Water fording

crose237

New member

Equipment
MX5100 box scraper, snow blade, pallet forks and bale spear
May 9, 2011
12
0
0
Missoula, MT
How deep of water can I ford with my MX 5100? The lowest potential problem I see is the exaust. Do I need to do anything special with the front differential when operating in fresh water?
 

Eric McCarthy

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B6100E
Dec 21, 2009
5,223
7
0
43
Richmond Va
I wouldent make a habbit out of puting a tractor in water alot. If it has 4 wheel driver water can collect into the transfer case and cause an issue, not to mention the amouts of rust that it'll build up on the bottom of the tractor.
 

hodge

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,906
453
83
Love, VA
I second what Eric said. How deep are you planning on fording, and why? Like any vehicle, you have to be concerned about the air intake, the exhaust, and the fan. But, you also have to consider axle and wheel seals, pto seals, driveshaft seals for 4WD, etc. I don't think that in the grand scheme of things when these tractors were being designed, water fording on a regular basis were considered. I wouldn't do it with mine.
My rule of thumb is to not go deaper than the seals on the front wheels- they are the lowest vulnerable point. I have a creek in my front yard, with a bridge and a fording. I go through it, but not when it is real deep.
 

B7100

New member

Equipment
B7100,B7100 with Backhoe and FEL, Goldoni Quad 20
Feb 11, 2010
422
2
0
Wales
How deep is the water in a paddy field?!
Dave
 

fast*st

Member

Equipment
M7040, L2900, F550 ford, Yanmar vio70 excavator, Case 580, JD 350 dozer, JD 644E
Jun 26, 2012
172
4
18
Northern Mass
M7040
I've got a similar issue, clearing out some drainage grates, once a month or so we get kinda deep, The air intake is above the battery by a few inches and so picked a spot on the grille guard that's a few inches lower than that. The fan does get a little wet but its a drive in, chain up and lift and back out, clean the grates and set them back in place. The tires get submerged but I do grease the front axle pivit and king pins before and after each dive. Good idea though to inspect the front axle closely and make sure there isn't any water getting in, the vent line is far up above the engine, almost seems like they would expect a bit of deep water.
 

hodge

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,906
453
83
Love, VA
M7040
I've got a similar issue, clearing out some drainage grates, once a month or so we get kinda deep, The air intake is above the battery by a few inches and so picked a spot on the grille guard that's a few inches lower than that. The fan does get a little wet but its a drive in, chain up and lift and back out, clean the grates and set them back in place. The tires get submerged but I do grease the front axle pivit and king pins before and after each dive. Good idea though to inspect the front axle closely and make sure there isn't any water getting in, the vent line is far up above the engine, almost seems like they would expect a bit of deep water.
You can tell if water has gotten mixed in with the axle lube.
 

fast*st

Member

Equipment
M7040, L2900, F550 ford, Yanmar vio70 excavator, Case 580, JD 350 dozer, JD 644E
Jun 26, 2012
172
4
18
Northern Mass
true enough, milky or signs of contamination, guess the best is keep an eye on it and change it every year. Almost pondered rotating the air intake some to get a bit more clearance.