50 Hour Service Experience

[motocephalic]

I finally serviced my new L3200 for the 50 hour required components. The oil change was straight forward, although it would have done me justice to let the oil warm a bit as instructed by the boss. The DT manual tranny only requires a hydraulic filter change, so that is what I did, albeit some fluid leaked out as I was changing it, but I was able to pull it off at about a 3 qt loss. I also changed out the fuel line filter(not on schedule), it needed it, pinched the line as instructed by service and reused the 2 "O" rings. The little one was a bear to remove though. I greased all the fitting as per the manual guide, 12 on the loader, 4 on the hind end, 2 on the front pivot bearing, 4 on the tie rods, I think I got them all, but will recheck once again. Did a tire pressure check, (they were all very low) I would say it took about 2.5 hours taking my time, but well worth getting more familiar with my tractor. Noticed that the Hydraulic hoses wore the paint off on the right side, have to look into getting that off the hood. Can't wait too get it back into plowing again when the weather gets colder. I use my tractor more than I use my truck now, but it sure is fun.

 

[Bluegill2]

Cool! I've always enjoyed taking care of my own stuff... Nice rig ya have there!

 

[The Fred]

The 50 hour service is very important. Here's my engine oil filter at 52 hrs. notice the metal specs at the bottom of the pleats.

Sorry for the blurry picture, Fred

 

[motocephalic]

I am sure it had metal in it as well, but I did not cut it apart as I have done for motorcycles in the past. The oil was black though, and it took me 1 year to get the first 50 hours since I was only using it when I was in town. I will use it much more now that I am at it full time.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I finally serviced my new L3200 for the 50 hour required components. The oil change was straight forward, although it would have done me justice to let the oil warm a bit as instructed by the boss. The DT manual tranny only requires a hydraulic filter change, so that is what I did, albeit some fluid leaked out as I was changing it, but I was able to pull it off at about a 3 qt loss. I also changed out the fuel line filter(not on schedule), it needed it, pinched the line as instructed by service and reused the 2 "O" rings. The little one was a bear to remove though. I greased all the fitting as per the manual guide, 12 on the loader, 4 on the hind end, 2 on the front pivot bearing, 4 on the tie rods, I think I got them all, but will recheck once again. Did a tire pressure check, (they were all very low) I would say it took about 2.5 hours taking my time, but well worth getting more familiar with my tractor. Noticed that the Hydraulic hoses wore the paint off on the right side, have to look into getting that off the hood. Can't wait too get it back into plowing again when the weather gets colder. I use my tractor more than I use my truck now, but it sure is fun.

View attachment 354963

Had a hose that was hitting the lift arm and before I noticed it had worn a hole in the hyd line. Barlows gave me some sleeves to put over the hose but I had already changed it so sleeves are around here some where and that tractor has been traded off. A turn of the fitting or zip ties can make a modest move which is usually all that is necessary but well worth doing.

 

[AStanton]

Someone in this room showed a pic how the loader stand on their tractor rubbed a cut into their hydraulic lines. I checked my lines for damage, then removed the stand on my B3030. If I ever plan on removing the loader, I will then remount the stand.

 

[smitesmash]

SO as my tractor is going to arrive this week (pictures on delivery)

I understand that the 50 hour service is mandatory to keep the warrantee valid.
Given that where I live, getting the tractor to and from a dealer would cost quite a bit, not including the cost of renting a trailer to haul it. For the mechanically inclined, is this something that can be done and documented as being done by my, or does this require a dealer to do.

The cost of getting the truck/trailer on the ferry to start with is $40 per direction. Or ~$160 before time, fuel, and (if required) trailer rental.

 

[motocephalic]

This is easily done at your place with a little mech ability. As far as documentation, I am not sure what is required for proof. I am 60 miles one way from the dealer, so doing my own was the only way for me. They provided the materials for my DT transmission, which is much less costly than the HST tranny, as the hydro fluid must be changed on that. If I had them do it, I would have to pay the cost of materials, but they would do it for free. I'm not sure of the cost, but the filters are about 15.00 eachX3, oil 6qts, hydro4qts, grease/gun, pans, maybe $120.00 total or near that. I plan on doing all the maintenance for the life of the tractor.

 

[bp fick]

You don't have to take it to the dealer. Beside the transport headache, it is very expensive. Not a problem for everyone, but for me? No way.

