L45 200 Hour Maintenance

[Bota4me]

I cant understand how the oil NEVER breaks down?? Confused

 

[94BULLITT]

My L4240 manual says to change the trans fluid at 400hrs.

 

[Onederdog]

I'll ask him to cite a reference next time I'm over there. I was just passing it along, and don't necessarily believe it either.

 

[Jay4200]

I just had the 50 hr. service on my L45 done by my dealer and the service manager mentioned that Hydraulic oil NEVER needs to be replaced.

I believe it, although 'never' probably doesn't actually mean 'never'. I put 600 hours on my tractor before I changed the hydraulic/tranny fluid, and another 300 that the PO put on, and who knows before that - my L4200 tractor had 2600 hours when I changed it. I did change the hydro filter once before that though. The fluid that came out (which I assume was SUDT) was exactly the same color and consistency as the stuff I was putting in (Universal UDT-compatible fluid from Sam's).

JayC

 

[Onederdog]

Here is a link to an article on machinery hydraulics you might find interesting.

The Seven Most Common Hydraulic Equipment Mistakes

 

[avc8130]

Here is a link to an article on machinery hydraulics you might find interesting.

The Seven Most Common Hydraulic Equipment Mistakes

His article attempts to support my idea that oil analysis might be the way to go. Unfortunately, to get an idea of what is going on ~$75 would need to be spent on analysis. A raw sample of SUDT2 would need to be tested for a baseline, as well as various samples at different hours.

ac

 

[Jay4200]

His article attempts to support my idea that oil analysis might be the way to go. Unfortunately, to get an idea of what is going on ~$75 would need to be spent on analysis. A raw sample of SUDT2 would need to be tested for a baseline, as well as various samples at different hours.

$75? I can change the fluid out with 10 gallons of new for $85. So much for oil analysis.

JayC

 

[avc8130]

$75? I can change the fluid out with 10 gallons of new for $85. So much for oil analysis.

JayC

If you were to use Kubota SUDT2, it would cost ~$250 to chance the oil in the L45.

ac

 

[94BULLITT]

Why buy a $40k machine and cheap out $200 on the hydraulic fluid?

 

[natem]

Why buy a $40k machine and cheap out $200 on the hydraulic fluid?

I'll second that!!!!

 

[lhansman]

Me three.

I am not an expert but to me the SUDT is not being used the same as hydraulic oil. Hydraulic oil is just pumped to the cylinders with minimal wear except for seals. Since the SUDT is doing this plus going through the HST+ transmission it would seem to me there is more of an opportunity for foreign matter from clutch discs and other components in the drivetrain to get in the SUDT. Kubota didn't install three filters just for fun.

I think it is false economy to go with cheaper lubricants on an expensive machine. I run synthetic lubricants in all my vehicles and machines from my Honda lawn trimmer to my 2012 F250 diesel. Synthetics have served me well for more than 30 years.

 

[mike69440]

Me three.

I am not an expert but to me the SUDT is not being used the same as hydraulic oil. Hydraulic oil is just pumped to the cylinders with minimal wear except for seals. Since the SUDT is doing this plus going through the HST+ transmission it would seem to me there is more of an opportunity for foreign matter from clutch discs and other components in the drivetrain to get in the SUDT. Kubota didn't install three filters just for fun.

I think it is false economy to go with cheaper lubricants on an expensive machine. I run synthetic lubricants in all my vehicles and machines from my Honda lawn trimmer to my 2012 F250 diesel. Synthetics have served me well for more than 30 years.

GST on the L39 has a wet clutch also, but I am not to concerned about repacing synthetric hydraulic oil at 400 hours. I'll probably let mine go another 800 hours to 2500 Hours total or at 2500 Hours do an anaylsis. i do replace the filters every 800 hours or so and use the correct PN Kubota filters, not aftermarket as aftermarket like other Kubota filters may physically fit but not have the same internal reliefs and fiter media.

Mistake No. 1 – Changing the oil

There are only two conditions that mandate a hydraulic oil change: degradation of the base oil or depletion of the additive package. Because there are so many variables that determine the rate at which oil degrades and additives get used up, changing hydraulic oil based on hours in service, without any reference to the actual condition of the oil, is like shooting in the dark.

Given the current high price of oil, dumping oil which doesn’t need to be changed is the last thing you want to do. On the other hand, if you continue to operate with the base oil degraded or additives depleted, you compromise the service life of every other component in the hydraulic system. The only way to know when the oil needs to be changed is through oil analysis.

 

[john_bud]

Now if they only made lifetime underwear lol

You mean it's not???


Oh great, now I have to start washing them, too!

 

[avc8130]

Me three.

I am not an expert but to me the SUDT is not being used the same as hydraulic oil. Hydraulic oil is just pumped to the cylinders with minimal wear except for seals. Since the SUDT is doing this plus going through the HST+ transmission it would seem to me there is more of an opportunity for foreign matter from clutch discs and other components in the drivetrain to get in the SUDT. Kubota didn't install three filters just for fun.

I think it is false economy to go with cheaper lubricants on an expensive machine. I run synthetic lubricants in all my vehicles and machines from my Honda lawn trimmer to my 2012 F250 diesel. Synthetics have served me well for more than 30 years.

Are there clutch discs in the HST trans? I thought there was just a pump and motor.

ac

 

[avc8130]

GST on the L39 has a wet clutch also, but I am not to concerned about repacing synthetric hydraulic oil at 400 hours. I'll probably let mine go another 800 hours to 2500 Hours total or at 2500 Hours do an anaylsis. i do replace the filters every 800 hours or so and use the correct PN Kubota filters, not aftermarket as aftermarket like other Kubota filters may physically fit but not have the same internal reliefs and fiter media.

Mistake No. 1 – Changing the oil

There are only two conditions that mandate a hydraulic oil change: degradation of the base oil or depletion of the additive package. Because there are so many variables that determine the rate at which oil degrades and additives get used up, changing hydraulic oil based on hours in service, without any reference to the actual condition of the oil, is like shooting in the dark.

Given the current high price of oil, dumping oil which doesn’t need to be changed is the last thing you want to do. On the other hand, if you continue to operate with the base oil degraded or additives depleted, you compromise the service life of every other component in the hydraulic system. The only way to know when the oil needs to be changed is through oil analysis.

Who are you using for analysis? I am very interested in your experience.

ac

 

[john_bud]

Are there clutch discs in the HST trans? I thought there was just a pump and motor.

ac

The brakes are wet disc. The HST is just pump and motor.

 

[CHDinCT]

The brakes are wet disc. The HST is just pump and motor.

The PTO might use a hydraulic clutch too.

 

[mike69440]

Who are you using for analysis? I am very interested in your experience.ac

I'm shooting in the dark. In the spring, I think I'll send the hydraulic oil out for one of those $25 dollar lab checks.

I think I am reasonable about oil changes in general. It takes 9 gallons of Rotella to change engine oil in the 4 diesels, and 37 quarts of PAO synthetic to change the oil in the 3 bikes, 3 cars and 2 PU’s in our family of just 3 drivers. I’m not looking to do oil changes anymore than necessary. In the last 20 years, I never had a lubrication or engine wear issue by changing oil just based on look and smell.
For instance I have a little Mazda 4 cylinders I beat the crap out of with 220 K miles that does not burn oil or have sludge build-up. The worst any engine had was a little varnish.