Oil & Fuel Engine Oil for BX2350

[klrobert]

I am enjoying my new Kubota, although we haven't had any rain for quite some time, so not much mowing to be done. I am not there yet, but getting closer to the 50 hr service. I don't want to open a can of worms here, but would just like to know how many people use the Kubota brand motor oil. I am sure it is more expensive than other brands, but no more than I run one, probably one or two oil changes per year will be all that is required. If it is just a few dollars more for an oil change, wouldn't this be cheap insurance? I am not saying it is better, but if Kubota puts their name on it, I feel it is formulated for their engines. I may be totally wrong here, but at least it won't be the first time.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I used Rotella in my BX2200 after the warranty period was over. Will probably do the same with the new tractor. That said, I did that because of the warranty only.. I preferred the Rotella. Cheaper at Sams Club....

 

[art]

It is a good time to draw caution! Most diesel oils for tractors is more expensive to make then for trucks and cars! When you mow your lawn it's normally at or near full throttle same as the farm tractors out in the field not at 1/4 or 1/2 throttle like trucks and cars.

For a dollar or two a change it is cheaper to buy the better oil. We've seen plenty of engine failures and you can tell the difference!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

It does not have to be Kubota, just make sure its an off-road grade oil. Not whatever wal-mart special is on the end cap for $0.99/qt.

 

[nh DRAGON]

I use the Rotella in mine as well as the five loaders and three bulldozers and the backhoes and the big trucks and.......... It is good stuff...

 

[frank_miller]

I use Amsoil Diesel oils and no worries...

 

[Mustangous]

For a dollar or two a change it is cheaper to buy the better oil. We've seen plenty of engine failures and you can tell the difference!

It is not a dollar to two more, way more. Kubotas oil is someones oil with their name one it. The diesel engine in the trucks take way more abuse then these tractors, period. They are supposed to last 500,000 miles between rebuilds. They have extreme loads put on them, idle for very long periods of time (without racking up miles), and you would be supprised how much the diesels trucks are beat on. Most of these guys in the fleet straight jobs have the pedal to the floor constantly when the light turns green and they are governed @ 65mph (I know, i was one of them). Not to mention the guys hauling some serious weight up and down the mountians.....
heres a good oil write up. Sure there are more out there... If you dont want to read the whole thing scroll down to the the commercial diesel.
All About Motor Oil

Theres also a section how these fleet companies run periodic test on the oil to ensure the oil is performing up to the task on the high demands of these diesels...

After paying $45 for 1 male and female quick coupler from the dealer, I am done purchaseing from there unless i have too. They had a diesel can there for $27... Thats NUTS!!!

Everyone has their opinions and what they prefer, and if using the kubota oil is what you like than thats great. Dont get me wrong, I am not saying dont use kubota oil! What ever helps you sleep better at night.

Sorry for going on a bit, but i dont buy over prices products just because of the name, especially if there are better opions!

 

[orgt]

FWIW I second your post.

Same experience here.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

The diesel engine in the trucks take way more abuse then these tractors, period. They are supposed to last 500,000 miles between rebuilds.

Think what you want, know that your ignoring the advice of people who go to seminars and classes on this kinda stuff, and hear lectures by the engineers who work up the formulations of the oils. Yes, Kubota, New Holland, Deere or whoever is not out pumping oil. They do however use blends that are very different than whats used for on road machines. As was said, tractors typically work at 80-100% of their ratted load, cars are trucks are typically at 20-30%. If you went and ran a pickup at 100% load the engine would burn up after a few hours. Tractor Trailers would be running similar blends to what you see in tractors, and likely at similar expense (if not more). Most of their trucks are using cummins/fleetguard fiters which are not cheap. Thus... stopping at Autozone for the stuff to service your tractor is not a good idea.

 

[Mustangous]

They do however use blends that are very different than whats used for on road machines. As was said, tractors typically work at 80-100% of their ratted load, cars are trucks are typically at 20-30%. If you went and ran a pickup at 100% load the engine would burn up after a few hours. Tractor Trailers would be running similar blends to what you see in tractors, and likely at similar expense (if not more). Most of their trucks are using cummins/fleetguard fiters which are not cheap.

