Transmission dipstick missing. Kubota m9540-hdc

[hugo7432]

Uh oh.

I was going to do some work today with my kubota m9540 hdc when I found the transmission dipstick missing and a small puddle of transmission fluid on the ground under the back of the tractor.

I was doing flail mowing yesterday, and I predict that the dipstick came out (perhaps from a stick) when mowing. I don't know when, nor did I notice anything. If I put a piece of clean wire into the dipstick hole, there is no fluid on it. I don't know how much I have lost. Here's a picture of the transmission dipstick hole if it helps. The hole is just below the yellow lever in the photo. I noticed a lot of fluid on the pto plastic shaft and around the pto housing, giving me the impression that fluid was hosing out. Is it normal to have this pressure in the transmission?

You can see the puddle on the ground in this second photo. I've cleaned it up with a rag though. There was a fair amount there. Maybe 500ml to 1L. I don't know how much more has come out while mowing though.

I haven't run it today, nor will I until I fix this.

Tractor is new with only 30 hours on it.

Advice? Is this something the dealer should fix given the tractor is brand new?

I'm going need new fluid. Is it udt2 or just udt? And where can I get it? Dealer?

BTW I am in Australia so if your wondering how I have a new m9540, we don't have the same emissions regulations as in America. They still make new m9540s and sell them here.

 

[hugo7432]

I should mention, I've stuffed a clean rag down the hole just for now, so nothing gets in.

 

[Cathy Liebchen]

Just top it off and get a new dipstick

 

[hugo7432]

Just top it off and get a new dipstick

Okay. So you don't think I should drain it and refill. I don't know if anything got in there. I suppose that it gets replaced at the 50 hour break in service anyway. So it should be OK.

Any idea on how I can prevent this again. I was thinking to cut off the loop part of the dipstick so nothing can get caught on it.

 

[Magicman]

Since it is new with less than 50 hours, I would talk with the dealer and get their advice.

 

[Pau7220]

Any idea on how I can prevent this again.

Instead of cutting it, I'd put a safety wire or chain on it and try that first.

 

[hugo7432]

Instead of cutting it, I'd put a safety wire or chain on it and try that first.

Ok. Will do. I was also thinking of spray painting it kubota orange so I can easily see it.

 

[hugo7432]

Since it is new with less than 50 hours, I would talk with the dealer and get their advice.

Ok. Will do. Unfortunately, it's Sunday today and they're closed. But I will call them tomorrow. Thanks

 

[lugbolt]

clean the transmission vent

they get plugged and the transmission case builds pressure and then the dipstick gets blown into low earth orbit when the pressure builds high enough

 

[hugo7432]

I was thinking about this. Where is the vent?
And really, after only 30 hours??

 

[SidecarFlip]

The vent is on top of the gearcase and will have a black rubber hose attached. Some are just curved, others will have some type of mesh insert installed to keep debris out.

I would, for a safety measure against future loss, attach a small safety chain to the dipstick, fastened to one the bolt heads on the pto case.

In as much as it only has 30 hours and is under warranty?, I'd have the dealer get a new one, for zip.

The dipsticks come fitted with a rubber grommet that provides an interference fit resistance in the hole. Yours did have one I presume.

Finally, it SUDT 2 I believe. Won't know how much was lost until you get a new dipstick but you can ascertain the level somewhat. When the tractor is sitting level, The fluid level should be just below the bottom side of the PTO stub. IOW, the level cannot be any higher than the PTO output stub. The stub seal isn't designed to retain a constant pressure of fluid against it, only to contain it during operation, IOW splash.

I have a 2 speed PTO as well (2 speed, 2 shaft) and when I change shafts (from 540, 6 spline to 1000 21 spline), I elevated the back of the tractor on heavy duty ramps do move the fluid forward so I can extract one shaft and put in another.

 

[hugo7432]

The vent is on top of the gearcase and will have a black rubber hose attached. Some are just curved, others will have some type of mesh insert installed to keep debris out.

I would, for a safety measure against future loss, attach a small safety chain to the dipstick, fastened to one the bolt heads on the pto case.

In as much as it only has 30 hours and is under warranty?, I'd have the dealer get a new one, for zip.

The dipsticks come fitted with a rubber grommet that provides an interference fit resistance in the hole. Yours did have one I presume.

Finally, it SUDT 2 I believe. Won't know how much was lost until you get a new dipstick but you can ascertain the level somewhat. When the tractor is sitting level, The fluid level should be just below the bottom side of the PTO stub. IOW, the level cannot be any higher than the PTO output stub. The stub seal isn't designed to retain a constant pressure of fluid against it, only to contain it during operation, IOW splash.

I have a 2 speed PTO as well (2 speed, 2 shaft) and when I change shafts (from 540, 6 spline to 1000 21 spline), I elevated the back of the tractor on heavy duty ramps do move the fluid forward so I can extract one shaft and put in another.

Thanks. Your a big help. I will talk to the dealer about it. I've mostly been doing mowing in fairly tall grass, so it's possible that something could have gotten in there. I'll have a look.

I will also attach something to the transmission dipstick when I get a new one.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[SidecarFlip]

They hold a gob of fluid. My M's each hold 54 US Quarts or 13.5 gallons and I usually buy 3 5 gallon pails at a time because over the life of the fluid, I tend to loose some every time I connect and disconnect my externally actuated hydraulic implements so. Keeps the back end lubricated....

 

[hugo7432]

They hold a gob of fluid. My M's each hold 54 US Quarts or 13.5 gallons and I usually buy 3 5 gallon pails at a time because over the life of the fluid, I tend to loose some every time I connect and disconnect my externally actuated hydraulic implements so. Keeps the back end lubricated....

Yeah. I know. 60L in my case.

 

[SidecarFlip]

One thing about hydraulic fluid versus motor oil, hydraulic fluid washes off easily. Little pressure washer dance and all is good again.

 

[SidecarFlip]

63 quarts US measure 15.75 US Gallons or 3 pails and a quart or two in my case.

Not to say it's better or not but I don't use Kubota fluid, I use Chevron All weather Synthetic THC. I do use only Kubota filters. The Chevron is slightly more expensive (here) than Kubota fluid is but it gets real cold here and the Chevron seems to flow better cold than the Kubota fluid does. One of my M's does winter plowing and snowblowing while the other sleeps all winter.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Also interesting, my fill on both my M9's is above the upper link bracket on the gear case and I see yours is on the outer PTO cover. I like yours better. Mine is a PITA to fill.

I take it you don't have all the Tier 4 emissions junk domestic tractors have? I don't on mine, why I keep them. All mechanical, nothing electronic except the fuel cut solenoid.

 

[hugo7432]

Also interesting, my fill on both my M9's is above the upper link bracket on the gear case and I see yours is on the outer PTO cover. I like yours better. Mine is a PITA to fill.

I take it you don't have all the Tier 4 emissions junk domestic tractors have? I don't on mine, why I keep them. All mechanical, nothing electronic except the fuel cut solenoid.

Yeah. It was pretty easy to fill this morning. Unfortunately the dealer didn't have a dipstick. I'll have to wait.

No I don't have tier 4 emissions.

 

[hugo7432]

One thing about hydraulic fluid versus motor oil, hydraulic fluid washes off easily. Little pressure washer dance and all is good again.

Or a can of brake cleaner.

 

[GeoHorn]

Stick a golf-tee into the hole until you get a dipstick.