Changing Hydraulic Filters

Ashtonglen

New member

Equipment
M7040DHC
Jun 10, 2010
3
0
0
Ottawa Ontario
I have an M7040DHC. The manual says to change the hydraulic filters every 300 hours and the hydraulic fluid every 600 hours. I am due to change the filters but not the fluid. The filters are located on the transmission housing underneath the tractor. My question is, when I spin off the old filters am I going to have gallons of fluid spill out unto the garage floor?
 

eserv

Well-known member

Equipment
BX24, A1000 Kubota Generator
May 27, 2009
2,140
139
63
Hardisty, Alberta
The filters are above the oil level in the transmission. you will have some spillage but not much.
Ed
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
Eserv is telling you right. You will loose some fluid so you need to be ready for that but it would be a big deal. When I did my 9000 I just barely cracked the seal on them a little and let the fluid come out slow at first so it would be easier to deal with and not go everywhere. It's not a big deal at all.
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
As it turns out, on my particular model 2007 M7040DHC 26 liters came out, which is near half the capacity.
I want to say that I'm sorry for the bad info. My 9000 doesn't do that at all and it just plain sucks that any model looses that much fluid during a simple filter change. Maybe next time I would try parking it on a bank with the filters to the upper side with the nose down hill as well so the fluid will be away from the filters. If that isn't possible I think I would just run the oil about 400 or 450 hrs and change it all out instead of dumping half the amount that the tractor holds back in on top of old oil. That is a bad design if they all do that.
 

KubotaTech

New member

Equipment
None- I get to play with everyone elses stuff
Apr 1, 2010
185
1
0
PA
Yeah, you lose a crapload of fluid, and there is no easy way to catch it. You can try to park it on a hill sideways but if you have to all but roll it to make it so you dont lose any. You are better off draining out some fluid into a clean bucket then changing the filters and adding the fluid back in.
 

eserv

Well-known member

Equipment
BX24, A1000 Kubota Generator
May 27, 2009
2,140
139
63
Hardisty, Alberta
Sorry about the bad advice!:eek: I went out and acually looked at a 7040 in the yard and, Yes, you will get very wet! Guess I was thinking of the larger M tractors! Again Sorry!
Ed
 

Joe Kelly

New member

Equipment
L5030
Sep 22, 2009
34
1
0
White Mountains, NH
I have to jump in here, that was quite the surprise! No warning in the owner's manual....I guess you are supposed to just know it!

I was planning on being "quick" and minimize my losses but as you know with spin on filters, once they get oily you lose traction and "quick" becomes impossible.

I bought a new oil pan to use exclusively for clean oil and keep it bagged in a plastic bag between uses to minimze contamination. I hate to put anything back IN the tractor that does not come new out of a new container, but as some one said, the design stinks....so wipe the area of the plug as clean as possible and collect the oil in a clean container for returning to the tractor.

Until UDT gets a lot less expensive, I can't afford to throw it out and put new in at the half way filter change time!
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
I don't like the high oil prices either but how much did the tractor cost? Is saving a few dollars in oil worth chancing the life of the tractor. Who knows, Maybe Kubota designed these certain models to loose oil for a reason. Maybe they need the clean oil added to the system to get them thru until the next change interval.
 

GWD

Member

Equipment
M7040, L48 TLB, BX2200
Jan 8, 2010
792
15
18
Northern California
I don't like the high oil prices either but how much did the tractor cost? Is saving a few dollars in oil worth chancing the life of the tractor. Who knows, Maybe Kubota designed these certain models to loose oil for a reason. Maybe they need the clean oil added to the system to get them thru until the next change interval.
I'm of the same opinion as Bulldog. The price of oil is peanuts compared to the price of the tractor or repairs to the tractor.

If the filter comes off the oil is changed right then - especially for the first "extended" break in period time (600 hrs). Maybe after 600 hours the oil MAY retain its lubricating abilities and wear inhibitors but it is not a chance I'm wiling to take. A tractor works hard, gets hot, and extreme forces are put on interior parts.

The UOA and synthetic oil people can chime in here and that is fine. I just like clean fresh oil for piece of mind if nothing else.
 

Amishkingpin

Member

Equipment
B7100 HST with FEL,Tiller,Rotary Mower and Box grader
Feb 19, 2009
71
0
6
Columbus, Ohio,USA
Update:

I can see where the love of these tractors for some will drive them to spend top dollar on their fluids but frankly, I don't have the extra cash to spend on BRAND names as Bulldog suggest to buy Hydra fluid that is way too expensive from the dealer. After watching and taking Vic's advice from his video - Titled: Kubota Hydraulic Oils Overview, he discusses using the Super Tech which to me seems to be very pratical and a good value. I orginally thought that the oil was causing the sound but after discussing the problem with a mechanic he thinks the issue is related to an air pocket in the FEL and Hydraulic system, not the quality of the fluid. It makes a lot of sense to me, since I don't hear this sound after the tractor has ran, shut off for an hour and then restarted. He suggest running the cylinders throught their full extentions until the air is out.

More to come...

AK
 

Bulldog

Well-known member

Equipment
M 9000 DTC, L 3000 DT
Mar 30, 2010
5,440
78
48
Rocky Face, Georgia
Hi Amishkingpin,

Believe me, I fully understand the excessive cost of oil and if I only looked at the initial price I would consider looking for a cheaper way out as well. The light at the end of the tunnel for me is that the Amsoil tractor/trans fluid that I use is rated for three times the rated oil change interval. It is even possible to extend that even futher by using Amsoil's oil analysis program. Keeping that in mind, that equals 60 gallons of oil that I don't have to buy and dispose of. Even more if I choose to use the oil analysis. My tractors run cooler and smoother than they ever possible with any other fluid out there. And I am getting the highest level of protection available. Saving the cost of one hydraulic pump will more than make up the difference in oil prices.
 

Will In Tx

New member

Equipment
L3400 HST/FEL, Box Blade, RTV 900 Camo, ZD323 Zreo Turn Pro Mower + More
Mar 21, 2010
303
2
0
Rosharon, TX. USA
Bulldog,
Hate to say this but running and working Kubota tractors don't like cheap oil or any thing cheap!!