"L" series bevel gear housing pivot oil seal....

[Loadlock54]

So is the is the upgraded pivot seal # TC230-13040 worth the $105.00 price tag over the $30.00 aftermarket O.E.M. original?? What improvements have been made.... Dealers response is "It's just better".... ?...... Thanx..... P.S. I've always called it the bevel gear housing seal but Kubota Parts is calling it the pivot seal......

 

[old and tired]

Is it a fun job to do?? Just in case it doesn't work out, you willing to do it again? If the answer is no, $60 in savings ain't much if you have to do the seal again!!! I would pay $105...

 

[Loadlock54]

Is it a fun job to do?? Just in case it doesn't work out, you willing to do it again? If the answer is no, $60 in savings ain't much if you have to do the seal again!!! I would pay $105...

Do you have some insight as to what if any improvements have been incorporated in the up graded seal??? The 3 dealership service dept. were vague at best..

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's simply just a better design and less likely to leak.

 

[old and tired]

"Aftermarket" and cheaper; that just screams to me that it's a knock-off made from chinese "rubber" (who know what type) and that the specs were "close enough" to say that it matches the actual true size. Seen parts that were substandard...

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I think it is important to get a little more info on who made the comment. you mentioned it was the "dealer". Do you mean the owner of the company?

could this person have been a certified mechanic or simply a minimum wage place holder behind a parts counter?
was this person considered experienced expert or just a warm body taking up space and commenting outside their skill set?

hard to know without a little more info.

My dealership is considered on the larger side also has fuel pumps. I know simple questions like is your diesel pumps carrying #1 or #2, what amount of bio is currently in the tanks, what types of additives are being added over and above base product from the refinery is being ordered/added is often returned with blank stares.

So know who was asked and what type of follow up questions is important to determine whether the answer is a flippant or maybe uneducated response or maybe from someone who just wasn't having a good day.

cheers

 

[Loadlock54]

"Aftermarket" and cheaper; that just screams to me that it's a knock-off made from chinese "rubber" (who know what type) and that the specs were "close enough" to say that it matches the actual true size. Seen parts that were substandard...

It was an N.O.S. in original Kubota packaging....A bit rough but appears functional..

 

[dirtydeed]

Do yourself a favor and fill the axle with gear oil after replacing the seal...not SUDT.

just sayin'

 

[Loadlock54]

I think it is important to get a little more info on who made the comment. you mentioned it was the "dealer". Do you mean the owner of the company?

could this person have been a certified mechanic or simply a minimum wage place holder behind a parts counter?
was this person considered experienced expert or just a warm body taking up space and commenting outside their skill set?

hard to know without a little more info.

My dealership is considered on the larger side also has fuel pumps. I know simple questions like is your diesel pumps carrying #1 or #2, what amount of bio is currently in the tanks, what types of additives are being added over and above base product from the refinery is being ordered/added is often returned with blank stares.

So know who was asked and what type of follow up questions is important to determine whether the answer is a flippant or maybe uneducated response or maybe from someone who just wasn't having a good day.

cheers

I contacted the service dept. of 2 local dealerships and 1 out of state dealerships service dept. ( Large online presence) all had similar response - new seal is "Better" but had no real insight as to what improvements were made ...It sounds as though you may have contact info for Kubota Corporate Technical assistance ?? I'm not against a $100 seal but I'd like to know what I'm paying for...

 

[whatsupdoc]

Do yourself a favor and fill the axle with gear oil after replacing the seal...not SUDT.

just sayin'

What is the reason for that.

 

[old and tired]

What is the reason for that.

Thicker oil less likely to leak out pass the seal...

As for the $100 question, You have to ask yourself... why would they redesign it? You already have the old seal and it's leaking... just a guess but I bet the new seal is less likely to leak...

PS, I use gear oil, 80/90 weight...

 

[dirtydeed]

What is the reason for that.

Old N Tired nailed it.

It's a common issue (had it happen to me as well with an old BX model after changing out seals/bearings). It still leaked until I dumped the UDT and replaced it with gear oil.

There are reports of many "smarter" dealerships swapping the hydraulic fluid out with gear oil for that very reason.

 

[RCW]

As others mentioned, a lot of guys use gear oil instead of SUDT2.

Especially warmer climates.

I continue with SUDT2, but mine hasn't leaked, and I've had to blow snow at -8 degrees F before.

80/90 can get pretty thick at 0 degrees F.