Why SUDT???

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

When I tool delivery of my Kubota I was given a free gallon of SUDT but told any Hydralic Fluid will work fine.

First fluid change was at about 300 hours. I used the economy fluid from Tractor Supply Company. That was about three months ago I Probably have 100 hours on the machine since the fluid change with no problems.

What are other Kubota owners experiencing? Is there any actual advantage to the SUDT?

 

[PERCTK]

Not sure why they would give you a free gallon of hydraulic oil with the purchase of a tractor. Did they expect it to leak or did they not top of the fliuds prior to delivery? And did you need any of that gallon in the first 300 hours?
They also gave you SUDT, not just any oil.
The next question I checked in my operators manual and I changed my oil at the 50 hour mark, I was told by my local dealer that all Kubotas are delivered from the factory with Super UDT and that if I wanted it to run the same as when I got it I should use the same oil. That was what they used with the exception of some of the gear drive tractors.
I only have 9K in my little Bota, I would assume that one of those Grand L's is in the 20K range. The last place I would short change myself would be in the oil for the hydro, I think I would cough up the extra dough for the SUDT next time.
Did You change the filters with Kubota filters, or something else?

 

[radioman]

SUDT is better suited in colder climates. There were a couple tbn'ers who swear there is less whine in colder temps with SUDT.

 

[James Loehr]

After making a large investment on a new Kubota I would not go on the cheap using off brand fluids in the machine. If something fails during the warranty I would hate to make an argument with fluids from tractor supply or any other source. these Kubota fluids are expensive but cheap insurance if any problems come up.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Using anything but SUDT is becomming more of a risk all the time. Stuff like the RTV's and ZD's are very picky about their trans fluids and don't run as well with other stuff. The service intervals on the newer equipment are also speciflying SUDT only. The oil changes are now twice as long as what they had been when they okayed UDT or SUDT. If your not running SUDT, I'd be changing the transmission oil twice as often.

 

[Deano]

After making a large investment on a new Kubota I would not go on the cheap using off brand fluids in the machine. If something fails during the warranty I would hate to make an argument with fluids from tractor supply or any other source. these Kubota fluids are expensive but cheap insurance if any problems come up.

This statement is exactly how I feel...

Deano

 

[big bubba]

there's a lengthy discussion on UDT/SUDT on the oils/lubricants discussion on this forum, about halfway down. worth checking out. personally...I can't understand why owners try to save a few dollars on machines they just spent megabucks on. strictly from a warranty viewpoint, I'd stay with the K brand at least....I have read several times the SUDT does best in extreme cold climate use. why not call K central on this? bb

 

[DickS]

Everybody seems to have a favorite. Mine is:

Schaeffer Lubricants | Pure Synthetic Oil

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

What constitutes a "Cheap Oil" How many companies make Hydralic oil? Kubota doesn't. They just have an oil company put their label on the package.

I'm employed in the manufacturing industry. We produce product in packaging with our name as well as private label. The same product is made at the same time, it's just a matter of changing the packaging.

I've run 100s of thousands of miles on vehicles changing my own oil...always use the cheapest oil available...never had an engine issue.

I'll pay for quality if it's there...but I won't be the victim of marketing hype.

Again...why use SUDT? What specifically makes it better than the Tractor Supply Company "Traveler" brand?

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

Not sure why they would give you a free gallon of hydraulic oil with the purchase of a tractor. Did they expect it to leak or did they not top of the fliuds prior to delivery? And did you need any of that gallon in the first 300 hours?
They also gave you SUDT, not just any oil.
The next question I checked in my operators manual and I changed my oil at the 50 hour mark, I was told by my local dealer that all Kubotas are delivered from the factory with Super UDT and that if I wanted it to run the same as when I got it I should use the same oil. That was what they used with the exception of some of the gear drive tractors.
I only have 9K in my little Bota, I would assume that one of those Grand L's is in the 20K range. The last place I would short change myself would be in the oil for the hydro, I think I would cough up the extra dough for the SUDT next time.
Did You change the filters with Kubota filters, or something else?

With the cab and front snowblower $29,000...my gift to myself when I paid off my mortgage!

 

[la200o]

What constitutes a "Cheap Oil" How many companies make Hydralic oil? Kubota doesn't. They just have an oil company put their label on the package.

I'm employed in the manufacturing industry. We produce product in packaging with our name as well as private label. The same product is made at the same time, it's just a matter of changing the packaging.

I've run 100s of thousands of miles on vehicles changing my own oil...always use the cheapest oil available...never had an engine issue.

I'll pay for quality if it's there...but I won't be the victim of marketing hype.

Again...why use SUDT? What specifically makes it better than the Tractor Supply Company "Traveler" brand?

I think Tug Hill makes a good point. Does anyone really know why SUDT is better?

I own a Hustler ZTR mower and they sell something called "Super Oil." If you use it for your oil changes--at I kid you not about $12 a quart--you can extend your warranty. Now I have no doubt that this is just rebranded oil produced by another company and that there's nothing "super" about it.

I'm not saying that SUDT is a scam, but I do think it's legit to ask just what the difference is between it and cheaper fluids.

Bill

 

[LBrown59]

When I tool delivery of my Kubota I was given a free gallon of SUDT but told any Hydralic Fluid will work fine.

*First fluid change was at about 300 hours. I used the economy fluid from Tractor Supply Company. That was about three months ago I Probably have 100 hours on the machine since the fluid change with no problems.

What are other Kubota owners experiencing? Is there any actual advantage to the SUDT?

