Oil & Fuel So Valvoline produces ALL of Kubota lubricants...

[5030]

Found out that Valvoline produces 100% of all Kubota branded fluids.

Think I need to check out Valvoline's synthetic hydraulic AW42 fluid. I bet it's cheaper than the Kubota pail. In fact, I know it is. I use Kubota filters but with lubricants it's either Shell or Chevron.

 

[SDT]

Found out that Valvoline produces 100% of all Kubota branded fluids.

Think I need to check out Valvoline's synthetic hydraulic AW42 fluid. I bet it's cheaper than the Kubota pail. In fact, I know it is. I use Kubota filters but with lubricants it's either Shell or Chevron.

I've known that for years.

That said, suppliers produce lubricants to customer specifications. Who knows what the Kubota specifications say.

My local Kubota dealer has SUDT2, UDT2, and two other lower cost Kubota lubricants. Can't remember, but the number 42 rings a bell.

SDT

 

[5030]

I've known that for years.

That said, suppliers produce lubricants to customer specifications. Who knows what the Kubota specifications say.

My local Kubota dealer has SUDT2, UDT2, and two other lower cost Kubota lubricants. Can't remember, but the number 42 rings a bell.

SDT

I didn't until recently. That being said I wonder who makes their filters. I believe Donaldson will cross on Kubota air filters but the rest, I don't know. I always use Kubota filters anyway, Price difference between them and say Baldwin is not much.

One thing I did find interesting on Valvoline AW 42 synthetic hydraulic fluid is, if you look at the data sheet (which is a downloadable PDF file), there in no Kubota certification on it.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I didn't until recently. That being said I wonder who makes their filters. I believe Donaldson will cross on Kubota air filters but the rest, I don't know. I always use Kubota filters anyway, Price difference between them and say Baldwin is not much.

One thing I did find interesting on Valvoline AW 42 synthetic hydraulic fluid is, if you look at the data sheet (which is a downloadable PDF file), there in no Kubota certification on it.

I no expert by far. You better be pretty careful I think. As far as I know AW 42 hydraulic fluid is not made for service in anything like a transmission. It is for hydraulic circuits only.

gg

 

[MHarryE]

I no expert by far. You better be pretty careful I think. As far as I know AW 42 hydraulic fluid is not made for service in anything like a transmission. It is for hydraulic circuits only.

gg

Kubota specifies AW42 in construction equipment. Typically industrial hydraulic fluids aren’t specified for mobile equipment but for some reason Kubota does. They specify mobile hydraulic fluid for all ag including RTVs, mowers, etc.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Kubota specifies AW42 in construction equipment. Typically industrial hydraulic fluids aren’t specified for mobile equipment but for some reason Kubota does. They specify mobile hydraulic fluid for all ag including RTVs, mowers, etc.

Thank you Harry. I didn't realize that.

gg

 

[RickB]

Actually the Kubota Construction recommendation is for AW32 or AW46 depending on ambient temperatures. These oils are not recommended for Kubota tractors, mowers or RTVs.

 

[5030]

I no expert by far. You better be pretty careful I think. As far as I know AW 42 hydraulic fluid is not made for service in anything like a transmission. It is for hydraulic circuits only.

gg

Kind of a non issue with me anyway. I've been using Kubota filters but I use Chevron All Weather THC synthetic fluid or Rotella Hydraulic fluid in both my M's. Both are Kubota certified. I prefer the Chevron over the Shell because I get it from my jobber in 55 gallon drums whereas the Rotella is only available in 5's. I have a 54 quart change on each tractor btw. Pulling the drain plug is like tapping an oil well.

Both fluids perform very well but the Chevron does a bit better in cold weather plus the Chevron is orange whereas the Valvoline (Kubota) is clear as is the Rotella. The orange color of the Chevron makes determining oil lever easier on the dipsticks.

The M9 with the Rotella is parked all winter (don't use it) while the Chevron tractor does snow removal duty.

 

[5030]

It's my contention that the only time hydraulic fluids become really critical is in a Hydrostat drive. If I was running a hydrostat anyhting, I'd use the OEM specified fluid, whatever that would be. The only exception would be no 303 spec fluid in anything. 303 series fluids are obsolete and contain no seal preservatives or anti wear additives. Obsolete but places like TSC still sell them. TSC branded cheap fluid is 303 series. You get what you pay for.

 

[Grumpycat]

Found out that Valvoline produces 100% of all Kubota branded fluids.

Think I need to check out Valvoline's synthetic hydraulic AW42 fluid. I bet it's cheaper than the Kubota pail. In fact, I know it is. I use Kubota filters but with lubricants it's either Shell or Chevron.

