4240 leaks hyd oil at clutch drain plug

[bobcatguy]

First problem with my Kubota 4240 hydrostatic tractor. It has 800 hours on it. Just started leaking oil out of the clutch housing drain plug. I have determined it is hydraulic oil. How do I fix it?

Bobcatguy

 

[number two]

Tractor must be split to change the seal.
Known to be an issue on the GL 40 series,at least.
Good Luck!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes a split, it's leaking from the FWD propeller shaft seals.
It's a fairly simple job, just time consuming.

 

[LanceTaysom]

First problem with my Kubota 4240 hydrostatic tractor. It has 800 hours on it. Just started leaking oil out of the clutch housing drain plug. I have determined it is hydraulic oil. How do I fix it?

Bobcatguy

Hey Bobcatguy, It's been over a year since your post. I am apparently (just started today) having the same issue on my L4240. 785hrs. What did you do about it? Thanks!

 

[LanceTaysom]

Yes a split, it's leaking from the FWD propeller shaft seals.
It's a fairly simple job, just time consuming.

Hey Wolfman, I am having the same issue as Bobcat. L4240 785hrs. You sound pretty confident it's the FWD propeller shaft seals. I am wondering how "yes a split" and "it's a fairly simple job" can be used in the same 2 sentences?
Would it be reasonable to let it leak and closely monitor the HYD oil level to get me through the winter? Thanks!

 

[lugbolt]

after you've done a few "splits" they aren't hard. Time consuming and a lot of parts have to come off. Done at the house in my shop, I can do one in about 9 hours or so. Biggest problem is keeping up with all the stuff you take off and second biggest issue is supporting and moving each half of the tractor securely. I have an electric pallet stacker that I use to move the back half of the tractor, and support the front with the loader frames using adjustable jack stands. I leave the loader on if at all possible but on the HST's I had to pull the RH frame off, remove a couple pipes, then put the frame back on. A little more work but worth it to support the tractor properly.

everyone does it differently but that's how I did it.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Hey Wolfman, I am having the same issue as Bobcat. L4240 785hrs. You sound pretty confident it's the FWD propeller shaft seals. I am wondering how "yes a split" and "it's a fairly simple job" can be used in the same 2 sentences?
Would it be reasonable to let it leak and closely monitor the HYD oil level to get me through the winter? Thanks!

Yes it's reasonable to monitor it and keep an eye on levels and you'll be fine for the winter.
Splitting these is not really that hard in my opinion.

 

[LanceTaysom]

after you've done a few "splits" they aren't hard. Time consuming and a lot of parts have to come off. Done at the house in my shop, I can do one in about 9 hours or so. Biggest problem is keeping up with all the stuff you take off and second biggest issue is supporting and moving each half of the tractor securely. I have an electric pallet stacker that I use to move the back half of the tractor, and support the front with the loader frames using adjustable jack stands. I leave the loader on if at all possible but on the HST's I had to pull the RH frame off, remove a couple pipes, then put the frame back on. A little more work but worth it to support the tractor properly.

everyone does it differently but that's how I did it.

How common is it for these FWD seals to fail? Do you have a feel for how much oil may typically leak - are we talking spoonful or liter/hr? Does this leak happen only when HYD is under pressure (engine running), or does it just gravity seep through? If this is a known issue, are the replacement seals so much better? Thanks for your time!!!!

 

[LanceTaysom]

How common is it for these FWD seals to fail? Do you have a feel for how much oil may typically leak - are we talking spoonful or liter/hr? Does this leak happen only when HYD is under pressure (engine running), or does it just gravity seep through? If this is a known issue, are the replacement seals so much better? Thanks for your time!!!!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Small amounts, spoonful's normally.
Not a pressure issue, just gravity leak.
Will leak a little more when warmed up and fluid thins out.
The seals were changed from original design, there is also a sleeve to keep the seals in place.

 

[LanceTaysom]

Small amounts, spoonful's normally.
Not a pressure issue, just gravity leak.
Will leak a little more when warmed up and fluid thins out.
The seals were changed from original design, there is also a sleeve to keep the seals in place.

Thanks that is a little more comforting knowing all my HYD fluid is not going to blow out! Now the next question is a little tricky - who do you recommend I get to do this work? Local Kubota guys, no so much.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thanks that is a little more comforting knowing all my HYD fluid is not going to blow out! Now the next question is a little tricky - who do you recommend I get to do this work? Local Kubota guys, no so much.

There is the million dollar question, I do all my own work, so for me the answer is simple.
I guess find a local mechanic that is willing and able to do it.
It is a fairly simple job, the WSM will help with the repair too.

 

[LanceTaysom]

There is the million dollar question, I do all my own work, so for me the answer is simple.
I guess find a local mechanic that is willing and able to do it.
It is a fairly simple job, the WSM will help with the repair too.

Showing my ignorance here - what is the WSM? Thanks again for your time here tutoring me!

 

[Russell King]

WSM —> Work Shop Manual

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

WSM (aka Service Manual)

 

[BobInSD]

Wolfman, I just discovered my 5740 has this issue at about 840 hours. It's probably been going on for awhile, but I had occasion to pull it onto a concrete slab to grease the mower last week and saw a puddle start to form. My fluid is really clean, so at first I thought I was low but it turns out it's still a pretty small leak. More when it's hot and thinned out, but even then not even a spoonful in several days (all I've had time to monitor since the discovery). If I mow for several hours the change isn't noticeable on the dipstick.

Is your advice to have it fixed ASAP, or is this something I can milk for a year or two (acreage tractor, maybe gets 60-70 hours per year). Right now splitting it on my own is more than I can tackle, but it's something I may want to learn how to do some day, and it is a pretty small tractor so I may be able to work up the nerve at some point.

Thanks,

 

[BobInSD]

I wimped out and took it to the dealer. Is is something I'd like to learn how to do, but hopefully when the "next time" rolls around my excuse can be that I'm too old and not that I'm a big scaredy-cat.

Thanks,

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Sorry @BobInSD , I just caught this post.