There was a recent thread where a guy destroyed his nearly new tractor by using cheap wrong Hst fluid.
*First fluid change should have been done at 50 hours.
I would not want to take a chance on buying a used tractor with that fluid change history.

 

[Sully2]

What constitutes a "Cheap Oil" How many companies make Hydralic oil? Kubota doesn't. They just have an oil company put their label on the package.

I'm employed in the manufacturing industry. We produce product in packaging with our name as well as private label. The same product is made at the same time, it's just a matter of changing the packaging.

I've run 100s of thousands of miles on vehicles changing my own oil...always use the cheapest oil available...never had an engine issue.

I'll pay for quality if it's there...but I won't be the victim of marketing hype.

Again...why use SUDT? What specifically makes it better than the Tractor Supply Company "Traveler" brand?

Of the 3 Kubota dealers nearest me ( within 30 miles) 2 of them dont even stock SUDT and if you request it..they have to order it in! The 3rd does stock it but says the only place they absolutely recommend it is in the trannys of the smaller ( BX series) of Kubota's...NOT in the B's like mine and above.

When queried about what to put in the front axle...2 said UDT and the 3rd said 80-90 weight gear oil??

Confused slightly at the time..I called a Kubota dealer in NY that I was told about by a friend. That dealer told me for the tranny to use UDT...for the front axle...to use EITHER UDT or "gear lube"..????

 

[LBrown59]

I think Tug Hill makes a good point. Does anyone really know why SUDT is better?

I own a Hustler ZTR mower and they sell something called "Super Oil." If you use it for your oil changes--at I kid you not about $12 a quart--you can extend your warranty. Now I have no doubt that this is just rebranded oil produced by another company and that there's nothing "super" about it.

I'm not saying that SUDT is a scam, but I do think it's legit to ask just what the difference is between it and cheaper fluids.

Bill

My question always is why risk a 20 or 30 thousand tractor to save 50 cents on a quart of oil?
One guy on the board did that recently and lost when it destroyed his nearly new tractor.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Kubota does not dig for oil... all these companies buy from an oil manufacturer. They don't however buy the same oil and slap different stickers on it. The mix and additive package of these oils is very thought out, and very different brand from brand. I once sat in on an hour long presentation on the 30-years of work New Holland has done on their 134A hydraulic fluid. Even today they continue research on it. Its good stuff... even so, if you dump it in a Kubota you can tell. It just does not run the same. It only makes sense to use the spec fluid the OEM designed their machines around.

As I said, this is going to become more and more of a problem... especialy where warrenty is concerned. In years past most tractors where okay'ed with UDT OR SUDT. Todays longer service intervals are spec'ed with SUDT only. I've only ever seen one private label oil thats meets SUDT specs.. thats it. Its fine to use any oil you want as long as it meets spec... problem is basicly nothing meets SUDT.

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

There was a recent thread where a guy destroyed his nearly new tractor by using cheap wrong Hst fluid.
*First fluid change should have been done at 50 hours.
I would not want to take a chance on buying a used tractor with that fluid change history.

Lucky for you it's not for sale

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

Kubota does not dig for oil... all these companies buy from an oil manufacturer. They don't however buy the same oil and slap different stickers on it. The mix and additive package of these oils is very thought out, and very different brand from brand. I once sat in on an hour long presentation on the 30-years of work New Holland has done on their 134A hydraulic fluid. Even today they continue research on it. Its good stuff... even so, if you dump it in a Kubota you can tell. It just does not run the same. It only makes sense to use the spec fluid the OEM designed their machines around.

As I said, this is going to become more and more of a problem... especialy where warrenty is concerned. In years past most tractors where okay'ed with UDT OR SUDT. Todays longer service intervals are spec'ed with SUDT only. I've only ever seen one private label oil thats meets SUDT specs.. thats it. Its fine to use any oil you want as long as it meets spec... problem is basicly nothing meets SUDT.

So has Kubota created a spec strictly to enable them to make money selling petroleum?

I'm not trying to save $.50 here. I'm trying to gather facts to ensure I'm not wasting money.

To read that there are Kubota dealers that do not stock SUDT to me speaks volumes.

 

[big bubba]

Mr THA: as I mentioned, there's an extensive discussion on your question on the fuels/lubricants discussion of this forum regarding UDT/SUDT. in regards to your last comment, I really see no point in being defensive....after all, you are the one who posted the question and should be able to accept all comments within the protocol of this forum. good luck, respectfully, bb

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

Mr THA: as I mentioned, there's an extensive discussion on your question on the fuels/lubricants discussion of this forum regarding UDT/SUDT. in regards to your last comment, I really see no point in being defensive....after all, you are the one who posted the question and should be able to accept all comments within the protocol of this forum. good luck, respectfully, bb

Thanks for the info....did not mean to be defensive...sometimes the written word doesn't properly express one's tone.

 

[TUG HILL ADDICT]

Just to point out this isn't about $.50...I'll share this from a post on the oils and lubricants thread:

It's time to change the HST fluid so I started reading up on all the posts about what's best. Decided to call the Kubota dealer and ask their price. Gal behind the counter told me roughly $75 per 5 gallon pail for UDT and about $145 for SUDT. She asked me if I was putting it in an excavator. She told me that only excavators required the SUDT. Then kinda quiet like she told me that she sends a lot of customers down to Car Quest to get their SUDT equivalent. She told me to tell the guy behind the counter that I was there to get some of the THF they sell to her company.

The L4330 takes 11 gallons...so the price difference is substantial.