The last tractor (they've all been Kubota) I bought was shipped with UDT in the front end. The manual lists SUDT/UDT/ SAE 80 -SAE 90 for replacement when changing. It gets pretty warm here in the summer and I use 80-90 gear oil as I feel it is not as likely to leak around the seals. Sometimes mine get a pretty good workout at a brisk pace. That's just me.
Front Axle Fluid, What comes stock?
- Thread starter proudestmonkey
- Start date
- Views: 6058
The last tractor (they've all been Kubota) I bought was shipped with UDT in the front end. The manual lists SUDT/UDT/ SAE 80 -SAE 90 for replacement when changing. It gets pretty warm here in the summer and I use 80-90 gear oil as I feel it is not as likely to leak around the seals. Sometimes mine get a pretty good workout at a brisk pace. That's just me.
DiezNutz
Veteran Member
PM,
Thanks. Good to know.
-DN
Thanks. Good to know.
-DN
DiezNutz
Veteran Member
PM,
Thanks. Good to know.
-DN
Thanks. Good to know.
-DN
OP
proudestmonkey
Platinum Member
If I lived where you live, I'd probably do the same. It does get warm here in Minnesota, but it also gets very very cold. So, there's probably a balancing that needs to be done to decide what's best. I plan to use my tractor during the winter for snow removal. Often after a storm has dumped 8" of snow, it gets cold (below zero). I am thinking it would be less bad to have thinner fluid in the summer, than thick goo in the winter.
OP
proudestmonkey
Platinum Member
If I lived where you live, I'd probably do the same. It does get warm here in Minnesota, but it also gets very very cold. So, there's probably a balancing that needs to be done to decide what's best. I plan to use my tractor during the winter for snow removal. Often after a storm has dumped 8" of snow, it gets cold (below zero). I am thinking it would be less bad to have thinner fluid in the summer, than thick goo in the winter.
DiezNutz
Veteran Member
Sully2,
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz
DiezNutz
Veteran Member
Sully2,
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz
Sully2
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sully2,
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz )</font>
Depending on the RING material it may take even longer to wear in. Ive seen SST rings that when the engine tossed a rod at 50K...the cylinder still have the "score marks" from factory honing...didnt have a thing to do with "oil changes"..but it IS one of the reasons many companys went to "moly filled" rings.
And who said.."If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. ..". I have as many questions as the next guy..about my particular Kubota...problem is..GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER !
If MY tractor came with SUDT in the tranny...then why when I found it was TWO GALLONS low..the mobil tech filled with with UDT????? Right in front of my own two little eyes!! As as far as the oil...engine oil..that came in it...why did Kubota specify an oil spec...2 of 3 specs...that were OUT OF DATE???
"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz )</font>
Depending on the RING material it may take even longer to wear in. Ive seen SST rings that when the engine tossed a rod at 50K...the cylinder still have the "score marks" from factory honing...didnt have a thing to do with "oil changes"..but it IS one of the reasons many companys went to "moly filled" rings.
And who said.."If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. ..". I have as many questions as the next guy..about my particular Kubota...problem is..GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER !
If MY tractor came with SUDT in the tranny...then why when I found it was TWO GALLONS low..the mobil tech filled with with UDT????? Right in front of my own two little eyes!! As as far as the oil...engine oil..that came in it...why did Kubota specify an oil spec...2 of 3 specs...that were OUT OF DATE???
"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor
Sully2
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sully2,
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz )</font>
Depending on the RING material it may take even longer to wear in. Ive seen SST rings that when the engine tossed a rod at 50K...the cylinder still have the "score marks" from factory honing...didnt have a thing to do with "oil changes"..but it IS one of the reasons many companys went to "moly filled" rings.
And who said.."If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. ..". I have as many questions as the next guy..about my particular Kubota...problem is..GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER !
If MY tractor came with SUDT in the tranny...then why when I found it was TWO GALLONS low..the mobil tech filled with with UDT????? Right in front of my own two little eyes!! As as far as the oil...engine oil..that came in it...why did Kubota specify an oil spec...2 of 3 specs...that were OUT OF DATE???
"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor
I suppose since it's news to you, that also makes it wrong? It was news to me also. But that doesn't change the fact that it took 40,000 miles for my rings to seat because I changed the oil too soon. Guess what else- it wasn't printed anywhere in my owner's manual or anywhere else either. I promptly complained about that fact to the dealer. Their response? "Most folks these days bring their vehicles back to the dealer or some other type of garage for their oil changes, and we all just KNOW not to change the oil too early". I thought that was a pretty lame response.
