Kubota front axle, hydraulic fluid or gear oil?

5030 · Jul 15, 2025

Fallon said:
From the Kubota manual...
Front axle case 4.5 L, 4.8 U.S.qts., 3.9 Imp.qts. KUBOTA UDT or SUPER UDT fluid* or SAE80, 90 gear oil

Would you put in hydraulic fluid (UDT or Super UDT) or some 80W-90 gear oil? Going to change out the front axle fluid & thinking I'll just pick up some 80w-90 tomorow, but wondering if anybody had any opinions as they are both recommended by Kubota.

I hes gear oil in both of my Kubota's simply because gear oil better absorbs the shocks of gear movement when in 4wd when I'm moving and loading round bales in the field but UDT or SUDT works as well plus gear oil provides better boundary lubrication to the outboard bearings, something I've had fail in the past and they are a PITA to replace.

DarkBlack · Jul 15, 2025

Their opinion:

CalG · Jul 15, 2025

DarkBlack said:
Where did you read this?
Can you post a link to it , please?
The particular elastomer composition would have to be discussed, to start.
I’d love to see an actual technical study that compared a gearbox lubricated with good gear oil against a gearbox lubricated with UTTO, where they found the seals leak sooner with gear oil, than with with UTTO.

wish I could.

IIRC correctly, it was one of the big makers. J-D or the like comparing their own fluids.
I gave a look, but I'm already on the boat, so ....

5030 · Jul 15, 2025

I get a kick out of Messics ads. Always pandering to buy their products...lol Apparent they also recommend 90 weight gear oil, what I use in my Kubota's

DarkBlack · Jul 15, 2025

5030 said:
I get a kick out of Messics ads. Always pandering to buy their products...lol Apparent they also recommend 90 weight gear oil, what I use in my Kubota's

The video has the guy holding 2 different Tutela brand oils, which can be bought anywhere, including Amazon.
Not sure what you saw.