I was talking about tractor trailers... and their oil is NOT that expensive! Like i said there are fleets out there that has their oil tested periodicaly to make sure the oil is doing its job and they can tell ahead of time for pre muture wear or a malfuntion. These fleets depend on the BEST oil and depend on the oil to get the maximum life out of their engines because rebuilds cost $10K at a minimum. Regular motor oil wont cut it because of the friction modifiers and detergents that are added to it. These fleets use rotella, and at $8 bucks a gallon and $15 bucks a gallon for synthetic at walmart, you cant beat it. But if you want to listen to other people at seminars and at the dealers telling you what they want you to here then go ahead, thats up to you. How about do your own research and find out some facts without putting your faith in what someone wants you to believe. For example, They could be using rottella and adding a additive to make it theirs and claim its the best because of bla bla and put a big o fat price tag on it. Again, I aint saying kubota oil aint no good, thats not my point! just it isnt any better than what already out there, especially at their premium. ALso everyone dont have a dealer that close to them anyway. Everyone has their own opinion what they like.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I never said I've got issue with Rotella. Its a quality product. Everything I've ever heard says go ahead and use it. Its the non-synethic oils formulated for cars/trucks that are problematic.

 

[Mustangous]

never said you did. My point is just because the oil says kubota, doesnt mean that is all you can use.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

never said you did. My point is just because the oil says kubota, doesnt mean that is all you can use.

Yea, thats exactly what I said too. The 2nd half of that statement is that you should still be using a quality oil.

 

[Sully2]

Think what you want, know that your ignoring the advice of people who go to seminars and classes on this kinda stuff, and hear lectures by the engineers who work up the formulations of the oils. Yes, Kubota, New Holland, Deere or whoever is not out pumping oil. They do however use blends that are very different than whats used for on road machines. As was said, tractors typically work at 80-100% of their ratted load, cars are trucks are typically at 20-30%. If you went and ran a pickup at 100% load the engine would burn up after a few hours. Tractor Trailers would be running similar blends to what you see in tractors, and likely at similar expense (if not more). Most of their trucks are using cummins/fleetguard fiters which are not cheap. Thus... stopping at Autozone for the stuff to service your tractor is not a good idea.

Thats funny? Why do I see Kubota oil and NH oil and Shell Rotella and Chevron Delo all on my Kubota dealer shelf then? Whomever is telling you that ..in this case Kuboyta oil...is some "special blend"..etc..that no one else is making/ consuming is blowing a cloud of smoke up your backside partner!
And if you think over the road semis are running at 20-30% of the max RPM..I suggest you try a few miles behind the wheel of one looking at the tach! I run my Cummins 330 HP at 1700-1750 and it has a 2200 RPM redline....just a "tad more" than the 30% power level!!!

I buy Chevrom for $9.95 a gallon as compared to the POOR quality Kubota 10W-30 at almost $12 a gallon!!

 

[Sully2]

never said you did. My point is just because the oil says kubota, doesnt mean that is all you can use.

Doesnt mean its worth a damm either....just means that it passes the MINIMUM quality levels that Kubota will approve

 

[Mustangous]

Doesnt mean its worth a damm either....just means that it passes the MINIMUM quality levels that Kubota will approve

Your right, but i havent seen any facts about Kubota oil so I wont say if its good or bad!

 

[crabjoe]

The owners manual should tell you the API rating you need to use, so just use the oil that has the correct API rating.

BTW, many trucking companies don't change oil based on mileage. They change based on oil analysis. If you want to go this route, I recommand using Blackstone. I say Blackstone, because that's who I use.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Whomever is telling you that ..in this case Kuboyta oil...is some "special blend"..etc..that no one else is making/ consuming is blowing a cloud of smoke up your backside partner!

Clearly millions of dollars have been thown away over the years, becuase apparently they've just got a bunch of guys pee'ing into all those 5 gallon buckets.

In about two weeks you'll be able to log-on to our website and watch an hour long presentation from our open house last year. Its presented to about a hundred farmers by Bill Zobel of Viscosity Oil. They are the research and development company that New Holland uses to come up with the blends that go into tractors.

