Kubota L3560 front axle lubricant

[Redlands Okie]

My manual says to use 80 - 90 weight axle oil or UDT2 hydro fluid in the 4 wheel drive front axle
Would be nice to use the same fluid in front axle as in transmission.
I do a LOT of front end loader work.
Does one have better attributes over the other?
Which would be best ?

Thanks in advance

 

[big bubba]

often discussed topic. either would cover the required lube specs for ft. axle. personally, if i were up in the northern tier states/canada & planning to use during winter, would consider the udt2.

where you & i live, i prefer 80/90 gear oil. although i cannot empirically confirm, the 80/90 gl5 hypoid offers less chance of seal leak esp in warm weather use. plus it's cheaper. given the smaller capacity of your ft axle, for convenience as you state, either way would be fine

 

[Fallon]

My manual says to use 80 - 90 weight axle oil or UDT2 hydro fluid in the 4 wheel drive front axle
Would be nice to use the same fluid in front axle as in transmission.
I do a LOT of front end loader work.
Does one have better attributes over the other?
Which would be best ?

Thanks in advance

They put the same thing in the front axle as the tranny from the factory for just that reason. Easier & less fluids to stock. If it didn't work I'm sure the factory wouldn't spec it.

Less parasitic drag with the lighter fluid. Gear oil might lube a bit better, but probably not significantly. Realistically the gears in the front axle aren't going to be that different than those in the rear. I'll likely put UDT2 in my front axle when it comes time for me to service my newish L4060.

 

[CalG]

J-D did a study.

UTTO prolonged seal life without increasing metal component wear over gear oil.

When is the last time you heard of a front axle "wearing out due to improper fluid use". Other failures, yes, but not accelerated wear unless there is no lube, or filled with water. ;-)

 

[Redlands Okie]

Ok than another question........ to swap from 80-90 gear oil to UDT2 do i just empty out the gear oil and replace with UDT2 or perhaps do so twice after a bit of use so as to flush out the gear oil ?

 

[big bubba]

both lubricants will work fine. to flush one from another? save your time & money & choose one over the other and change @ recommended intervals w/o flush. residual "contaminants" should pose no problem switching from one to another. imho

 

[Texasmark]

My manual says to use 80 - 90 weight axle oil or UDT2 hydro fluid in the 4 wheel drive front axle
Would be nice to use the same fluid in front axle as in transmission.
I do a LOT of front end loader work.
Does one have better attributes over the other?
Which would be best ?
Thanks in advance

After tearing up a front end on trans/hydraulic/differential multifunction oil, and after talking with my parts rep seems my tractor mfgr realized that a gear train needs to be lubed like a gear train, with gear oil. Recommendation on my '07 is now 85W-140 rather that the light fluid that was in it when it was built, and my '16 came with 80w-90 rather than the light fluid even though it's 24 hp and the other is 65. Wink!

When I do my first oil change on the newer one, it too will be the 85W-140. If I didn't have a common sump I'd have everything in 85w-140 except the hydraulic/hydro sections. Since I am in TX. I don't have to worry about it being too thick for winter operations where the 80w-90 would be more appropriate.

 

[big bubba]

really depends where in the country the tractor is in use during lower temps. going 85/140 gear lube could be pushing the limit in below 20 f. think the ft axle lube choice would be ok w/udt2 or 80/90 gear for most continental us conditions. 85/40 lube, well? i'd hesitate to make that my universal gear lube of choice esp up north. best regards

 

[Redlands Okie]

For what ever the information is worth i was told today by my local kobata dealership that the 2016 Grand L3560 HST 4 wheel drive came with UDT2 in it from the factory.

Guy said they still preferred the 80-90 gear oil in them if the tractor was in water or muddy conditions since the heavier oil was less likely to leak around gaskets, as in letting oil out or allowing water in.....
located in north central oklahoma weather wise.

 

[CalG]

After tearing up a front end on trans/hydraulic/differential multifunction oil, and after talking with my parts rep seems my tractor mfgr realized that a gear train needs to be lubed like a gear train, with gear oil. Recommendation on my '07 is now 85W-140 rather that the light fluid that was in it when it was built, and my '16 came with 80w-90 rather than the light fluid even though it's 24 hp and the other is 65. Wink!

When I do my first oil change on the newer one, it too will be the 85W-140. If I didn't have a common sump I'd have everything in 85w-140 except the hydraulic/hydro sections. Since I am in TX. I don't have to worry about it being too thick for winter operations where the 80w-90 would be more appropriate.

"tearing up" can have several connotations. But it is rather a chicken and egg sort of question after the terrible sounds stop.
Sorry about your loss.