fluid for front axle case Kubota L 3130

[tick magnet]

The owner's manual says I can use either UDT fluid or SAE 80-90 gear oil, with a capacity of about 7 quarts. My tractor has about 2300 mostly trouble-free hours and is 22 years old. I've always had a little UDT fluid that drips out of the left front axle area. It's low, so I have to top it off with UDT fluid, which is what I've always used, but I am wondering if switching to gear oil might be a better option for me. I'm thinking it's a bit heavier than UDT fluid and might fix the drip, drip. My understanding is that the front axle and gears are isolated from the UDT fluid I use for the hydrostatic transmission and rear differential, which is why the manual offers the option.

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[tick magnet]

The owner's manual says I can use either UDT fluid or SAE 80-90 gear oil, with a capacity of about 7 quarts. My tractor has about 2300 mostly trouble-free hours and is 22 years old. I've always had a little UDT fluid that drips out of the left front axle area. It's low, so I have to top it off with UDT fluid, which is what I've always used, but I am wondering if switching to gear oil might be a better option for me. I'm thinking it's a bit heavier than UDT fluid and might fix the drip, drip. My understanding is that the front axle and gears are isolated from the UDT fluid I use for the hydrostatic transmission and rear differential, which is why the manual offers the option.

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yes, you can try it.
Better option, replace the seals that are leaking.

 

[GeoHorn]

When my left front bevel-case began to leak…. I replaced the seal myself as it was not rocket science. (although I learned that seal is not as simple as I thought either… it’s a fairly sophisticated combo seal)…. then I filled the front axle with 80W90.

All is still happy 3 years later.

(Here’s where I posted my experience: https://www.orangetractortalks.com/...-case-oil-seal-replacement.56731/#post-536520 )

 

[Trash Panda]

Changing fluid types will not fix a leaking seal for the same reasons that all the various “mechanic in a can” products aren’t a solution to any problem.

Fix the seal, and then you can fill it with either. I personally run whatever product I have sitting leftover on my shelf from other projects. This last go-around, it was some SUDT2, but I absolutely would have had no problem running gear oil if I had the requisite amount sitting around.