to see if that helps your leak and
2) To see if the fluid is leaking out of the vent tube and running down to where you think you are seeing the leak from a seal.

Thank you for taking the time to explain that. We have dirt daubers here as well and I will be sure to check that tube tomorrow. Thanks again for your time and willingness to help.

 

[RobFromBelize]

Pull the dipstick with the tractor engine off. Is the oil milky colored?

No. It’s Clear. Can barely make out where it is on dipstic it’s so clear

 

[Russell King]

You may need to back away some from the tractor and point to the general vicinity of the leak also. I think your picture shows the mid PTO from below and the other shows some hydraulic connection point (and a loose wire that probably needs to be attached to something?) but I have no idea where they are really.

The one picture that shows the loose wire has some buildup around it so has been leaking for some time.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

You may need to back away some from the tractor and point to the general vicinity of the leak also. I think your picture shows the mid PTO from below and the other shows some hydraulic connection point (and a loose wire that probably needs to be attached to something?) but I have no idea where they are really.

The one picture that shows the loose wire has some buildup around it so has been leaking for some time.

Pretty sure his red arrow in the first picture is pointing to the nipple the shepherd's hook vent hose should be on. Isn't that the lowering speed control knob at the bottom of the picture?

 

[#40Fan]

I believe those pics are from under the machine. Can see the drain plug in both.

You can just make out the fluid dripping in the second pic.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The arrow point to the case on the front of the HST and that is the input shaft to the HST.
Could be that seal or could be a host of other possibilities.

 

[RobFromBelize]

I trecently purchased a Kubota B7800 with 3,200 hours on it. I bought it to bush hog an 8 acre property and just picked up a 5ft. rotary cutter for it. I seems to handle the 5 ft. cutter with no problem whatsoever but I did notice that when I engage the PTO, oil streams out from under the area where the seat is. I had someone crawl down there to take a look at it and it seems to be coming from the area where the drive shaft from the engine enters the charge pump. As soon as I start bushogging it drives forward but it jerks and makes a whining noise. I immediately turned off the PTO and checked the UTF fluid level which seemed to be a little over the max line on the dipstick. It was then that I noticed oil on the driveway. What could be causing the leak and how easy of a fix is it? Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated. I live in Belize and parts for Kubota are not readily available. Im sure i can order whatever parts I need from the US but Im just wondering how difficult it would be to fix the leak. I read that this could be a bad oil seal but I dont trust everything I read. Hoping someone on here will be able to give me professional advice on how to go about diagnosing the cause of the leak. Also, im not sure what oil the previous owner put in it so its also possible the oil may be something other than UTF and the filters and screen may be dirty as well as I have not checked that yet either. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Keep in mind that as soon as i turn off the PTO, the leak stops.

Regards,
RobfromBelize View attachment 163527

I believe those pics are from under the machine. Can see the drain plug in both.

You can just make out the fluid dripping in the second pic.

Those pictures were taken laying on my back under the tractor. It’s where the input shaft goes into the charge pump. That’s where the oil is coming from. I checked the vent tube with the shepherds, hook hose and sure enough somebody had put a screw in there to prevent wasps from plugging it up. Makes no sense right? Anyway, I removed the screw and check to make sure that the tool was clear of any obstruction And I must say that it did help but the seal seems to have already been damaged as the oil is still leaking just not as bad. Already ordered the seal and now I need to find someone to replace it for me. Hopefully that’s all it is. Thank you to everyone for all your assistance. Love this forum!