I did the trans fluid in my 5240 a couple months ago and the book was similar to yours, around 12 gallons (I can't remember the exact amount). I think it used a little over 10 gallons. If you bought two of the 5 gallon buckets it would get you very close and might only need another gallon or less.
Well, mine turned out to use more. And after much wallet-searching I did go get the SUDT2. BTW, buying SUDT2 in the form of a case of quarts is almost 25% less expensive than buying it in larger containers. Easier to handle too. Unsettlingly, the oil in the quarts was very transparent and colorless where the same SUDT2 oil bought at the same time but in the form of a box of 2.5 gallon SUDT2 containers had a very slight amber hue. Not much, but enough to notice. The 2.5 gallon oil bubbled more when being poured in as well. That was more obvious than the color difference. Wonder why??
My original
M59 operator's manual said the hydraulic capacity was 12.2 gallons..., so figuring there must be some oil left in the cylinders I only bought 10.5 gallons of SUDT2. That mistake marked the first of consecuative visits to my friendly Kubota dealer. After having found and drained via all three drain plugs just as the manual shows, and with the 3 new filters, the refill quantity required finally turned out to be exactly 12.2 gallons to the upper mark on the dipstick.....just as the manual said. That's measured with the dipstick fully inserted and with the loader down, bucket curled, and the backhoe in transport positon.
Hint 1: The SUDT2 is a nearly colorless clear oil, and heat-coloring the dipstick last time I did this chore sure has made it easier to tell the level.
Hint 2: Getting those filters on & off with a strap wrench is a terrible challenge. It's notat all as easy as replacing the engine oil filter. Next time we will take the time to prepare in advance by getting the proper oil filter socket for the two hydraulic filters and the proper spanner to fit the slots in the transmission filter.
And finally....is there an observable difference after going to the new - and more expensive oils?
From 15w-40 Rotella T to Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel in the engine....and New Holland Multi G 134 trans/hydo to Kubota SUDT2?
Well, honestly I can't tell any audible or operating difference so far. I changed mainly because the new oils are rated as being better for cold weather starts. Winter temps here can easily hit -20F and sometimes colder. And those are times when you really need a tractor....and a cab! @#$! Anyway, we'll know more when cold weather happens.
Other filters: I pre-filter the fuel, and don't use the bottom of the fuel container, so there has been no reason to ever change the
M59 fuel filter. I did it one at 500 hourts but it looked new. And it still looks fine.
Conversely, the outer air filter quickly becomes colored black from exhaust fumes. Apparently that's because the air intake is only a couple of feet from the exhaust pipe.....making me wonder if that was intentional? Anyway, it makes interpreting the state of the outer air filter by color quite difficult.
As always, we remember that Good Luck beats Good Planning....
luck to you, rScotty