I simply suggested it was worth checking into. If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. But why the shouting?
-DiezNutz )</font>
Depending on the RING material it may take even longer to wear in. Ive seen SST rings that when the engine tossed a rod at 50K...the cylinder still have the "score marks" from factory honing...didnt have a thing to do with "oil changes"..but it IS one of the reasons many companys went to "moly filled" rings.
And who said.."If you already know everything there is to know about what Kubota put in your tractor at the factory, then of course you needn't waste your time. ..". I have as many questions as the next guy..about my particular Kubota...problem is..GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER !
If MY tractor came with SUDT in the tranny...then why when I found it was TWO GALLONS low..the mobil tech filled with with UDT????? Right in front of my own two little eyes!! As as far as the oil...engine oil..that came in it...why did Kubota specify an oil spec...2 of 3 specs...that were OUT OF DATE???
"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor
DiezNutz
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue">I have as many questions as the next guy..about my particular Kubota...problem is..GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER ! </font>)</font>
Well now, there's something we agree on. Which is why, if you scroll up to my initial post, I suggested folks do just that. I never claimed to know for certain one way or the other about Kubotas.
The great thing about a forum such as this is the sharing of ideas, experience, and knowledge, and the ability to get questions answered.
The bad thing about a forum such as this, is many "opinions" are passed off as "fact". It's sometimes hard for people to tell the difference, so one does well to take *everything* they read with a grain of salt.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue">"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor </font>)</font>
Hmmm....you admitted earlier that the factory oil MAY contain MoS2 and claimed it "has been a break-in additive for a LONG time now." Now it sounds like you're contradicting yourself.
I do know for a fact that my car's engine oil had MoS2 in it because I confirmed it through independent sources in addition to the dealer. It sounds like Proudest confirmed the same thing with his wife's Honda.
My car is European and PM's is Japanese, and neither is a GM or Ford, so you can't really compare the industry cultures and practices. Since Kubotas are also Japanese, to me that's enough to wanna check it out. But we'll let the readers investigate and decide for themselves. Or not. That's all I'm going to say about it.
Well now, there's something we agree on. Which is why, if you scroll up to my initial post, I suggested folks do just that. I never claimed to know for certain one way or the other about Kubotas.
The great thing about a forum such as this is the sharing of ideas, experience, and knowledge, and the ability to get questions answered.
The bad thing about a forum such as this, is many "opinions" are passed off as "fact". It's sometimes hard for people to tell the difference, so one does well to take *everything* they read with a grain of salt.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue">"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor </font>)</font>
Hmmm....you admitted earlier that the factory oil MAY contain MoS2 and claimed it "has been a break-in additive for a LONG time now." Now it sounds like you're contradicting yourself.
I do know for a fact that my car's engine oil had MoS2 in it because I confirmed it through independent sources in addition to the dealer. It sounds like Proudest confirmed the same thing with his wife's Honda.
My car is European and PM's is Japanese, and neither is a GM or Ford, so you can't really compare the industry cultures and practices. Since Kubotas are also Japanese, to me that's enough to wanna check it out. But we'll let the readers investigate and decide for themselves. Or not. That's all I'm going to say about it.
DiezNutz
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue">I have as many questions as the next guy..about my particular Kubota...problem is..GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER ! </font>)</font>
Well now, there's something we agree on. Which is why, if you scroll up to my initial post, I suggested folks do just that. I never claimed to know for certain one way or the other about Kubotas.
The great thing about a forum such as this is the sharing of ideas, experience, and knowledge, and the ability to get questions answered.
The bad thing about a forum such as this, is many "opinions" are passed off as "fact". It's sometimes hard for people to tell the difference, so one does well to take *everything* they read with a grain of salt.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue">"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor </font>)</font>
Hmmm....you admitted earlier that the factory oil MAY contain MoS2 and claimed it "has been a break-in additive for a LONG time now." Now it sounds like you're contradicting yourself.
I do know for a fact that my car's engine oil had MoS2 in it because I confirmed it through independent sources in addition to the dealer. It sounds like Proudest confirmed the same thing with his wife's Honda.
My car is European and PM's is Japanese, and neither is a GM or Ford, so you can't really compare the industry cultures and practices. Since Kubotas are also Japanese, to me that's enough to wanna check it out. But we'll let the readers investigate and decide for themselves. Or not. That's all I'm going to say about it.
