M59 Hydraulic Oil Filter Change problem/question

[Bill in VA]

According to my manual I am suppose to change the engine filter, engine oil, transmission filter, and hydraulic filters (2) at 50 hours. Since I had read on other posts that the 50 hour service was so expensive partially due to the replacement of all the filters, the engine oil, and the transmission/hydraulic oil, I stopped by the dealer to confirm the tran/hyd oil did not have to be replaced at 50 hours. The dealer parts counter staff confirmed this. Just to be safe, I went back to the service counter and asked the same question there. They also confirmed that the tran/hyd fluid did not have to be changed with the filters at 50 hours. I also asked the tech if when I unscrewed the tran/hyd filters was oil going to pour out. The tech said that some would come out but it would not be very much especially if I'm ready to put the replacements on quickly.

I changed the engine oil and engine filter...no problem.

I changed the tran filter and a little oil did come out but it stopped and I got the filter on...no problem.

Then I came to the hydraulic filters. I loosened one and then the other to be ready for removal and replacement as quick as possible. As soon as I unscrewed the first one a little more, oil began pouring out. It also seemed that it was not slowing down, so much so that I felt like since I had to remove and replace two of them there was no way in *!##*!! it was not all going to drain out. There was enough oil that the filter was completely covered which, of course, made it difficult to hand tighten back up.

Obvious first question: Has anyone else changed the hydraulic filters without draining the oil? Maybe I'm overreacting to someones definition of "a little oil will come out" but the amount made no sense to me.

Second question: The hydraulic filters have a protective plate bolted (attached to the frame)on underneath them. I was concerned that the plate would block removal of the filters but since the manual said nothing about the plate needing removal, I went ahead and started. I did not get far enough to confirm there was no need to remove the plate. Can anyone confirm for me the hyd filters will come off with the plate still in place?

Any help would be appreciated.

Bill

 

[ManAtArms]

Hi Bill,

I always changed the fluid when I changed the filters. However, even with all the fluid drained out, the filters still leak out quite a bit. Yes, the filters can be removed and replaced with the plate installed. It's a messy job!

-Mark

According to my manual I am suppose to change the engine filter, engine oil, transmission filter, and hydraulic filters (2) at 50 hours. Since I had read on other posts that the 50 hour service was so expensive partially due to the replacement of all the filters, the engine oil, and the transmission/hydraulic oil, I stopped by the dealer to confirm the tran/hyd oil did not have to be replaced at 50 hours. The dealer parts counter staff confirmed this. Just to be safe, I went back to the service counter and asked the same question there. They also confirmed that the tran/hyd fluid did not have to be changed with the filters at 50 hours. I also asked the tech if when I unscrewed the tran/hyd filters was oil going to pour out. The tech said that some would come out but it would not be very much especially if I'm ready to put the replacements on quickly.

I changed the engine oil and engine filter...no problem.

I changed the tran filter and a little oil did come out but it stopped and I got the filter on...no problem.

Then I came to the hydraulic filters. I loosened one and then the other to be ready for removal and replacement as quick as possible. As soon as I unscrewed the first one a little more, oil began pouring out. It also seemed that it was not slowing down, so much so that I felt like since I had to remove and replace two of them there was no way in *!##*!! it was not all going to drain out. There was enough oil that the filter was completely covered which, of course, made it difficult to hand tighten back up.

Obvious first question: Has anyone else changed the hydraulic filters without draining the oil? Maybe I'm overreacting to someones definition of "a little oil will come out" but the amount made no sense to me.

Second question: The hydraulic filters have a protective plate bolted (attached to the frame)on underneath them. I was concerned that the plate would block removal of the filters but since the manual said nothing about the plate needing removal, I went ahead and started. I did not get far enough to confirm there was no need to remove the plate. Can anyone confirm for me the hyd filters will come off with the plate still in place?

Any help would be appreciated.

Bill

 

[Bill in VA]

Thanks Mark

I believe the system is designed intentionally for the fluid and hydraulic filters to be changed at the same time. Somewhere along the line they decided that it was okay for the fluid to stay until 200 hours but the design stayed the same.

I've decided I'm going to change the oil too. back to spend another $$$$ but i think I'll be better off.

My reaction was the same the first time I tried to grout tile.

Anyway I appreciate the response, thank you.

Bill

 

[TripleR]

I spoke with our dealer about this and was told their technician could do a filter swap and only lose about a quart. I would love to see that one.:laughing:

 

[SkipTowne]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for asking my question for me Bill. And thanks for the feedback Mark. i am about to embark on this for the first time myself (200 hour service; Engine Oil & Filter + Hyd Filter + Trans Filter).

We had the dealer do the 50 hour service and they charged us for replacing the hyd/trans oil (12+ gallons) at that time. Our experience was like many others' at 50 hours... OUCH:dollarsign::dollarsign::dollarsign:!!!

The service manual says the first time the hyd/trans oil is supposed to be changed is at 400 hours. The procedure for changing the trans filter is under the 200 hour section. It says to drain all the oil. The procedure for changing the hydraulic filter is included in the 400 hour hyd/trans oil-change section. So, after some head scratching , i went and talked to the dealer...

The mechanic said you can change the filters without draining the oil. If you move very quickly it will be messy. If you pause, hesitate, or otherwise move slowly, it's gonna be a BIG MESS! He said it is cleaner to drain the oil into CLEAN 5 gallon buckets and re-use it. He recommends straining it thru paint strainers when you pour it back into the case. i have decided to drain & re-use the oil. Will post back with results after a few hours of service.

Since i know this guy was the mechanic on our 50-hr service, i asked him if he changed the hyd/trans oil then. He said he doesn't recall specifically, but that it is their general practice to do so. i find this wasteful, unnecessarily expensive and bad for the environment. Heads-up to others out there who take their machines to the dealer for the 50 + 200 hour services... Kubota Factory says hyd/trans oil replacement is not necessary on the M59 until 400 hours! Don't get ripped off!

-----------------------------
Best wishes to everyone,
~skip

:newhere:

 

[gwdixon]

Heads-up to others out there who take their machines to the dealer for the 50 + 200 hour services... Kubota Factory says hyd/trans oil replacement is not necessary on the M59 until 400 hours! Don't get ripped off!

-----------------------------
Best wishes to everyone,
~skip

:newhere:

Gee, I wonder if the dealership makes more money on HST repairs or on selling oil. I think I know the answer.

I change the oil since I'm not rich enough to "save the enviornment". What a bunch of hooey.

 

[TripleR]

We all do what we think is best based on our research and I am sure not going to get involved in that one. My Service Manager told me the same thing as was told to Skip Towne.

I am beginning to think about the possibility of going with synthetic; just don't know.

 

[avc8130]

Gee, I wonder if the dealership makes more money on HST repairs or on selling oil. I think I know the answer.

I change the oil since I'm not rich enough to "save the enviornment". What a bunch of hooey.

I'd bet my tractor that the dealership makes more money selling oil than on HST repairs.

They sell oil like its going out of style doing 50, 200, 400, etc hour changes.

HST repairs? Luckily for us, very few and very far between.

ac

 

[oosik]

I do all my own service. The 50 hour service was "oily" - material cost was $525 because I changes all oils/grease etc and all filters. Other than that I change engine oil & filter and air filters annually at a cost of around $100. My OP manual indicates my next hydraulic/tranny oil change at 600 hours.

 

[woodchuckie]

I parked my tractor on 45 degree slant with the filter up hill. The only oil I lost was what was in the old filter.