Doing the service yourself really saves money. The oils and filters are affordable and since you sound like a person who wants to cross every warranty "t" and dot every "i", just use the supplies purchased at a Kubota dealer. Branded products. Save the receipt. It's that simple. Doing it yourself is very satisfying and really helps you get familiar with your tractor. I highly recommend it. We can walk you right through the procedures. It's isn't rocket science.

 

[DarkBlack]

The 50 hour service is very important. Here's my oil filter at 52 hrs. notice the metal specs at the bottom of the pleats.

Sorry for the blurry picture, Fred

Personally, I wouldn't call those metal specs. Those are slivers to small chips.

 

[The Fred]

Personally, I wouldn't call those metal specs. Those are slivers to small chips.

True, of course I snapped a photo of the worst part but a check of the new oil filter after another 4 hours of run time showed nothing. I would say those shavings are break in and engine assembly related. Also the magnet on my hydro or hydraulic filter (can't remember which one) was full of metal. I saved it for later dissection.

Fred

 

[motocephalic]

My hydro filter had metal on it, I'll try and retrieve it and get some shots of it.

 

[s219]

They provided the materials for my DT transmission, which is much less costly than the HST tranny, as the hydro fluid must be changed on that.

I ordered the 50 hr materials/supplies for my L3200 HST a couple weeks ago, and don't recall seeing a hydraulic fluid change as part of the 50 hour service. You do have to change the HST and hydraulic filters, which will result in the loss of some fluid, but it simply needs to be topped off afterwards.

When I did the 50 hr service on my B2920 with HST, I only lost about 1/2 quart of fluid. Parking sideways on a hill and working fast helped. Have not studied the L3200 filter arrangement yet.

 

[motocephalic]

Yes you are correct, When you remove the hydraulic filter, you lose maybe 2 quarts or so, even when you do it quickly. So replacing the loss of hydraulic fluid is in order. There was lots of metal on the magnet when I removed the filter it appeared. I was not that smart in doing it on a hill, but will try that trick next time I change the filter only.

I ordered the 50 hr materials/supplies for my L3200 HST a couple weeks ago, and don't recall seeing a hydraulic fluid change as part of the 50 hour service. You do have to change the HST and hydraulic filters, which will result in the loss of some fluid, but it simply needs to be topped off afterwards.

When I did the 50 hr service on my B2920 with HST, I only lost about 1/2 quart of fluid. Parking sideways on a hill and working fast helped. Have not studied the L3200 filter arrangement yet.

 

[chim]

Fortunately I read about the vacuum cleaner trick before doing the 50 hour service and it worked pretty well - vac slurped most of the fluid back and didn't lose much at all.

 

[dragoneggs]

Fortunately I read about the vacuum cleaner trick before doing the 50 hour service and it worked pretty well - vac slurped most of the fluid back and didn't lose much at all.

Yeah, cool idea and will use it next time!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

SO as my tractor is going to arrive this week (pictures on delivery)

I understand that the 50 hour service is mandatory to keep the warrantee valid.
Given that where I live, getting the tractor to and from a dealer would cost quite a bit, not including the cost of renting a trailer to haul it. For the mechanically inclined, is this something that can be done and documented as being done by my, or does this require a dealer to do.

The cost of getting the truck/trailer on the ferry to start with is $40 per direction. Or ~$160 before time, fuel, and (if required) trailer rental.

I ordered the 50 hr materials/supplies for my L3200 HST a couple weeks ago, and don't recall seeing a hydraulic fluid change as part of the 50 hour service. You do have to change the HST and hydraulic filters, which will result in the loss of some fluid, but it simply needs to be topped off afterwards.

When I did the 50 hr service on my B2920 with HST, I only lost about 1/2 quart of fluid. Parking sideways on a hill and working fast helped. Have not studied the L3200 filter arrangement yet.

More detailed info on the change.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/167108-do-your-own-fluids-filters-28.html

 

[Recoveryhill]

I ordered the 50 hr materials/supplies for my L3200 HST a couple weeks ago, and don't recall seeing a hydraulic fluid change as part of the 50 hour service.

The old spec was to change hydraulic fluid at 50 hours. This changed a few years ago to filters only at 50 hours and fluid at 400/450, I don't recall which. It's in the owner's manual. Some dump the fluid at 50, some don't. Those that do are motivated I think by the amount of metal on the magnetic ring in the filter.

 

[motocephalic]

The new manual says filter only, but in the process, you spill some fluid, and like me, sometimes more than others. It took me 3 qts because I did not want to cross thread the spin on filter, and made sure of that. All the while, hydro fluid is gushing like a river.