Hydraulic fluid contamination

[Papabiker]

I did the 50 hr. service on my new Grand L 3560 last weekend. While changing the transmission and hydraulic filters, I lost @ 2 gallons of hydraulic fluid. The dealer said I should only need a gallon or less when I bought supplies, so I did not have enough on hand to refill. I had some other brand fluid, so I topped off the system with brand x.

I learned after that this is a major no-no, so I'm going to drain the system, replace filters and refill with the recommended Kubota juice. The tractor has a grapple with the Kubota front hydraulic kit installed. My question is, since I realize I cannot drain all the old fluid out, do I need to fill, circulate, drain and fill again, or is one drain and fill sufficient?

Do the Kubota service folks have the ability to completely flush the system? Stupid can be expensive...

 

[dickfoster]

Are you sure the brand X is all that bad or is it just some manufacturer BS line to sell oil instead of sticking to selling tractors? Remember that are no tractor companies out there drilling or refining oil. One gallon out of what, eight gallons or something like that? Unless you did something really silly like putting your wife's deep fry oil in it, I doubt it's all that bad.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

Are you sure the brand X is all that bad or is it just some manufacturer BS line to sell oil instead of sticking to selling tractors? Remember that are no tractor companies out there drilling or refining oil. One gallon out of what, eight gallons or something like that? Unless you did something really silly like putting your wife's deep fry oil in it, I doubt it's all that bad.

No tractor companies are actually refining oil, they all do however employ many petroleum engineers and their oil formula's are proprietary (heavily guarded secrets like products made by Coke or Pepsi) so no, not all oils are alike. But the effects are probably minor and more related to sludge build up in the long run, but warranty is important and there most certainly is some real junk hydraulic oil in the market. Sounds like the op has already informed his dealer of his error and even though it could still be found in a fluid analysis even if they did not know he should probably do what the dealer says needs to be done to keep his warranty.

 

[PHILIP8N]

What oil did you put in it? Give us a little more than 'brand x'. Philip.

 

[TripleR]

One drain and refill will be fine, no easy, way to completely purge the system, too many places never fully drain anyway. You will be fine with your present course and I imagine sleep better.

I've had five Kubotas and still own four, I have used Hy Guard, Ambra and other good quality oil at one time or another, Ashland Oil does Kubota fluids and all worked fine, no discernible difference in performance. Having said that, with the introduction of SUDT2, I will be using it in my L5740 at my next change. If I detect any improvement, I'll probably do so in our other tractors; maybe.

 

[dickfoster]

No tractor companies are actually refining oil, they all do however employ many petroleum engineers and their oil formula's are proprietary (heavily guarded secrets like products made by Coke or Pepsi) so no, not all oils are alike. But the effects are probably minor and more related to sludge build up in the long run, but warranty is important and there most certainly is some real junk hydraulic oil in the market. Sounds like the op has already informed his dealer of his error and even though it could still be found in a fluid analysis even if they did not know he should probably do what the dealer says needs to be done to keep his warranty.

This after most don't build the tractors they sell, nor the loaders or backhoes. Me thinks it has more to do with marketing, MBA beancounter types and making money than it does with oil formulation and analysis. Now I do like to use good quality oils and lubes in my stuff and will spend the money to get it but I don't get all whacked out over brands about it. I know snake oil when I see it too.

 

[Papabiker]

What oil did you put in it? Give us a little more than 'brand x'. Philip.

I'm at the office, so I can't remember specifically what oil it is. It is from a former Kubota tractor, but it's not the Super UDT2 that's already in the tractor. I have not confessed to the dealer, but asked the service manager, an acquaintance of mine, what would happen if I added a different oil. He went into convulsions, his head twisted around backwards, so I presumed this is bad. Warranty issues are probably moot, as I won't put more that 100 hours/year on the tractor, so it will likely be out of warranty before a problem arises. The answer appears to be to drain the system as best I can, fill with the right oil and move on.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Many UTF (universal tractor fluids) will list themselves as meeting Kubota specs. Check your bottle. My 2009 L3940 manual calls for UDT or SUDT (SUDT2 was not available in 2009). My 2013 GR2120 manual calls for UDT, SUDT, or SUDT2. So per Kubota, I can put any of these 3 fluids in my Kubota's. I have literature somewhere that says you can mix the different UDT fluids, no harm, you will just get a mixed performance of the fluid. If you put in a small makeup amount UTF that meets Kubota's spec, I would not sweat it. When my buddy and I swap implements, I get a little NH fluid, he gets a little Kubota fluid, no harm done. When I bought a used loader, all the fluid in the lines eventually went into my sump, no harm done. If you put a UTF in there, I would not be concerned with it. Philip.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

This after most don't build the tractors they sell, nor the loaders or backhoes. Me thinks it has more to do with marketing, MBA beancounter types and making money than it does with oil formulation and analysis. Now I do like to use good quality oils and lubes in my stuff and will spend the money to get it but I don't get all whacked out over brands about it. I know snake oil when I see it too.

You are probably right, each refinery makes one blend and a packaging company puts random brand names on the bottle. What was I thinking, I must have overdosed on my last bottle of snake oil. I'll cut down on my intake

 

[DarrellSimpson]

They even say that synthetic and non synthetic will mix just fine , I don't want to try it but just trying to help you calm down and not worry so much .