GST in Cold Climate - hesitation moving when first started?

BT3101

Active member

Equipment
L3130 GST, FEL, Taylor Way BH W/Subframe, Rotary Cutter, Pallet Forks
Mar 20, 2016
49
108
33
Evansville, IN, USA
Hey all,

I have a 2006 L3101 with GST. Great tractor. Owned it since 2007. Every Winter when the temp is below about 30F the tractor doesn't want to move at first. 2nd gen Dodge Ram2500 diesels w/auto do the same thing (I own one). Friend retired from Fedex said same drivetrain in all their trucks back then and they used to sit at warehouse and rev like fools until they'd move.

This happens even after a 5-minute warmup. Tractor is inside unheated shed. Also, I can hear an engagement sound (solenoid activation?) just before it does eventually move. The same hesitation will occur once moving but shift gear to gear until some warming occurs.

I do not have Kubota brand hydraulic fluid (please no lectures) in it presently, but I have changed it twice in the 850-hour life of the tractor. Other than this cold weather lag the trans works fine the rest of the year.

Do others experience this shift lag until warm? If not, are you running Kubota brand hydro fluid or brand??? Did you try anything else before and had issues?

FYI, I tried the search function. If anybody knows of another like thread, just link it. Thanks.
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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Lifetime Member

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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
31,488
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113
Sandpoint, ID
Hey all,

I have a 2006 L3101 with GST. Great tractor. Owned it since 2007. Every Winter when the temp is below about 30F the tractor doesn't want to move at first. 2nd gen Dodge Ram2500 diesels w/auto do the same thing (I own one). Friend retired from Fedex said same drivetrain in all their trucks back then and they used to sit at warehouse and rev like fools until they'd move.

This happens even after a 5-minute warmup. Tractor is inside unheated shed. Also, I can hear an engagement sound (solenoid activation?) just before it does eventually move. The same hesitation will occur once moving but shift gear to gear until some warming occurs.

I do not have Kubota brand hydraulic fluid (please no lectures) in it presently, but I have changed it twice in the 850-hour life of the tractor. Other than this cold weather lag the trans works fine the rest of the year.

Do others experience this shift lag until warm? If not, are you running Kubota brand hydro fluid or brand??? Did you try anything else before and had issues?

FYI, I tried the search function. If anybody knows of another like thread, just link it. Thanks.

You my friend suffer from too thick of hydraulic fluid.

Kubota SUDT2 is one choice.
I go a different route and go Mystik JT-5
And yes I have a GST.
 
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BT3101

Active member

Equipment
L3130 GST, FEL, Taylor Way BH W/Subframe, Rotary Cutter, Pallet Forks
Mar 20, 2016
49
108
33
Evansville, IN, USA
You my friend suffer from too thick of hydraulic fluid.

Kubota SUDT2 is one choice.
I go a different route and go Mystik JT-5
And yes I have a GST.
Yeah, I figured as much but just thought as with my truck, that maybe it was just a characteristic of the GST. Since I don't know anyone else with one, thought I'd ask here.
Thanks for the expert feedback. You give a lot of good advice on here. Much appreciated.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
12,376
5,356
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
5 minutes isn't really a 'warmup', bet the temp gauge doesn't even move ?
I remote start my truck, set for 15 minutes, and can drive away like 'normal'.
Kinda cringe when I see /hear about people hopping in, start and then drive away...chug,chug,chug..
 
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Selkirk_D

Member

Equipment
Kubota L2850DT-GST
Dec 5, 2024
50
19
8
Northern Idaho
Ram truck: if 727, A500, 46/47 RE or RH, warm up in neutral so fluid circulates through all the clutch packs
 
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skeets

Well-known member

Equipment
BX 2360 /B2601
Oct 2, 2009
14,711
3,595
113
SW Pa
Just MHO, go out start it, go back in have a cup of coffee chat with the better half, check OTT , then go out and play.
 
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BT3101

Active member

Equipment
L3130 GST, FEL, Taylor Way BH W/Subframe, Rotary Cutter, Pallet Forks
Mar 20, 2016
49
108
33
Evansville, IN, USA
You my friend suffer from too thick of hydraulic fluid.

Kubota SUDT2 is one choice.
I go a different route and go Mystik JT-5
And yes I have a GST.
Just checked with O'reilly Auto parts and they have Mystik JT5 for $99/5 gallon. I'll give that a try.
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
31,488
7,295
113
Sandpoint, ID
Just checked with O'reilly Auto parts and they have Mystik JT5 for $99/5 gallon. I'll give that a try.
Drain all 3 or 5 drains (depending on variant).
Replace your filters at the same time too.
 
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unioncreek

Member

Equipment
Kubota L3710 GST
Nov 1, 2023
50
5
8
WA
Ram truck: if 727, A500, 46/47 RE or RH, warm up in neutral so fluid circulates through all the clutch packs
Can vouch for this. I have a L3710 GST and I let it warm up for at least 20 minutes. It will still be sluggish, I use it but take it easy until it acts normal.

own a Ram with a Cummins also and yes you have to let it warm up in neutral.