Well now, there's something we agree on. Which is why, if you scroll up to my initial post, I suggested folks do just that. I never claimed to know for certain one way or the other about Kubotas.
The great thing about a forum such as this is the sharing of ideas, experience, and knowledge, and the ability to get questions answered.
The bad thing about a forum such as this, is many "opinions" are passed off as "fact". It's sometimes hard for people to tell the difference, so one does well to take *everything* they read with a grain of salt.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( <font color="blue">"Break-in" oil from the factory is an old wives tale..and just one more internet rumor </font>)</font>
Hmmm....you admitted earlier that the factory oil MAY contain MoS2 and claimed it "has been a break-in additive for a LONG time now." Now it sounds like you're contradicting yourself.
I do know for a fact that my car's engine oil had MoS2 in it because I confirmed it through independent sources in addition to the dealer. It sounds like Proudest confirmed the same thing with his wife's Honda.
My car is European and PM's is Japanese, and neither is a GM or Ford, so you can't really compare the industry cultures and practices. Since Kubotas are also Japanese, to me that's enough to wanna check it out. But we'll let the readers investigate and decide for themselves. Or not. That's all I'm going to say about it.
Sully2
Veteran Member
You're right...Im wrong. There..doest that make ya happey. Good!..and GOODNIGHT! Its STILL a bunch of BS!
Sully2
Veteran Member
You're right...Im wrong. There..doest that make ya happey. Good!..and GOODNIGHT! Its STILL a bunch of BS!
fih25
Member
May I offer the following tip to make reading the fluid level easier(yes it is VERY hard to see).
When I changed my front axle fluid I wrapped a piece of blue masking tape around the dipstick and used my finger nail to indent the low/ high level marks. I then put the dipstick back in and removed to check, it was a lot easier to read. I then removed the masking tape from the dipstick after I had the fluid to the proper level.
When I changed my front axle fluid I wrapped a piece of blue masking tape around the dipstick and used my finger nail to indent the low/ high level marks. I then put the dipstick back in and removed to check, it was a lot easier to read. I then removed the masking tape from the dipstick after I had the fluid to the proper level.
fih25
Member
May I offer the following tip to make reading the fluid level easier(yes it is VERY hard to see).
When I changed my front axle fluid I wrapped a piece of blue masking tape around the dipstick and used my finger nail to indent the low/ high level marks. I then put the dipstick back in and removed to check, it was a lot easier to read. I then removed the masking tape from the dipstick after I had the fluid to the proper level.
When I changed my front axle fluid I wrapped a piece of blue masking tape around the dipstick and used my finger nail to indent the low/ high level marks. I then put the dipstick back in and removed to check, it was a lot easier to read. I then removed the masking tape from the dipstick after I had the fluid to the proper level.
OP
proudestmonkey
Platinum Member
Good idea, but I'll have to make sure I get that tape on there good. Can you imagine what a drag it would be if even just a piece of it fell into the axle?
fih25
Member
Good point, I use Whestley's Bleach White(used for cleaning tires/whitewalls) to clean off any fluid on the dipstick, then I just wrap a small piece of blue masking tape around the dipstick, doubling the end to make removal easy. It stays on very well until your done. When your finished, it comes off easily without leaving any residue/pieces.
Charliebrn
Platinum Member
I've also read where someone used to put a little talcum powder on the end of the stick...not much, just a little. Apparently it made it much easier to see...
DVR
Gold Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2006
- Messages
- 286
- Location
- Columbia, SC
- Tractor
- Kubota MX5400 cab, Kubota L3560LE cab, Kubota L3301
fwiw:
i got a call from kubota today. it was in regard to warranty transfer on my newly aquired 2005 b7510.
the gentleman asked me the # of hours when I bought it (37). he then asked the # of hours it had now (49). he replied just about time for the 50 hour service. i told him i had just done it and what work was performed. he asked if i had done the front axle. i told him no and the fluid in the axle looked new. he said to change it. since i lived in the southeast to use gear lube. he said it was even more important since i had a front end loader.
i got a call from kubota today. it was in regard to warranty transfer on my newly aquired 2005 b7510.
the gentleman asked me the # of hours when I bought it (37). he then asked the # of hours it had now (49). he replied just about time for the 50 hour service. i told him i had just done it and what work was performed. he asked if i had done the front axle. i told him no and the fluid in the axle looked new. he said to change it. since i lived in the southeast to use gear lube. he said it was even more important since i had a front end loader.
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