I don't know how else to make it more clear. Oil is not all the same. Its much more evident with hydraulic fluid than engine oil. Take New Holland 134 Hydraulic oil, and Kubota SUDT. SUDT is almost double the price, and its not because Kubota is trying to fleece on you on it. SUDT is a synthetic blend thats very different than 134 which is a straight oil with a heavy additive package. When you flip flop these in particular machine you can tell. Stick 134 in a Kubota RTV900 and you'll known in an instant.

I'm not saying that an OEM branded oil is some magic tractor juice. I am saying that it is blended for these companies, and your not buying the same stuff at TSC with a different sticker on the pail. Thats not to say that it won't work, it most cases you can't tell. However, it absolutly is not the same thing.


See those tanks... thats about half of them. We buy oil by the tanker. The blue sticker is New Holland 30w, the big one in the back is 134 hydraulic fluid.

 

[Mustangous]

I don't know how else to make it more clear. Oil is not all the same. Its much more evident with hydraulic fluid than engine oil. Take New Holland 134 Hydraulic oil, and Kubota SUDT. SUDT is almost double the price, and its not because Kubota is trying to fleece on you on it. SUDT is a synthetic blend thats very different than 134 which is a straight oil with a heavy additive package. When you flip flop these in particular machine you can tell. Stick 134 in a Kubota RTV900 and you'll known in an instant.

How could you compare the two? you said it yourself, totally different oil!

SUDT is a synthetic blend thats very different than 134 which is a straight oil with a heavy additive package.

Full synthetic is usually 100% more and a blend is usually 50% more than regular oils. So a blend that is double the price is too much.

Clearly millions of dollars have been thown away over the years, becuase apparently they've just got a bunch of guys pee'ing into all those 5 gallon buckets.

They have those millions because of all the nieve people buying it. If no one bought that over priced oil then i bet they would cut the whole oil department out.

come on.. Kubota banged me over the head for $45 for 1 set of quick connects and i found the same brand for $15 online(heres the like if anyone is interested:72N4-4F Male fitting and 72N4-4F Female fitting). They wanted $26 and change for a diesel container that is under $15 at home depot and even cheaper at walmart. So you know the oil is the same way.... Sorry for feeling resentful, but i feel like I was taken advantage of. I dont mind paying a little more for conienence and supporting my local stealer, I mean dealer, but i could of overnighted it for less.

Messick, I am sure there arent doubters that the kubota or new holland oil are good, thats not the issue. If they have their name on it then it SHOULD be desent if not good since they have to warrenty it. Its easy for joe shmoe to walk into you dealer and say, hey i need oil for such and such and they get it. Its just plan easy and they pay for that. They cant walk into a local parts store or walmart and ask the same question and get an educated answer. But if an educated person researches some info on the web then they could. Thats what the original poster is doing. He already knew that Kubota oil is sufficient, but was looking for other options and opinions. I'm not knocking the quality of the oil.

 

[Volfandt]

To address the OP's question, I use Kubota branded oil(s) myself. The 10w30 engine oil and SUDT for the HST. I also use OEM filters. My primary reasons are, and in my case, it's a once a yr change for the engine oil and filter and 2 to 3 yr interval on the HST oil & filter so it's not brakeing my bank to use OEM. I get piece of mind plus a reason to visit the dealer to see the new offerings. The Kubota branded oil costs about the same as the Mobile 1 syn I put in my auto's and if I were to change brand's I'd go w/the Mobil 1 Truck & Diesel syn.
Since I don't have to add one single drop of oil to the engine between changes (going on 340 hrs) the Kubota branded oil seems to be doing a fine job..

Theres been many posts on this subject with folks that have chosen to go w/Rotella, Rotella T, Mobil 1, Mobil 1 Truck & SUV, Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc etc etc and there hasn't been an engine failure related to a specific brand of oil OR filter yet. There HAS been numerous postings on which HST fluid is better for the BX series and SUDT has won hands down. Although Chevron's synthetic UDT alternative has been reported to quiet down HST whine.

Basically, as long as the engine oil meets Kubota's listed diesel specs you should be OK.