Lots of silicone on the trans strainer at 50 hrs

[jrleslie]

I don't post often, but I read here a lot. Thanks to those of you that willingly share your time and knowledge. It is really appreciated.

I just completed the 50 hr service on my new BX23s. How long am I able to call it "my new BX 23s" anyway? I am really enjoying it!

That said, I was surprised to see so much silicone on the strainer and am wondering if it is normal during the break-in period, or if I need to be vigilant about finding warrantable repairs before they are no longer covered.

I have a couple questions for all the smart people here in the forum:

1. Is this normal/within reasonable expectations?
2. Should I go ahead and change the SUDT2 ahead of the maintenance interval? I did clean the strainer and replace the filter as indicated in the manual.
3. I'm guessing this is gasket material. Are any of them more prone to leaking than others so that I can keep an eye out?
4. Could all that silicone have damaged my hydraulic system or worn it prematurely? What early symptoms would indicate this?

Also worth noting, and maybe it is because I think there should be after improving the flow by replacing the filter and cleaning the strainer, but there sure seems to be significantly less whine now than before.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer. This is my first tractor and I'm definitely still in the early phases of learning.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea that's a lot of gasket sealer, but I don't think it hurt anything, that's the strainers job to keep the larger debris out of the systems ahead of it.

Anything that got past it should have been caught by the spin on filter which is much finer.

I would just wait till the next service interval to change the fluid.

 

[lugbolt]

Normal. I wouldn't go looking for "defects" either..it'll drive you crazy. IOW if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you're concerned about the future repairs, get Kubota's insurance and/or extended warranty.

 

[Chaentjens]

Just did mine on my 2680. Same thing!
These guys are pretty careless building these.

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[marchanna]

I don’t think it’s carelessness; any sealant used squeezes out both sides when a part is assembled. If it doesn’t, then you haven’t used enough. This is specifically why they have you do a 50 hour service, to get all the crud out from the break-in period.

It looks like the strainer has performed as it’s supposed to. Next service, it will likely be clean, unless you add some other hydraulic stuff.


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[hodge]

Do any other brands of tractor have this much debris in the hydraulic system? I see constant posts here, as well as on facebook- it is the normal find on a Kubota. But, I don't think that it's acceptable.
It is a poor practice for Kubota to expect the filters to catch this initial debris, instead of manufacturing the tractor without some much foreign material in there.

 

[Chaentjens]

I don’t think it’s carelessness; any sealant used squeezes out both sides when a part is assembled. If it doesn’t, then you haven’t used enough. This is specifically why they have you do a 50 hour service, to get all the crud out from the break-in period.

It looks like the strainer has performed as it’s supposed to. Next service, it will likely be clean, unless you add some other hydraulic stuff.


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I build hydraulic equipment for a living daily.
I can tell you that we don't see that kind of debris unless one of the builders is careless with silicone and or teflon tape.
There is a right and wrong way to apply silicone and teflon.....

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[marchanna]

Fair enough. I use the Permatex thread sealant with FTPE, and it seems to do that every time.


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[Chaentjens]

You are right there will always be squeeze out. The goal is to have just enough so it doesn't get pulled into the system. We started redesigning a lot of our equipment to utilize o-rings for ease and quickness of assembly plus longevity.

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[jhschlak]

Just did mine on my 2680. Same thing!
These guys are pretty careless building these.

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Noob question. Can I remove the trans strainer without draining the entire hydraulic system on my BX1880?
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Chaentjens]

You can pull out quick and plug while cleaning but you WILL lose some oil.

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[jhschlak]

What do you guys use to plug the hole while cleaning the screen?
Thanks!

 

[anthonyv]

There was a post a while back that said you could use a #5 tapered rubber plug. I think the dimensions are about 1-1/16in at top & about 7/8in at bottom. EBAY is one source, I think some hardware stores may carry them. There was one person who was said to have carved a wine cork to fit. (must have been one helluva big wine bottle)

 

[D2Cat]

As mentioned, a good hardware store will have a drawer of various sizes of rubber plugs. Might even find one like use on a boat drain. Has the threaded rod going through it with a fender washer and a thumb screw to tighten it down, to make it somewhat adjustable.

 

[2 Bears]

Alight, I agree this is a good idea to do from the pictures but what i am reading manual only recommends engine oil, engine filter and trans filter at 50, is that correct? I just want to make sure i am not missing something.

 

[JackJ]

Alight, I agree this is a good idea to do from the pictures but what i am reading manual only recommends engine oil, engine filter and trans filter at 50, is that correct? I just want to make sure i am not missing something.

That's what my BX manual says, but many of us apparently change the trans. oil too at (or even before) 50 hrs.

 

[jhschlak]

That's what my BX manual says, but many of us apparently change the trans. oil too at (or even before) 50 hrs.

The manual for the 1880 says to change fluid at 50 hours while the manual for the 1870 says to only check the strainer at 50 hours.

 

[jhschlak]

There was a post a while back that said you could use a #5 tapered rubber plug. I think the dimensions are about 1-1/16in at top & about 7/8in at bottom. EBAY is one source, I think some hardware stores may carry them. There was one person who was said to have carved a wine cork to fit. (must have been one helluva big wine bottle)

Maybe this will work?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-1-8-in-x-15-16-in-Black-Rubber-Stopper-808268/204273761

 

[William1]

I just cleaned my strainer for the first time on my BX25D at 155 hours. I had only a few flecks, which is normal. But... I have seen strainers before like the OP's. Nothing to be scared of, it is why the strainer is there and why you need to clean it. Next time, I bet it is clean.

 

[200mph]

Something to consider...

The strainer shows small specs/pieces of silicon. It's not uncommon for silicon to be pushed outward of the flange, but it is typically not in small pieces but ribbons or longer pieces. I'm guessing it looks like shredded chunks because it has been chewed up by rotating or sliding components.

I'm also going to say with 99.5% confidence the silicon is placed using robotic means with very controlled feed rates. Most modern manufacturers are very concerned with the application of sealants and prefer them not to come loose from the matting parts.

It would be great to see the actual cleaning specifications Kubota uses post machining and sealant application. I've seen ones used in automotive and some of the foreign matter found in filter screens posted in the past would not pass manufacture's internal requirements. There's no guarantee foreign matter is caught before going through pumps or other sensitive equipment first.

It sucks that it is there and with any luck no meaningful long term effects will result... But no one can say with certainty that it is has no effect.

If given the choice, I prefer to see my screens and filters clear of any manufacturing garbage.