Swapping attachments with hydraulic fluids? Any concerns?

[dbchaplin03]

Would there be any concerns about cross contamination of hydraulic fluids by using grapples between a Kubota tractor (M4/M5) and a Kubota skid steer (SVL 75-2).

What about between same tractor and a JCB skid steer?

I’m active duty military in Germany currently so I can’t just go to a local dealer to ask the questions and I appreciate all of the knowledge shared on here!

Preparing for retirement and moving back to our family farm and researching new equipment. Planning to start a part time business along with our small farm.

 

[mikester]

I would be less worried if I knew the history of the attachment ie. one owner who uses the same hydraulic fluids you do and doesn't abuse his/her equipment.

I wouldn't hook up without purging the attachment's lines thoroughly. You may be shocked by the condition of the fluid coming out.

Is a few minutes of indiscretion worth a lifetime of regret?

 

[npalen]

It would seem even more critical with a hydrostatic drive that shares body fluids with the hydraulic system.

 

[MHarryE]

I do it frequently sharing attachments between my L6060 and SVL75-2, particularly grapple. Dealer told me Kubota specifies no more than 10% mixing but how to determine that I have no clue. I have 3 different Kubota fluids that kept cross mixed due to implement interchange. The SVL75-2 uses AW46; the L6060 uses SUDT2, and the M7 uses a Kubota fluid unique to the M7 series - UDT-HD. My grapple has been on all 3, snowplow between the smaller units, and various farm implements between the tractors. It would be nice to have different implements for each but not practical. I have all Kubota and have the oil interchange with which to contend. Think of larger farmers who might have 3 or more different brands.

 

[Grandad4]

I do it frequently sharing attachments between my L6060 and SVL75-2, particularly grapple. Dealer told me Kubota specifies no more than 10% mixing but how to determine that I have no clue. I have 3 different Kubota fluids that kept cross mixed due to implement interchange. The SVL75-2 uses AW46; the L6060 uses SUDT2, and the M7 uses a Kubota fluid unique to the M7 series - UDT-HD. My grapple has been on all 3, snowplow between the smaller units, and various farm implements between the tractors. It would be nice to have different implements for each but not practical. I have all Kubota and have the oil interchange with which to contend. Think of larger farmers who might have 3 or more different brands.

It would seem even more critical with a hydrostatic drive that shares body fluids with the hydraulic system.

Agreed. The farmers I knew would often use equipment on loan from their co-op or a neighbor and didn't worry much about fluid contaminations. Not many hydrostats out in those fields though. I would not do that with my HST tractor.

 

[BeezFun]

I share equipment with a neighbor. When I hook up an implement I attach the high pressure side and put the return line in a 5 gal pail and operate the valve until I either see a change in fluid color or estimate the right amount of fluid has been purged. Some implements like a post pounder go right to tank so you won't need an adapter on the end of the return line. Other implements use a quick disconnect. I made a stub quick disconnect that just has a short length of hose attached, I use that to drain the return line.

 

[dbchaplin03]

This was my thoughts exactly. I’ll most likely buy new unless I find a deal I can’t pass up when the time comes. Same with most of the attachments.

I used to do the same thing with my HST tractors. Sold my L6060 when we got orders to Germany I bled all the fluid from the lines before connecting.

Thanks everyone!

 

[ovrszd]

This was my thoughts exactly. I’ll most likely buy new unless I find a deal I can’t pass up when the time comes. Same with most of the attachments.

I used to do the same thing with my HST tractors. Sold my L6060 when we got orders to Germany I bled all the fluid from the lines before connecting.

Thanks everyone!

It's inevitable that you will cross contaminate your fluids.

As for buying new. The first time you hook up you will push any contaminate in the new hoses and cylinders into your tractor's system.

 

[Smokeydog]

I’ve seen them make hoses at a couple different places. Cut the hose with an abrasive saw, insert the ends and crimp. I now blow out new hoses before installing.

I have not let some neighbors borrow some attachments because of questionable maintenance and fluid contamination. Flushing out not easy or cheap. Wasn’t so particular with the old gear tractors as with the newer HST models and fancier hydraulic equipment.

