Engine oil in hydraulic fill?

Willabe

Member

Equipment
LX2610
Jun 9, 2021
36
28
18
97322
Just did the 50hr service on my LX2610 and while topping up the hydraulic fluid after changing filters, I accidentally added about 1 cup of engine oil into the hydraulic fluid fill. Would you drain the hydraulic fluid or do you think it's okay?
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,432
4,914
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
is the hydraulic oil ONLY used for the hydraulics(loader,3PH) and NOT the HST ( if equipped ).
if they're TOTALLY separate systems a cup is no big deal......
BUT, hopefully an LX2610 owner will reply
 

mcmxi

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,338
6,356
113
NW Montana
Just did the 50hr service on my LX2610 and while topping up the hydraulic fluid after changing filters, I accidentally added about 1 cup of engine oil into the hydraulic fluid fill. Would you drain the hydraulic fluid or do you think it's okay?
So a little over 1.5% "contamination" given the 4 gallon hydraulic oil capacity of your 2610. 1.5% of metal filings in the hydraulic oil would be a concern, but 1.5% of engine oil? Personally I wouldn't fret it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

Nicfin36

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 HST, BH77 Backhoe, SSQA Loader ZD1011 Mower
Jun 19, 2019
1,016
466
83
Decatur, AL
At least you added oil. I needed to add some hydraulic fluid to my old John Deere 2030 and realized I was pretty much out. I scrounged around and thought I had some in a 5 gallon bucket. Turns out it was pink Toyota waste antifreeze. I also poured in about a cup before I caught it. I then went and cut the back field. :LOL:

I doubt it is a bid deal. That's my opinion, for what is worth.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Roadworthy

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L2501 HST
Aug 17, 2019
1,649
526
113
Benton City, WA
It appears that model does have an HST transmission. The only fluid Kubota recommends is their SUDT2. Your transmission capacity is about twelve quarts which works out to about 48 cups. You have added one cup of oil which works out to about two percent "contamination". Is that enough to worry about? Probably not but your transmission is probably still on warranty so you may wish to confirm with the local Kubota shop.
 

NCL4701

Well-known member

Equipment
L4701, T2290, WC68, grapple, BB1572, Farmi W50R, Howes 500, 16kW IMD gen, WG24
Apr 27, 2020
2,803
4,254
113
Central Piedmont, NC
I wouldn’t be concerned about it as a mechanical matter as much as I would be concerned about warranty implications if HST. If any otherwise warranty covered issues with HST and they have an oil sample analyzed that may not go well for you. I do not know if fluid analysis is a common practice for Kubota warranty investigations. I do know it is very common for similar issues with on road vehicles, and yes a routine fluid analysis would pick up on the contamination.

So, if you don’t care at all about the warranty I suggest do nothing and run it; if you care some about the warranty I suggest you clear it with the dealer; if you care a lot about the warranty and don’t want the dealer to be aware of it I suggest you change the fluid.

Personally, I’m not sure what I’d do. I’ve done my share of similar stuff, just not that exact thing. I guess if I ever do that I’ll have to make a decision. Until then, up to you to decide your risk tolerance level.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,432
4,914
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
re: yes a routine fluid analysis would pick up on the contamination.
hmm, curious... wonder how clean the 'system' is before K puts SUDT into it ? There's a LOT of little parts and surface area that 'oil' comes into contact. Does K actually degrease,er deoil, all the HST pump parts, control valves, cylinders,hoses, etc. before filling up.

I sure wouldn't tell K about the oil !
1-2% sure isn't much,could be 'background' from the manufacturing process....
 

Gb540

Member
Jan 9, 2021
44
15
8
Central US
Myself, I'd want that engine oil out.

But this does make one think: Let's say you're switching implements between a Kubota using SUDT2 and a Deere using HyGard. And then you borrow something from a neighbor who uses UTF (universal tractor fluid).

Well all that is getting mixed together in the hydraulic cylinders. And we don't hear about everyone's tractors grinding to a stop. (You're probably supposed to flush the lines/cylinders, but please who does?) So while I'd like to keep my oil at 100%, one has to wonder what the "real world" tolerance is.
 

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,161
5,270
113
Chenango County, NY
Christmas - - we have guys that use 303 in HST's. Some get their just desserts after many years.

Don't think I'd worry about a cup 5 gallons. My BX is 3 - an LX has to be 5 or more?

Some guys sweat over using rented hydraulic equipment, and the "foreign" fluids in them. I think a similar issue; a very small amount in a larger system.
 

Bugzilla46310

Active member

Equipment
2022 BX2680 198? AC 916H
May 22, 2022
170
168
43
Demotte, IN
Little different but I once put one quart of transmission fluid in the engine during an oil change. Ran the oil my normal 10k miles with no issues.
 

Willabe

Member

Equipment
LX2610
Jun 9, 2021
36
28
18
97322
Thanks all. Good points about the mixing of fluids with different implements. Hadn't thought of that, though the only hydraulic implements this tractor has been attached to is the FEL and grapple (both purchased new). An older, geared, tractor I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but these newer tractors can be a little more finicky. The HST and wet brakes were what really had me worried.

So, I talked in some detail with a Kubota service specialist at a major service center that seemed very knowledgeable about the hydraulic system. He didn't think there was anything to worry about with the amount I put in. His take was even a quart or two would be fine as long as it was added to a mostly full hydraulic system. If the hydraulic system had been drained and the first thing I put in was engine oil, he thought that could cause more problems since it might get into some places where it would be harder to dilute. In that case, he might recommend flushing the system. At the extreme, if it had been drained and then filled completely with engine oil, he would be very concerned about damage to the HST and being able to get all the oil out of the system.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Willabe

Member

Equipment
LX2610
Jun 9, 2021
36
28
18
97322
Oh, I also asked about fluid testing during a warranty claim. He said it is regularly done for HST failures, but only if they suspect an issue with the fluid, or think they can determine something about the operating conditions that might have caused the issue. He wasn't 100% positive, but didn't think they would detect the level of contamination I have; they are looking for much more obvious issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users