Confusion on Hydro Fluid Change

[LarryBud]

I have a L3130. Tha manual calls for changing Hydralic Oil Filter and the Transmission Oil Filter ( I have a HST ) at 50, then 200 and every 200 there after.

It calls for chaning the transmission fluid at 50, then 400 and every 400 there after.

Sounds pretty clear but when your read the directions for changing the filters, it says to first drain the fluid, then change the filters, then refill. Do you refill with the old fluid or start fresh?

I currently have 217 hours on the machine ( new to me ). I see the Hydralic filter was changed at 176 hrs ( Jan, 2018 ) the Transmission Filter was changed at 125 hrs July, 2015. I suspect the fluid was done in July 2015.

I know this is a rookie question but do both the transmission, the 3 pt hitch and the FEL work off the same hydralic oil?

Finally, would you do any service to the above at this time? Hours are good but time since last service? 11 Gallons of Kubota oil will run me $550 alone, plus filters. Not an inexpensive decision.

 

[85Hokie]

Sounds pretty clear but when your read the directions for changing the filters, it says to first drain the fluid, then change the filters, then refill. Do you refill with the old fluid or start fresh?

Always start with fresh oil - never reuse oil



I currently have 217 hours on the machine ( new to me ). I see the Hydralic filter was changed at 176 hrs ( Jan, 2018 ) the Transmission Filter was changed at 125 hrs July, 2015. I suspect the fluid was done in July 2015.

Kinda strange that the TWO filters were not changed at same time - I would hope that the hydraulic oil was changed at one of those two points - either late on the hour meter or early on the meter



I know this is a rookie question but do both the transmission, the 3 pt hitch and the FEL work off the same hydralic oil?

YES - all 11.1 gallons of it!!!



Finally, would you do any service to the above at this time? Hours are good but time since last service? 11 Gallons of Kubota oil will run me $550 alone, plus filters. Not an inexpensive decision.


Personally - I would bite the bullet - since you have NO idea when the oil was changed - and the oil is the life blood of your machine - I would spend the bucks and get all changed and start a baseline.
Do the engine oil/filter yearly BTW

 

[LarryBud]

Thanks for taking the time to reply 85Hokie. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

So, if I follow the manual instructions for a filter change, I'm basically doing two filters and oil every 200.

I'll proabably bite the bullet and do it all. I didn't ask about the engine oil because I knew that answer and a filter/ oil change will happen in short order.

 

[D2Cat]

Larry, the hyd oil super LUDT2 is $103 for 5 gallons.

Changing the hyd oil every 200 hours seems too soon. I'd think at least 400.

 

[old and tired]

That's what mine calls for; filters every 200 hours and complete hydraulic oil fluid every 400 hours. I do the shop vac trick, you put the hose in the filler port to pull a negative pressure so when I unscrew the filters, I lose very little. Bailing wire to hold the nozzle in place.

New machine to me = New oil (change everything including the front axle gear oil - mainly since they are usually delivered Low straight from the dealer.) Peace of mind for the next 400 hours.

 

[UpNorthMI]

If I’m only changing the filters, I drive the tractor on ramps so the side is slightly higher, I found that I lose very little fluid. Ramps are about 7” tall.

I agree that it’s good to change all fluids and filters to establish a baseline. Maintenance is cheap insurance for what can be expensive problems.

 

[SidecarFlip]

Finally, would you do any service to the above at this time? Hours are good but time since last service? 11 Gallons of Kubota oil will run me $550 alone, plus filters. Not an inexpensive decision.

Way too steep in price. SUDT per 5 gallon pail is under 125 bucks a toss at any dealer, usually, much less. I guess if you buy it online and throw in ship cost it might be higher. Filters are around 25 each and your time (which is free).

I agree with the previous post, change ALL the fluids and ALL the filters, engine and transmission and start fresh. Check the air filter and pre filter (if it has one as well) and change if dirty. I happy engine is clean filters and clean, fresh lubricants.

 

[LarryBud]

I’m convinced. New fluids and filters all the way around.

I googled the Hydralic fluid and found it at $49 / gallon. Good to know it can be sourced at a better price. I’ll start shopping around.

Thank you all for the input.

 

[LarryBud]

If I’m only changing the filters, I drive the tractor on ramps so the side is slightly higher, I found that I lose very little fluid. Ramps are about 7” tall.

I agree that it’s good to change all fluids and filters to establish a baseline. Maintenance is cheap insurance for what can be expensive problems.

Good tip. Thanks

 

[D2Cat]

Go down to Louisburg, Romans Kubota for 5 gallon pails.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I’m convinced. New fluids and filters all the way around.

I googled the Hydralic fluid and found it at $49 / gallon. Good to know it can be sourced at a better price. I’ll start shopping around.

Thank you all for the input.

Price is no good either. 49 a gallon = $245 a pail which is about 50% higher than your local Kubota dealer is.

Trundle down to your local Kubota emporium and get your mystery juice and genuine Kubota filters there. he will appreciate the business for one and Kubota filters are the best choice secondly and not much more than the off brands like Baldwin.

We all tend to use Shell Rotella T6 diesel oil so sourcing that could be anywhere but Wally World or Menards is the cheapest place.

 

[SidecarFlip]

If it wasn't a hydrostat I'd tell you to use another brand of fluid (I use Chevron THC Synthetic or Shell Rotella Hydraulic Fluid in my gear drive units), but, seeing it's a hydrostat, I'd stick with Kubota fluids 100%.
Kubota don't refine their fluids, Valvoline does and packages it in Kubota containers.

Problem is, Valvoline don't offer the fluid for sale anywhere at any price. I have to presume that they produce it under license from Kubota and therefore cannot sell it themselves.