 

[aclarke]

Came here to research this same question and hopefully this thread isn't too old to resurrect. I just bought 2T small farm dump trailer. Have a Kubota L3130 (FST) and John Deere 1025R (HST) and I'd really like to be able to use the trailer between both tractors.

I'm always a little suspicious of the "don't mix fluids" voodoo the dealers give, because they want to sell you their overpriced green or orange fluid. But maybe I'm being naïve. I could clean out the hoses between switching tractors, but with multiple operators as well I can't guarantee that would always happen. Seems like my options are:

1. Don't worry about it. I at least know the maintenance on both tractors.
2. Use the same hydraulic fluid on both tractors. Not sure if I can do that or not.
3. Buy a battery pack, self-contained system.
4. Only ever use one tractor.
5. Always flush when switching tractors.

Clearly #1 is the easiest choice, at least until I potentially damage something. Am I safe to do this? It's hard to find knowledge that is based on science and experience, not just what the manual says.

 

[number two]

Hmm?
Your current fluid may meet both specs?
Surely,your JD HST fluid should suffice for your gear Kubota.
What's in the L3130 now?

Good Luck!

 

[aclarke]

Thanks for your response. I'm not sure about fluid specs, as companies tend to conflate marketing claims with specs. The John Deere 1025R is fairly new so I've only done one transmission fluid change on it so far. I was in a hurry so didn't research options and just spent the $$$ on John Deere Hy-Gard oil so that's what's in the Deere. John Deere seems very careful to avoid any statements about what Hy-Gard actually is, preferring to make us think it's made with magic pixie dust from fairies who only work for John Deere.

The Kubota is due for a hydraulic filter change and top up. I don't remember what went in there last time, but this time my wife bought a 20L pail of Premium UDT and that's what's about to go in there.

I did find https://jdparts.deere.com/partsmkt/unsecured/document/english/featbene/hygardsalesbrochure.pdf which states that according to John Deere, Hygard can be used where UDT is specified. So presumably both tractors could use either Hygard or Super UDT just fine. Not sure whether it's OK to mix them (I'd tend to think yes but I'm not a chemical engineer) but I suppose I could flush the Deere and put Super UDT in that too.

Thoughts from anyone knowledgeable on having those two oils in the separate tractors, mixing through the shared trailer, vs. flushing the Deere and putting Kubota Premium UDT in that?

 

[LouNY]

As far as I'm concerned worrying about fluid differences on any tractor or skidsteer using decent quality fluids is a waste of time.
My implements are swapped between 3-5 tractors and a skidsteer. On the farm about 6 tractors for the larger implements and about 8 for the smaller stuff and often the smaller stuff gets used on the larger tractors.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

We run two skid steers, have two more in the loop. Few tractors too. Swap implements profusely with reckless abandon. We have grapple, bush hod, mulcher for each. Plus hydraulic post diggers. We have a 75 and 95 Kubota. 95 is a first year def and has been a Moe natcheral nightmarish costly experience. Costly because it has been in the shop so long and we still get the bill but we can't use it. It's 97 miles to the shop.

 

[aclarke]

That's in like with what I'd LIKE to hear at least and makes sense to me, if the two fluids are compatible.

 

[SDT]

Would there be any concerns about cross contamination of hydraulic fluids by using grapples between a Kubota tractor (M4/M5) and a Kubota skid steer (SVL 75-2).

What about between same tractor and a JCB skid steer?

I’m active duty military in Germany currently so I can’t just go to a local dealer to ask the questions and I appreciate all of the knowledge shared on here!

Preparing for retirement and moving back to our family farm and researching new equipment. Planning to start a part time business along with our small farm.

I NEVER loan or borrow implements, and oil contamination is one of the reasons.

SDT

 

[aclarke]

True, but in my case at least it's my own tractors and my own equipment.

 

[Fallon]

I'd worry more about contaminated oil due to water or metal than oil from different manufacturers. One of the main reasons I don't rent impliments or rent out my gear. I wouldn't wory to much about swapping impliments between multiple machines if I knew they were well maintained.

 

[2manyrocks]

I just installed remote hydraulic outlets and haven't had any prior experience with using them.

How do you keep dirt out of the connections?

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I just installed remote hydraulic outlets and haven't had any prior experience with using them.

How do you keep dirt out of the connections?

Keep the caps on them.