Kubota BX1880, BX2380, BX2680 Front Axle Case Oil Change

BX1880 / BX2380 / BX2680 Owner Service Guide

The front axle case holds the front differential and the bevel gears that drive each front wheel. Its oil is separate from the transmission fluid and is changed every 400 hours. The case has a drain plug and a breather plug on each side and an oil gauge with a dipstick in the center.

Either Super UDT-2 or 80W-90 gear oil is approved. Do not mix the two; if you switch from one to the other, drain the case completely. Four quarts covers a full change.

For more on choosing front axle oil, see our video:

Draining the oil

1. Park on firm, flat, level ground with the front wheels pointed straight ahead. The axle must be level side to side for both sides to drain fully and for the dipstick to read correctly.
2. Clean around the plugs and the oil gauge so dirt does not fall into the case.
3. Place a drain pan under each side of the front axle. The drain plugs are at the bottom of the gear cases at each wheel.
4. Remove the right and left drain plugs and the oil gauge in the center of the axle. Removing the gauge vents the case so it drains faster.
5. Let the oil drain completely. Look at the oil and at the drain plugs. Metal flakes or a milky color (water) are signs of a problem that should be looked at.
6. Clean the drain plugs and reinstall them.

Filling and checking the level

1. Remove the right and left breather plugs at the top of the gear cases. This lets air out so the oil can flow to both ends of the axle.
2. Fill with new oil through the oil gauge hole until the level reaches the upper notch on the dipstick. Add it slowly; the oil takes time to run out to the gear cases.
3. Wait 10 minutes, then check the level again with the dipstick. Add oil to bring it back to the upper notch.
4. Reinstall the oil gauge and the breather plugs. Tighten the breather plugs to 16 to 18 ft-lbs.
5. Take the used oil to a recycling center or a shop that accepts used oil.

Between changes, check the level with the dipstick when you grease the tractor, and look for seepage at the axle seals. A seal leak at the wheel side shows up as oil on the inside of the front rim.

Our front axle service video covers the job on a compact tractor:

Parts

Parts catalogs: BX1880, BX2380, BX2680.

Related

• Transmission fluid change and strainer cleaning
• Front axle pivot adjustment
• Toe-in check and adjustment
• BX Owner Service Guide

To have the service done at Messick's, schedule service.