Is not safe to say Valvoline branded products are same as Kubota branded no matter Valvoline manufactured. But it is reasonable to believe a Valvoline product advertised to meet Kubota specs should be satisfactory especially considering as how Valvoline should know any secret requirements of Kubota.

 

[Gordon Gould]

OK - just so I can get this straight and learn something here - are you using this like you would use a Tractor/Hydraulic Fluid in a common reservoir for both transmission (geared from your comment) and hydraulics or does your equipment have separate tanks for the transmission and hydraulics and this for hydraulics only ?? Thanks

gg

 

[Fallon]

OK - just so I can get this straight and learn something here - are you using this like you would use a Tractor/Hydraulic Fluid in a common reservoir for both transmission (geared from your comment) and hydraulics or does your equipment have separate tanks for the transmission and hydraulics and this for hydraulics only ?? Thanks

gg

Very few modern tractors separate tranny fluid from hydraulic fluid & no CUTs I'm aware of. I'm aware of some backhoes that had separate sumps at one point.

Some heavy equipment, I want to say some Cat skidsteers, maybe backhoes or something actually specified using engine oil in their hydraulic system rather than a hydraulic oil. So in some cases fluid choice is less critical than people worry over. I have a HST machine & those tend to be a lot more sensitive to fluid type. So I stick with the OEM SUDT2, especially as I plow snow with mine & also run it in 100 degree temps.

 

[5030]

My only point of differentiation in the whole scheme of things is the front axles of my FWA tractors, they both get 85-90 GL5 gear oil.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Man I am sorry but I guess I am really slow because I can't find a straight answer to my question. Do I hear you guys saying that using Hydraulic Oil in a tractor transmission instead of Oil speciallyn formulated for wet brakes and heavy gear pressure is fine ????

gg

 

[RickB]

It's my contention that the only time hydraulic fluids become really critical is in a Hydrostat drive. If I was running a hydrostat anyhting, I'd use the OEM specified fluid, whatever that would be. The only exception would be no 303 spec fluid in anything. 303 series fluids are obsolete and contain no seal preservatives or anti wear additives. Obsolete but places like TSC still sell them. TSC branded cheap fluid is 303 series. You get what you pay for.

Hydraulic oil specs become important in systems with wet clutches and wet brakes. Friction modifiers and compatibility with organic and inorganic linings become very important very quickly.

 

[Fallon]

Man I am sorry but I guess I am really slow because I can't find a straight answer to my question. Do I hear you guys saying that using Hydraulic Oil in a tractor transmission instead of Oil speciallyn formulated for wet brakes and heavy gear pressure is fine ????

gg

That would depend on the tractor. An old machine with dry brakes & clutch obviously doesnt have that compatibility issue. Heck poor quality modern fluid will be better that top shelf oils of a few decades back. A modern machine with wet brakes or clutch requires a fluid designed for those clutch/brake pads. The always applicable rule: follow what's listed in the owners manual. There may be better options, but stuff meeting or exceeding OEM specs will get you to the expected lifespan of the machine most of the time.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I did some research right after i bought my BX. NO other brand cites compatibility with Kubota hydrostats. I found then that Valvoline was their contracted supplier. They will not discuss the product or their relationship with Kubota except one sorta candid guy said they cannot discuss proprietary contract branding arrangements but that there is not much difference. I use a NAPA product that does have compliance with Kubota UDT. Over time (1500 hours) I have not been able to detect any difference in performance or the whine others describe. I have used SUDT@ a couple times as a test to determine that.

Ron

 

[5030]

I did some research right after i bought my BX. NO other brand cites compatibility with Kubota hydrostats. I found then that Valvoline was their contracted supplier. They will not discuss the product or their relationship with Kubota except one sorta candid guy said they cannot discuss proprietary contract branding arrangements but that there is not much difference. I use a NAPA product that does have compliance with Kubota UDT. Over time (1500 hours) I have not been able to detect any difference in performance or the whine others describe. I have used SUDT@ a couple times as a test to determine that.

Ron

My philosophy exactly. I use either Chevron All weather THC Synthetic or Rotella AW 42 depending on availability. Both are Kubota certified substitutes (states that right on the pail). At 3500 and 2200 hours respectively on each tractor, I'd say my fluid choices are just fine.

 

[RickB]

My philosophy exactly. I use either Chevron All weather THC Synthetic or Rotella AW 42 depending on availability. Both are Kubota certified substitutes (states that right on the pail). At 3500 and 2200 hours respectively on each tractor, I'd say my fluid choices are just fine.

I hope you mean that Chevron and Shell are certifying the oils are substitutes for Kubota oils. Because it doesn’t really read that way and Kubota certainly isn’t endorsing competitive oils.

 

[rScotty]

Found out that Valvoline produces 100% of all Kubota branded fluids.

How do you know that?
rScotty