Trans/hydraulic fluud

[Gordon Gould]

I have two gear drive ( NOT HST ) tractors. One 20 years old the other 10. I use Shell Rotella HD for tractor transmission fluid with a lot of winter use too. No problems. It's not the price. Rotella is available local.

gg

 

[fried1765]

I have two gear drive ( NOT HST ) tractors. One 20 years old the other 10. I use Shell Rotella HD for tractor transmission fluid with a lot of winter use too. No problems. It's not the price. Rotella is available local.

gg

I use TSC Traveller oil in my two older gear gear drive tractors!
My Kubota HST gets Kubota SUDT-2 fluid.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

For my Kubota BX 25,. 2011 vintage; I have used NAPA 85-405 Hydraulic oil since it was new and now have 1500 hours and no problems. NAPA with my military/fleet discount is less than half the price of K SUDT-2. During times of heavy use I change every 200 hours. Buy 5 gallons at a time. Use cans for waste oil after. Also use all NAPA filters plus DELO 400 LE 15-40 lube oil. NAPA Filter #s: Fuel 3032, 6449 Air, 7088 Transmission, 1358 Engine.

Since moving from the tree ranch I am not using it much. The 1500 hours was accumulated over 6 years.

Ron

 

[artf]

Can I use another brand UDT because it's [choice] 1) less expensive, 2)my favorite, 3)available locally, 4)somebody else uses it .... has been discussed forever on this and other forums.

Please use the UDT prescribed by the OEM in the manual for the model. Please change the UDT at prescribed intervals.

If you're not inclined to do this then answer the following question, "Why am I risking the transmission & hydraulics pumps on my $7500/$15000/$25000 tractor to save $50/$100/$150 every 250/400 hours?"

2nd question. How come the gents that use different UDT don't post here about the new and additional noises their tractor makes when switching UDT?

3rd question. How much am I lowering the transmission & hydraulics system life span by using different UDT?

You can always take a sample and have it submitted for testing at your local Caterpillar dealer for Oil Analysis and the test results will tell you if the UDT really needs replacement. Last time I checked, the test was $25, so it's probably $40 now.

Example of Fluid testing pricing

https://www.foleyinc.com/content/uploads/2020/05/Fluids-Lab-Pricing-compressed.pdf

 

[5030]

I have two gear drive ( NOT HST ) tractors. One 20 years old the other 10. I use Shell Rotella HD for tractor transmission fluid with a lot of winter use too. No problems. It's not the price. Rotella is available local.

gg

TSC carries it as well, in 5's.

For a hydrostat, I'd only use SUDT. Don't have any here. Rotella HD flows very well in cold weather as well.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Can I use another brand UDT because it's [choice] 1) less expensive, 2)my favorite, 3)available locally, 4)somebody else uses it .... has been discussed forever on this and other forums.

Please use the UDT prescribed by the OEM in the manual for the model. Please change the UDT at prescribed intervals.

If you're not inclined to do this then answer the following question, "Why am I risking the transmission & hydraulics pumps on my $7500/$15000/$25000 tractor to save $50/$100/$150 every 250/400 hours?"

2nd question. How come the gents that use different UDT don't post here about the new and additional noises their tractor makes when switching UDT?

3rd question. How much am I lowering the transmission & hydraulics system life span by using different UDT?

You can always take a sample and have it submitted for testing at your local Caterpillar dealer for Oil Analysis and the test results will tell you if the UDT really needs replacement. Last time I checked, the test was $25, so it's probably $40 now.

Example of Fluid testing pricing

https://www.foleyinc.com/content/uploads/2020/05/Fluids-Lab-Pricing-compressed.pdf

To me, this seems to be the best argument.
And the hassle of having to deal with a major repair if it does fail.

 

[5030]

I always do an oil analysis prior to change but I use Blackstone Labs.