UDT - SUDT - another brand

[Adryan]

I know this has been discussed many times...

I changed the factory transmission oil in my BX2660. After searching the web I found many sources for the oil

Kubota...UDT (but they dont produce it)
Shell...Spirax S4 TXM
Q8...T2200
BP...Vanellis

the factories all have a web app. were you can enter the brand/type of the tractor, and come up with an advice using theire own oil.
I would think the big oil companies know what they are doing, not?


finally obtained local some Shell Spirax S4 TXM, so far so good...

 

[Volfandt]

This should start a good discussion

Bottom line, as long as the hydraulic oil meets UDT spec's it shouldn't tear your HST up.
Course UDT spec's are "baseline" for the BX series as Kubota has spec'ed SUDT (and now SUDT2) for them.
Basic difference between UDT & SUDT is UDT is a straight 20w whereas SUDT is a 10w20 multigrade - hense better flow in cold & hot temps....

Theres been many the poster that has used other brands with differing results.
The TSC branded oil(s) have given mixed reviews. They work and so far haven't caused any mechanical issues but many have reported that their HST's whined louder and performance was worse. A change back to OEM SUDT quieted them down.

Chevron makes a high priced Syn hydraulic oil that meets/exceeds SUDT spec's and those that have used it have given it great reviews. Same for the AMSOil equivilent. But, both are more expensive than SUDT(SUDT2).

Goodluck w/your choice. Perhaps you can share a review or two about it.
Dave

 

[TripleR]

I have run several different brands in two different BXs and our L5030; can't tell any difference. Our winters are fairly mild, so in extreme cold I might take a different approach.

 

[gwdixon]

The main difference that I've found in hydraulic oil is that the cheaper ones seem to thin out too much when they get hot.

Tried some Tractor Supply "Premium" oil in my L48 backhoe. It was fine at the start of a job. But when the work was really put to the backhoe the pump would act like the thinner oil caused "cavitation" and the boom would stutter. The cylinder would be quite hot.

The same kind of thing happened on my M7040 when hot. The hydraulic clutch would become more "grabby".

The little BX2200 would make quite a bit more noise and the hydraulics seemed slower. But they are slow anyway at low RPM so it may be just my imagination.

Using New Holland, Case, and Kubota hydraulic oils have eliminated the problems. I favor an oil designed for tractors. The other major brands, like Chevron, Shell, AMSoil, etc. are probably fine also.

None of the above comments are scientifically based - just observations.

 

[Adryan]

The Shell oil is a 10W30 multigrade oil.
I haven't noticed any change in performance so far.
For the whining I think I have a solution.
On the BX the whining is amplified by the ROPS. I have the idea of putting PU-foam inside of it. Just drilling some holes at the base plate and injecting the foam. .....good idea?

 

[rambler]

So, you want a 'color war' on type of hyd fluid to use, and in the same thread you want to start a discussion on the merrits of drilling holes in a ROPS and voiding the liabilty of it by modifying it????



Oh my, you are a pot stirrer!!!!



So, which pickup is the best, might as well hit every sore topic!

All in good fun.

--->Paul

 

[JRobyn]

Is 10-30 or 10-40 engine oil better?

;-)

 

[Adryan]

sorry,

don't want to start a oil war...
Dave asked me to share my experience with the Shell oil.

Only reason I bought it is because I can't get any Kubota UDT local....
I'm just a bit confussed why people say you have to use Kubota UDT, since you can find the correct oil type (I think) on the Chevron/Shell/BP web sites,once you enter you're tractor.

and Paul....sorry for trying to solve the whining..
won't happen again...

 

[rambler]

You know I'm smiling ear to ear, for sure all in good fun and kidding.

I run 3 different brands of tractors on my farm some are from the 1940's and some are from the 1990's. They all can share hydraulic implements so they all basically have the same hyd oil from the fleet & Farm store, whatever Universal Trans-Hyd fluid they sell. I'm just sure to always get the stuff compatable with trannies, as some of the tractors have the common sump.

Anyhow, I talked to the ag dealer about changing my hyd oil in my (then) 15 year old tractor, he looked at me like I had grown another head, and said you know that takes 8 gallons, we just change filters regularly???? Learned my lesson 20 years ago from the experienced older dealer..... Tractor still has 35 year old hyd oil in it, tho a blown hose got a fair share of it replaced with new a few years ago.

So, I wouldn't even get excited about changing the hyd oil to begin with, and for sure I'd use a compatable, bulk hyd-tran oil that is cheaper than the dealer offers.

But - my farm experiences don't often translate well to homestead owners with 10 acres and a new compact tractor, so what I do or feel often is on the 'wrong' side of things like this.

Myself, I'd be just fine with the oil you got.

And I sure enjoyed the smile you gave me, please continue.

Oh - there have been long debates in the past on whether drilling a hole - any hole any size - in a ROPS causes a liabilty issue, voids any insurance claim, etc. So that's what I thought of when you talked of putting the foam in holes you drill.... I'm not sure what the foam would do, I'd look for loose bolts, or getting a gasket material clamped under the ROPS mounts, or some such? Aside from the hole/liability issue, foam can sometimes seal water into places it shouldn't be, and cause rust over a decade of sitting. At first brush I'm not keen on the foam doing any good, but I might not understand the situation.

--->Paul

 

[corey9212]

I read somewhere on the forums (I can't remember where) but it talks about the BX's running at higher RPMs than other tractors therefor producing more heat than usual in the Hydraulics. And something about kubota's SUDT can stand up to the extreme heat and not break down as easily. I will try to search for that thread and post it if I find it but I was in the same boat of why not use another Hydraulic fluid than Kubota's and when I read that post it has been Premium UDT (Canadian Brand) ever since.