I recently purchased a couple Kubota L185DT tractors which I have been going through with maintenance and repairs as time and money permit. The transmission fluid in both looks a bit milky and it probably wouldn't hurt to replace it along with a filter cleaning. One of these tractors has a loader on it. I believe the transmission fluid doubles for hydraulic fluid? The manual says use SAE 80 oil. Is the modern transmission/hydraulic fluids for tractors the way to go or what exactly should I purchase for a product?
Changing Transmission Fluid in a L185DT
- Thread starter CoosCanoe
- Start date
Russell King
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Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Use a UDT type fluid. I personally use Traveler brand like this but there are a bunch of options that are similar. Just don’t use a fluid that is “303” fluid of any type - it is supposedly junk these days.
The fluid is probably milky due to water getting into the transmission through the gear shift levers. I keep mine covered and no longer have milky colored fluid.
There are drains on the bottom of the transmission and lower drains on the lower inside wall of the rear wheel drive enclosures. They all drain the transmission sump that is also the rear axle lubricant and the hydraulic fluid pumped by the tractor engine mounted pump.
There is a screen strainer inside the transmission at the fluid suction line. It is removed from the opposite side of the tractor as the pump and suction line. It is in the same position but opposite side as the suction line connection point on the transmission case. There is a cover with two bolts and a bump. There are o-ring(s?) and a spring under the cover so be expecting them to fall out. You will probably have to grab the end of the screen with small needle nose pliers to get it to slide out. If the muffler and tailpipe are down there, they are in the way a little bit. Screen can be cleaned unless it is damaged or missing.
Since you have a DT you need to change the fluid in the front axle also and can use the same UDT type oil.
Since you asked about the FEL it may use the tractor sump as the fluid source or it could use a separate pump mounted at the front of the tractor and use a fluid reservoir on the FEL, usually in the FEL tower. Follow the hoses from the FEL valve to see where they go.
If you have other questions about it, just ask.
The fluid is probably milky due to water getting into the transmission through the gear shift levers. I keep mine covered and no longer have milky colored fluid.
There are drains on the bottom of the transmission and lower drains on the lower inside wall of the rear wheel drive enclosures. They all drain the transmission sump that is also the rear axle lubricant and the hydraulic fluid pumped by the tractor engine mounted pump.
There is a screen strainer inside the transmission at the fluid suction line. It is removed from the opposite side of the tractor as the pump and suction line. It is in the same position but opposite side as the suction line connection point on the transmission case. There is a cover with two bolts and a bump. There are o-ring(s?) and a spring under the cover so be expecting them to fall out. You will probably have to grab the end of the screen with small needle nose pliers to get it to slide out. If the muffler and tailpipe are down there, they are in the way a little bit. Screen can be cleaned unless it is damaged or missing.
Since you have a DT you need to change the fluid in the front axle also and can use the same UDT type oil.
Since you asked about the FEL it may use the tractor sump as the fluid source or it could use a separate pump mounted at the front of the tractor and use a fluid reservoir on the FEL, usually in the FEL tower. Follow the hoses from the FEL valve to see where they go.
If you have other questions about it, just ask.
Kubota dropped the gear oil recommendation decades ago and now recommends universal tractor transmission fluid. In those tractors any decent quality brand will be just fine and better than the SAE 80 gear oil.
Dan
North Idaho Wolfman
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L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
The loader might have its own fluid supply, depends on the loader and how it it's plumbed.
Is there a hydraulic pump on the front of the tractor?
Is there a hydraulic pump on the front of the tractor?
This loader is plumbed from the tractor hydraulics. The lines connect on the top/side of the transmission above the four wheel drive shifter.
Russell King
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Would you please post a picture of the connections for future reference (and to satisfy my curiosity)?
North Idaho Wolfman
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Yes, that is how they are connected. The other L185DT that I have also had a loader on it at one time but it was plumbed farther back on the line where the metal hydraulic line crossed over the top of the transmission. The connecter box is still there but has plugs in it. The previous owner had removed the loader as it did not suit his needs and he already had other equipment he could use with a loader on it.
Russell King
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
You may want to verify that other tractor got the original cover put back on it and not just plugs put in the adapter block (shown above).
The original cover allows the fluid to flow through it, so is really just an odd looking piece of pipe. The adapter block diverts the flow like installing two elbows, one on each side of a cut in a pipe. (See post #1 in this thread for an illustration of how the fluid flows through both covers).
www.orangetractortalks.com
I doubt there is a problem if there is just one pipe plug and if the three point hitch is working properly. But if there is more than one plug in the block and no hydraulic power then I would be concerned that the pump has been damaged (due to deadheading the pump).
The original cover allows the fluid to flow through it, so is really just an odd looking piece of pipe. The adapter block diverts the flow like installing two elbows, one on each side of a cut in a pipe. (See post #1 in this thread for an illustration of how the fluid flows through both covers).
B7100 Hydraulic block diverter (70060-00360 or 70070-00385)
Back in stock. CDN$40 plus actual shipping These are obsolete and no longer available. I have recently been contacted by a member asking if I will make him one of these after reading how I made mine. I know this comes up from time to time and would like to gauge the interest others might have...
www.orangetractortalks.com
I doubt there is a problem if there is just one pipe plug and if the three point hitch is working properly. But if there is more than one plug in the block and no hydraulic power then I would be concerned that the pump has been damaged (due to deadheading the pump).