BX23S 50 hour service confusion

looch · May 8, 2018

Page 2-27 of the BX23S Workshop Manual shows the service intervals. Here's a snip:

Note the 2nd to last column which has "*1" in the first 5 rows. Here's a pic of the notes section at the bottom of the page:

Am I interpreting correctly that Kubota is advising against changing the oil, oil and trans filters, and trans fluid at the 50 hour mark?

EDIT: also the 1st point under "IMPORTANT" contradicts the *1 note

Dan33Klein · May 8, 2018

The *1 is just letting you know that 50 hrs is not part of the normal change cycle. You will want to do all of the above at 50hrs

JOHNTHOMAS · May 9, 2018

Do you have an owners manual? Look at the service guide in the owners manual. Unless something drastic has happened only the engine oil and engine oil filter is to be changed at 50 hours. Possibly the transmission filter but look at the owners manual!

Ford850 · May 9, 2018

Dan33Klein said:
The *1 is just letting you know that 50 hrs is not part of the normal change cycle. You will want to do all of the above at 50hrs

Exactly how I read it too. The 50 hour service is a 'one-off' and is not a continuing cycle.

looch · May 9, 2018

JOHNTHOMAS said:
Do you have an owners manual? Look at the service guide in the owners manual. Unless something drastic has happened only the engine oil and engine oil filter is to be changed at 50 hours. Possibly the transmission filter but look at the owners manual!

The owner's manual basically says the same thing, except trans fluid is not included in the 50 hour (nice discrepancy between manuals, Kubota!). I cannot figure out the logic of including a rather terse (bold-print) notice that says "The jobs indicated by 'double-circle' must be done after the first 50 hours of operation" and then adding a footnote *1 that says "The initial 50 hours should not be a replacement (change) cycle". To this guy, who speaks English, I interpret that as "You must change the oil after 50 hours, but don't change the oil if this is the 50 hour service."

Yes - I'm going to change the oil and filter. But inspired by the straightforward instructions in these manuals I am not.

looch · May 9, 2018

Ford850 said:
Exactly how I read it too. The 50 hour service is a 'one-off' and is not a continuing cycle.

If that was the intent, then to me it's a case of too much information as the chart already gives the service intervals - "every 200 Hr". The chart does not indicate to change the oil at 100 nor 150 - that's all I need to know.

Bosifus · May 9, 2018

Just bought a new BX23S and was wondering about that exact thing. Thanks to all for clearing it up!

George the Beagle · May 10, 2018

I pretty much read the same thing. So, when I bought my first BX, I changed the trans fluid at 50 hrs. The stuff I drained out looked as good as the stuff I put in. So, when I traded for my second BX, I didn't change the trans fluid at 50 hrs. I believe I followed the instructions in the owner's manual to a tea.

JOHNTHOMAS · May 10, 2018

George the Beagle said:
I pretty much read the same thing. So, when I bought my first BX, I changed the trans fluid at 50 hrs. The stuff I drained out looked as good as the stuff I put in. So, when I traded for my second BX, I didn't change the trans fluid at 50 hrs. I believe I followed the instructions in the owner's manual to a tea.

This has been an ongoing discussion for over 10 years. Back in the "old days" the trans filter and fluid was changed sooner along with the engine oil and filter but things change and tolerances get closer and products improve. It has been many years ago that the trans fluid was changed at 50. My current one year old L3901 says to change one of the trans fliters at 50 along with the engine oil and filter but not trans fluid. My F and BX and RTV which run from 7 years old to one year old do not recommend trans fluid change and some of them may possibly recommend the trans filter change but my one year old BX2370-1 does NOT. I contacted Kubota several years ago to clarify for me the correct interval and mentioned the ongoing debate on TBN and you can read for yourself the reply, if I can find the email.......Couldn't find it but the representative basically said those still promoting the 50 hr trans fluid change were full of crap and to follow owners manual.
I posted a Change your own fluids and filters on a BX post some years ago with pics and it probably has a copy of the email from Kubota Rep. Maybe search for it and comment to make it come back up to first page so others can see it.