So....my L3902 is coming up on 400 hours, was getting ready to service it, decided to check front axle fluid level after thumbing through the manual, was VERY LOW. I quit counting pumps around 50 strokes from my five gallon buck pump. I'm not sure how low it was, but was clearly not filled up from factory or checked at dealer when we bought tractor, really not sure if it had anything in it at all. what now? I guess the front axles are pretty tough, pretty P.O.'D that the front axle has been running low on oil all this time....not sure how I should approach this....bet is going to be expensive when it fails down the road.
front axle on new tractor very low or no oil in it?
- Thread starter L3902dotido
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I had the same issue with my new L3302, called the dealer and they sent a service truck to fill it.
I checked all fluids when I first had it delivered and was like WTF.
Complete BS, seems that Kubota does not completely fill the axle and
its the dealers responsibility to fill it when assembling the tractor.
Seems to be a common issue. I would take a sample of what fluid is installed and fill it with the same. Mine came with UDT2 so that is what I had them fill it with but it can take gear oil.
At 400 hours I would drain it and fill it.
I checked all fluids when I first had it delivered and was like WTF.
Complete BS, seems that Kubota does not completely fill the axle and
its the dealers responsibility to fill it when assembling the tractor.
Seems to be a common issue. I would take a sample of what fluid is installed and fill it with the same. Mine came with UDT2 so that is what I had them fill it with but it can take gear oil.
At 400 hours I would drain it and fill it.
I'm in the process of draining it. Pretty upset about it but don't think there is anything I can do or can be done about it. First service on it was supposed to be at 800 hours. Wouldn't have guessed it wasn't filled up from factory! Shame on Kubota for not filling them up at the plant, shame on the dealer for not checking it. After doing a little research looks to be a VERY COMMON issue. I'm not accepting the blame on this one. I paid good money for this tractor. Kubota is more expensive than competing brands and paid it thinking I would get a quality product. One lift cylinder on the loader has leaked from the get go. Took it back and had it rebuilt. Still leaks. Factory quick attach will get into rear tail light. Busted it this weekend. Bucket has a bow in it(doesn't sit flat), from what I don't know. Good luck sitting on seat when it decides to regen. Wonky reverse peddle is about as far you can get from good ergonomics I've seen on a machine. Cheap paint already showing sun fade. Paid $647 a month for the last three years and have another year of payments left. Very disappointed.
It's the dealer's responsibility to fill the front axle, not Kubota's. There are plenty of useless dealers around the country. I've had four Kubotas and zero issues and I put that down to a great product and two awesome dealers.
jyoutz
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MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Absolutely. It seems like the OP’s issues are a dealer prep problem, not a manufacturing issue.
When adding fluid, fill until running out the hole, BUT it's not full. After adding fluid and it's full, put the plug in and check it again in two days. It takes time for all the fluid to migrate through the gears to the other side.
BAP
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2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
As the tractor owner, you share the blame if you waited 400 hours to check the fluid levels in your tractor. Yes, your dealer should have filled it up, but the minute it is in your possession, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure all fluids are at the proper level. You can say you aren’t accepting blame, but it is negligent on your part not to maintain your tractor. As far as your cylinder leaking, if they fixed it and it still leaks, you should have taken it right back and made them fix it again instead of complaining about it on here. Taillight breaking from quick hitch means that you have the top link set too short.
Runs With Scissors
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L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Really?
Wow that seems like an awfully long time for a 1st servicing?
Just so you have something to compare, on my 2501, they recommend a 50 hour 1st service.
(Oh and my axle was a little low too)
My L2501 was about a quart low on delivery as well.
I needed to get plowing, so I just filled it with some SUDT I had in the garage, but I’d have had the dealer come out if I had the time to wait on it.
Its apparently quite common on newly delivered tractors for the front axle to be low/empty.
I needed to get plowing, so I just filled it with some SUDT I had in the garage, but I’d have had the dealer come out if I had the time to wait on it.
Its apparently quite common on newly delivered tractors for the front axle to be low/empty.
I would not worry too much. If it had enough oil to reach the gears it should be fine. Plus they are only loaded when in 4WD.
Dan
whitetiger
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The problem with running it while low on oil is the pinion and ring gear bearings. The pinion shaft bearings are set up quite a ways from the bottom of the axle tube. They are the ones that melt and seize.
I know where the bearings are. I was trying to reduce the guys anxiety level.
And while I am at it I dont lay any blame at rhe OP's feet. Filling that axle is the responsibility of the dealer. The customer should not have to check it on delivery anymore than I need to check the axle oil on a new car.
Dan
BAP
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2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
So you are saying Dan that you never check any fluids in your tractors and cars over the lifetime of ownership? You trust that your dealer has properly serviced them when you buy them and then just run them for years without maintenance. 400 hours is a long time to go without checking your fluids.
Runs With Scissors
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L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
I am saying I expect them to be full on delivery from an OEM and I follow the OEM schedule unless theres some sign of leakage. So yes, that can be years and/or many hours on some things. I have never felt the need to check a differential on a factory new truck, car or tractor. Or on a used vehicle after it comes back from a scheduled maintenance.
Dan
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I've seen so many examples of dealers not correctly filling fluids after warranty work or maintenance, so although it sounds good to think that customer's shouldn't need to check, the reality is that it's well worth doing.
I bought a new "used" truck almost a year ago now. The truck was $$$$ and way more than a freakin' L3902 tractor, and the dealer claimed that all the fluids had been checked, that the oil had been changed, that the wheels had been rotated and tire pressure checked. Yeah right! I had to buy Ford coolant and top off both coolant expansion tanks which were low, the engine oil was on the low side, the inside tire pressure on the rears (dually) was at least 20 psi low.
I ended up changing the oil and filter regardless of the dealer's claims since I had no way of knowing if they actually had changed the engine oil.
This is the real world despite the wishful thinking of some here.
I bought a new "used" truck almost a year ago now. The truck was $$$$ and way more than a freakin' L3902 tractor, and the dealer claimed that all the fluids had been checked, that the oil had been changed, that the wheels had been rotated and tire pressure checked. Yeah right! I had to buy Ford coolant and top off both coolant expansion tanks which were low, the engine oil was on the low side, the inside tire pressure on the rears (dually) was at least 20 psi low.
I ended up changing the oil and filter regardless of the dealer's claims since I had no way of knowing if they actually had changed the engine oil.
This is the real world despite the wishful thinking of some here.
There are literally 100's of millions of people that can't and/or dont double check their vehicle service providers. The people that do are a tiny percentage. That is the real world.
Dan
Dan
What's that got to do with anything? What "100's of millions of people" do or don't do has no bearing on best practices. I put significant value in the things that I pay a lot of money for, and I have a realistic attitude towards the lack of due diligence or quality work so often seen at car, truck and tractor dealerships. I choose to be proactive and to check things that can have a serious affect on the function and longevity of expensive equipment that I'm paying for.
Blowing smoke up someone's arse and telling them not to worry without actually knowing if they should worry is ridiculous and serves no purpose. I choose not to placate people.
The only person blowing smoke anywhere is you. I told the guy to relax and I stand by that advice. More specifically I said he did nothing wrong and I stand by that as well.
Its water over the dam and absolutely nothing he can do to change it. He filled it up and theres no indication of any problems. He has done his part. Time to quit wringing hands and move on.