Trans hydraulic fluid for B1400

[Carl in France]

Hello all,

I have an old Kubota B1400 and have a question about the transmission oil.
The manual states to use UDT but this is an arse to get round here. I do however have plenty of EP 80w90 in the barn and was wondering if this could be used as a trans hydraulic fluid in the little tractor?
Temperature here is always above freezing when i am using it.

I am always a bit confused about oils so if any kind soul does answer please reply 'as to a child'!

Cheers all.

 

[mcfarmall]

80w90 should not be used in any hydraulic system! I would be more inclined to use a locally available "universal trans/hydraulic" fluid in that tractor.

 

[Carl in France]

80w90 should not be used in any hydraulic system! I would be more inclined to use a locally available "universal trans/hydraulic" fluid in that tractor.

Cheers mcfarmall, i will get hunting for some.

 

[GeoHorn]

Carl, you don’t state WHY you wish to acquire hydraulic / transmission oil. Are you only wanting to replenish or “top off” the transmission? Or are you draining the transmission completely and replacing the oil entirely?

The advice you get on-line is worth what you pay for it.
What are you willing to pay to replace your tractor if some unknown brand/specification universal tractor fluid damages your B1400?

I’m willing to bet you can special order UDT or SUDT which is what your B1400 should have.
It will be “cheap” compared to the damage improper fluid may cause.
(At the very least, if you select another brand or type of fluid... be certain that it will claim to be equivalent to Kubota UDT.). IMO (and worth what you’ve paid for it.)

 

[mcfarmall]

I remember years ago when I was changing the transmission fluid in my 2003 Honda Odyssey and all the forum gurus warned me that if I didn't use genuine Honda ATF that I would live to regret it. I used Valvoline Max Life ATF and the Ody is still going strong at 274,556 miles so......

 

[GeoHorn]

I remember years ago when I was changing the transmission fluid in my 2003 Honda Odyssey and all the forum gurus warned me that if I didn't use genuine Honda ATF that I would live to regret it. I used Valvoline Max Life ATF and the Ody is still going strong at 274,556 miles so......

Yes... that is because ATF fluid is engineered to a universal specification which is published for all to observe and know. Tractor hydraulic Fluid is not... If Kubota would publish the exact specification they require for their tractors.... oil suppliers could meet that spec. They do it for motor oil. They do it for gear oil. They just haven’t given us the specs for their hyd oil other than to say Kubota brands.
This results in us only being able to guarantee that Kubota hyd oil meets Kubota specs.

 

[Carl in France]

Well oddly enough i had to go to the crematorium today and on the way back saw a farm shop with a Kubota sign on the side.
Popped in and got their last 5l can, problem solved.

Thank you guys for your replies.

 

[JosephGozo]

Well oddly enough i had to go to the crematorium today and on the way back saw a farm shop with a Kubota sign on the side.
Popped in and got their last 5l can, problem solved.

Thank you guys for your replies.

Hello all,

I have an old Kubota B1400 and have a question about the transmission oil.
The manual states to use UDT but this is an arse to get round here. I do however have plenty of EP 80w90 in the barn and was wondering if this could be used as a trans hydraulic fluid in the little tractor?
Temperature here is always above freezing when i am using it.

I am always a bit confused about oils so if any kind soul does answer please reply 'as to a child'!

Cheers all.

View attachment 58880

What year is your model?

I have a b7001 which I have rebuilt/refreshed two or three years ago (all bearings and seals at axle ends were replaced. I did use CASTROL universal tractor oil in it in before the rebuild. It leaked badly from the diff since bearings, seals and faces were getting worn. When I rebuilt it I poured in 80w90.

I went for this grade since Malta is warm place and the tractor is worked "hard" during tillage, ploughing and during the hay season operating a small baler-where bales are tightly packed. I am not sure if and how I am damaging the pump... The tractor's hydraulic system is used to lift implements and occasionally tip the trailer and open the baler door during hay season. All seems to work fine so far.

I am attaching a piece of the manual which states SAE 80 can be used in the gearbox upon certain reasons. (warm climate and hard work is what helped me make up my mind. It needs a new drain. It has been in for 2 years now! I have read not long ago that instead of SAE80 you can use 70w80 as it thins to SAE80 levels when hot.

 

[Carl in France]

Joseph gozo, thank you, that is interesting thank you.
I have the UDT now as i need to top up but i will keep this in mind. Cheers.

 

[JosephGozo]

Joseph gozo, thank you, that is interesting thank you.
I have the UDT now as i need to top up but i will keep this in mind. Cheers.

Sadly 80w90 is thick and I am a bit worried it might have damaged the pump. I did a reading not long ago about how the correct alternative for SAE80 is 70w80. Good that you found your UDT.