Hydraulic Problem

skratch · Sep 19, 2019

I have an L345DT Kubota, I have to bleed the hydraulic system every
time I use it. Lately it fails even when I'm using it. The oil is milky & looks
like very small bubbles. I bleed it at the line under the pump.

Thanks for any ideas,
john

D2Cat · Sep 19, 2019

Sounds like moisture and air in the system. Bubbles are air, milky is probably water. Does it set out and then does water get in around the shifting lever boot?

Daren Todd · Sep 19, 2019

Check at your hydraulic pump where the lines tie into it. On most of those older models they use a rubber sleeve to tie the suction line into the pump. If you have a pin hole in it or a loose clamp, the pump can suck air.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

North Idaho Wolfman · Sep 20, 2019

Like both before have said, water and air in the system.
Drain the fluid, clean the suction screen, check the suction line for any wet spots as those are suction leaks.

skratch · Sep 20, 2019

I've read that the early L345 tractors used 80w gear oil in the tranny &
hydraulic system. Mine was bought new around 1980. Would 80w be
less likely to foam ? I changed the fluid and cleaned the filter not many
hours ago, it's been a long time problem. Maybe the original owner changed
out the 80w to fluid.
D2Cat, the shifter has a metal spring loaded cap, no rubber boot. I'll try
to find one that will cover it all.
Daren, the small metal line connects directly to the pump, the larger line
has a flexable coupler from the filter, I'll check it.

Thanks to all,

North Idaho Wolfman · Sep 21, 2019

skratch said:
I've read that the early L345 tractors used 80w gear oil in the tranny &
hydraulic system. Mine was bought new around 1980. Would 80w be
less likely to foam ? I changed the fluid and cleaned the filter not many
hours ago, it's been a long time problem. Maybe the original owner changed
out the 80w to fluid.
D2Cat, the shifter has a metal spring loaded cap, no rubber boot. I'll try
to find one that will cover it all.
Daren, the small metal line connects directly to the pump, the larger line
has a flexable coupler from the filter, I'll check it.

Thanks to all,

The question I have is what fluid do you have in it now?
The use of 80w has long been dumped for modern hydraulic fluid, and no it shouldn't foam, like we said if it's foaming it's either sucking air or has water in the fluid, and one fluid change will not always get all the water out of the system, sometimes it takes several tries.

skratch · Oct 1, 2019

Another question, did the L345DT have a rubber shift lever boot ?
I ordered one but received the stamped sheet metal cap, called
supplier, they said no such part was shown.

Thanks,
John

North Idaho Wolfman · Oct 1, 2019

In order to get better info it would help if you answered the questions put to you.

They don't say what material they use, and there is an inner and outer shield on that model tractor.

motionclone · Oct 1, 2019

skratch said:
Another question, did the L345DT have a rubber shift lever boot ?
I ordered one but received the stamped sheet metal cap, called
supplier, they said no such part was shown.

Thanks,
John

There is a rubber boot under the shift lever, have to remove the top of the shift box to get to it. Mine was leaking out the shifter on steep hills after fully warmed up and fluid expanded. My boot was torn and leaky. https://www.messicks.com/ku/85349?sectionId=219370&diagramId=361232

I have an L345DT.

Here is the part# I ordered and worked although

Kubota: SHIELD, PTO S-CH, Part # T0270-23870 https://www.messicks.com/part/t0270-23870/shield-pto-s-ch

skratch · Oct 2, 2019

motionclone said:
There is a rubber boot under the shift lever, have to remove the top of the shift box to get to it. Mine was leaking out the shifter on steep hills after fully warmed up and fluid expanded. My boot was torn and leaky. https://www.messicks.com/ku/85349?sectionId=219370&diagramId=361232

I have an L345DT.

Here is the part# I ordered and worked although

Kubota: SHIELD, PTO S-CH, Part # T0270-23870 https://www.messicks.com/part/t0270-23870/shield-pto-s-ch

Thanks for the info, I finally found a schematic with your info, turns out
the problem on the shift lever water seal was simple, just an O ring under the metal cap.
It's on order, got the flex coupler for the suction line,

Obvious I'm not a tractor person,

Thanks to all for the help.

I don't have much to offer in return on tractors but I used to be a gunsmith,
my specialty was research, repair and restoration of antique and historical
firearms. If I could be of any assistance in that respect I would be glad to
help.

Thanks,
John

Fordtech86 · Oct 2, 2019

skratch said:
Thanks for the info, I finally found a schematic with your info, turns out
the problem on the shift lever water seal was simple, just an O ring under the metal cap.
It's on order, got the flex coupler for the suction line,

Obvious I'm not a tractor person,

Thanks to all for the help.

I don't have much to offer in return on tractors but I used to be a gunsmith,
my specialty was research, repair and restoration of antique and historical
firearms. If I could be of any assistance in that respect I would be glad to
help.

Thanks,
John

I may PM you some questions and pics when i can get them on an antique gun if you don’t mind.

skratch · Oct 2, 2019

Fordtech86 said:
I may PM you some questions and pics when i can get them on an antique gun if you don’t mind.

Please do, I'll try to help.

Fordtech86 · Oct 2, 2019

skratch said:
Please do, I'll try to help.

Thank you! I’ll dig it out of the closet when i get a minute.

skratch · Oct 4, 2019

I've drained the milky oil out of the gear case, filter and lines, if alcohol absorbs water could you
pour a gallon of denatured alcohol in the gear case to sort of flush it out ?
Seems the remaining alcohol would evaporate over a couple of days.
Just another crazy idea ,,,

GreensvilleJay · Oct 8, 2019

re: Seems the remaining alcohol would evaporate over a couple of days.

then what's left would STILL be the water..........

simply fill with correct oil, get hot( run for say an hour), then drain it again, overnight or longer. Replace any filters as well.....

Jay

North Idaho Wolfman · Oct 8, 2019

skratch said:
I've drained the milky oil out of the gear case, filter and lines, if alcohol absorbs water could you
pour a gallon of denatured alcohol in the gear case to sort of flush it out ?
Seems the remaining alcohol would evaporate over a couple of days.
Just another crazy idea ,,,

That crazy idea could cost you thousands in damage, DON'T DO IT!
Alcohol and hydraulic systems don't play well together.

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Hydraulic Problem

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