400 hr. Hydro Oil Change Advice???

[nickmags]

The Super UDT in my L4701DT (shuttle shift) looks like brand new. Can I just replace the filter and what oil is lost with that, rather than all 10 gallons of liquid gold super UDT2 without damaging anything? Retired on fixed income. SuperUDT2 is crazy expensive for 10 gallons. ($235+ for 5 gallon bucket) On the other side, I don't want to damage anything. Just seems an unnecessary expense. Please, no lectures on " as little as you use it, okay" I know that one. Constructive advice!

 

[oldnslo]

Do you know if the oil has ever gotten real hot vs normal operating temperature? If never been hot and no water intrusion I would be less concerned about changing the oil since heat and moisture are what kills oil.

Other considerations is how is this used. Occasionally worked hard or worked hard for hours every day. Again hard for hours everyday day I would consider changing fluid but occasionally would be less likely to change fluid.

Bottom line is what does your gut instinct say vs the wallet.

 

[nickmags]

Do you know if the oil has ever gotten real hot vs normal operating temperature? If never been hot and no water intrusion I would be less concerned about changing the oil since heat and moisture are what kills oil.

Other considerations is how is this used. Occasionally worked hard or worked hard for hours every day. Again hard for hours everyday day I would consider changing fluid but occasionally would be less likely to change fluid.

Bottom line is what does your gut instinct say vs the wallet.

 

[nickmags]

Hydro has never gotten hot. Tractor seldom gets more than an hour of work at any given instance. Hand testing line and actuators, warm after use but nowhere near hot, let alone overheated.

 

[ptsg]

I would run it, as long as there is no water contaminants. I'm at 500 hour on the fluid of my tractor and won't plan changing until 600 or 700 hours.

When I changed my hydraulic filter at 300 hours, I drained everything out, then changed the filter and put it back in but used a really fine mesh material on the filter so it went back in somewhat filtered.

 

[RjCorazza]

If the hydro oil was not changed at the 50h interval, I would change it now at 400h.
I changed my current Kubota hydro oil at 400h, and 1200h. My previous Kubota got a 50h change, then every 800h. The last hydro oil change I experimented with 3x the interval with sub micron filtration, and I noticed performance issues and noise.

Extending intervals is certainly doable depending on a variety of factors, but you can't go wrong with following the manufacturers recommendations.

 

[5030]

With hydraulic fluid, looks can be deceiving. It might look fine and be clear but it's the additive package in it that gets depleted and necessitates a change.

I don't run SUDT in either of my Kubota's for a couple reasons, mainly the difficulty of actually determining the correct level of it as it's hard to see on a dipstick or even in a sight glass (both mine have dipsticks). I run Chevron THF synthetic fluid. It's a bout the same prices as SUDT, meets and exceeds the Kubota specs for SUDT but has one big positive aspect and that is, it comes pre dyed orange of all things so it's easy to see on a dipstick or in a sight glass. I use 85-140 in the front axles however, not hydraulic fluid.

 

[nickmags]

If the hydro oil was not changed at the 50h interval, I would change it now at 400h.
I changed my current Kubota hydro oil at 400h, and 1200h. My previous Kubota got a 50h change, then every 800h. The last hydro oil change I experimented with 3x the interval with sub micron filtration, and I noticed performance issues and noise.

Extending intervals is certainly doable depending on a variety of factors, but you can't go wrong with following the manufacturers recommendations.

My manual only calls for 50 hour hydro change on HST models. DT shuttle shift first change is at 400 hrs. My thought was change the filter at 400, then filter and oil at 800 or sooner if I noticed oil getting dark. Again I don't want to do damage, but nearly $600 for an oil change is excessively hard on my budget.

 

[JJT]

My advice - bite the bullet and change the oil and filters. Hydro oil will never get dark unless something catastrophic happens. As previously stated, the additive package has a finite lifespan. I'm sure you could get another 100 hours out of it, but why not follow the Kubota maintenance schedule? Their engineers are smarter than the average user.

 

[Captain Dirty]

To say again: Spend around $30 for an analysis by a reputable lab. (I use Blackstone Labs, have no relationship other than paying their fees.) Follow their advice for long fluid (and equipment) life and for peace of mind. See https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/kubota-l45-hydraulic-fluid-maintenance.419912/

 

[nickmags]

To say again: Spend around $30 for an analysis by a reputable lab. (I use Blackstone, have no relationship other than paying their fee). Follow their advice for long fluid (and equipment) life and for peace of mind. See https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/kubota-l45-hydraulic-fluid-maintenance.419912/

Thanks for that link. Do you happen to have one for blackstone? Seriously looking at doing oil analysis.

 

[mjonesnh]

Just looked at Messicks, SUDT2 in 5 gallon buckets is 140.00. Not sure what shipping would be. Maybe price it again at another Kubota dealer. Is it possible price you were given was for the whole 10 gallon and not per bucket?

 

[nybirdman]

My dealer changed just the filter at 50hrs,after that follow the book.
I also add JD hydraulic dye,makes it easier to see.Make sure you tell anyone servicing your unit that you added the dye.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Do you happen to have one [link] for blackstone?

Blackstone Laboratories, LLC www.blackstone-labs.com
I edited my post to include "Labs" so others do not have to read Google pages of investment companies, towns, etc.

 

[dodge man]

I think mine calls for 200 hour changes but it’s a hydrostat. Mine also looked really clean on the dipstick but when I drained it there was some wear particles in it and the fluid looked like it needed changed.

 

[5030]

My manual only calls for 50 hour hydro change on HST models. DT shuttle shift first change is at 400 hrs. My thought was change the filter at 400, then filter and oil at 800 or sooner if I noticed oil getting dark. Again I don't want to do damage, but nearly $600 for an oil change is excessively hard on my budget.

The oil will NEVER get dark in a hydrostat or in a gear drive unit either. What causes oil to get dark is the byproducts of combustion which only applies to an internal combustion engine, not a transmission. Again, what goes 'bye bye' is the additive package. If you really want to know if the fluid is shot or not, send a sample of it into an outfit that does spectro analysis. They will tell you right away with a data sheet.

Only other shot fluid scenario would be contaminated with water and then it will be milky.

600 bucks for a fluid change for me is chump change. I have 2 large Kubota's and each one takes 15 gallons each.

 

[RjCorazza]

My manual only calls for 50 hour hydro change on HST models. DT shuttle shift first change is at 400 hrs. My thought was change the filter at 400, then filter and oil at 800 or sooner if I noticed oil getting dark. Again I don't want to do damage, but nearly $600 for an oil change is excessively hard on my budget.

My point was that the first oil change interval is important, as there will be more wear material in the oil. Whether 50 or 400 hours I would not consider extending the first one !

 

[number two]

Get a better price on SUDT2,like about $150/pail.and change per the guidelines!
Good Luck!

 

[TMGT]

Just priced SUDT2 at my dealer today, $128 for 5gal, we are not in the lowest cost area either.

 

[nickmags]

My point was that the first oil change interval is important, as there will be more wear material in the oil. Whether 50 or 400 hours I would not consider extending the first one !

Good point! Had not looked at it from that angle. I also like the idea of oil sample testing, thanks guys. There is another Kubota dealer in the area, will price oil and filter from them, with any luck, they will be cheaper. They are a little further away, but not too far to go get parts/oil.