Front Axle Oil Level

[MSG H]

For the L2501-L4701, both manuals do not mention 80w90. It recommends SUDT2 or SAE 80 - SAE 90 gear oil. Both SAE 80 - SAE 90 are straight weight

 

[nbryan]

For the L2501-L4701, both manuals do not mention 80w90. It recommends SUDT2 or SAE 80 - SAE 90 gear oil. Both SAE 80 - SAE 90 are straight weight

Try to find a straight weight 80W or 90W gear oil. Unlikely, as the 80W-90 is all that's generally available does the job. It's 80W when cold and 90W warmed up. That "SAE 80 - SAE 90 gear oil" is likely one of the many interesting manual "typos", I think. Says that in my B2650 operator's manual too. Just use 80W-90 multigrade. Or SUDT2. And don't mix.

 

[old and tired]

If you are low, replacing the oil is not going to be much volume. Open the drain, if it pours out, it's NOT 80w90. I plan to drain mine again just to see what the oil is like (any metal in there?). Such little volume compared to 7.5 gallons of hydraulic oil. Cheap oil change.

 

[MSG H]

Try to find a straight weight 80W or 90W gear oil. Unlikely, as the 80W-90 is all that's generally available does the job. It's 80W when cold and 90W warmed up. That "SAE 80 - SAE 90 gear oil" is likely one of the many interesting manual "typos", I think. Says that in my B2650 operator's manual too. Just use 80W-90 multigrade. Or SUDT2. And don't mix.

Exactly,

Can it be confirmed that the tractors front axle is shipped new with kubota hydraulic oil or gear oil? Full or not.

 

[Nicfin36]

My salesman said they use UDT fluid in just about everything except engines....and my front axle.

I don't think it would matter much if you had 1/2 gear oil and 1/2 UDT. But, many up north say they run UDT/Super UDT in theirs, and those in the south run 80W90, which is what I used.

 

[GeoHorn]

80/90 gear oil is easy to detect.... It smells strongly like garlic. (At least the modern GL5 stuff does, due to the EP additives in it.) It’s a great general purpose gear oil which is why Kubota OK’s it for front axles.

Don’t get hung-up on the literal 80 or 90 wt terminology. 80/90, SAE80W90, etc etc is what is intended and it’s fine.

 

[kubotafreak]

Mine had udt2, it was low at the dealer. I had a wrench with me to check it. I don't know how much he added, but it didn't show on the end of the level plug, even after going up the incline of the trailer. (l6060)

 

[forky]

Still trying to figure out the front axle. On the backside I have 2 bolts on the corners that are only screwed in halfway. Are these vents for draining?
Also a question on why it doesn't seem a drain is on the very bottom....sorry for being ignorant on this. Any explanation would be appreciated. I would love to check my fluid level with only 1 hour on the tractor. Dealer said I was good to go on fluid levels....

 

[PNWBXer]

Still trying to figure out the front axle. On the backside I have 2 bolts on the corners that are only screwed in halfway. Are these vents for draining?
Also a question on why it doesn't seem a drain is on the very bottom....sorry for being ignorant on this. Any explanation would be appreciated. I would love to check my fluid level with only 1 hour on the tractor. Dealer said I was good to go on fluid levels....

I could be wrong but those 2 bolts on the back side might be steering limit screws? At least that's what I think they are (on a BX2380 anyway).....but too lazy to look up in my tired state. The vents are on top of the axle right by each wheel and the drain plugs are on the bottom of the actual axle. Those 2 bolts are on the hub I think? and not on the axle....again for a BX...not an L ...but I assume they are close.

 

[whitetiger]

Still trying to figure out the front axle. On the backside I have 2 bolts on the corners that are only screwed in halfway. Are these vents for draining?
Also a question on why it doesn't seem a drain is on the very bottom....sorry for being ignorant on this. Any explanation would be appreciated. I would love to check my fluid level with only 1 hour on the tractor. Dealer said I was good to go on fluid levels....

The bolts you are seeing installed halfway are indeed the steering stops, they limit how sharp you can turn.
You have a drain plug just up from the bottom for each knuckle, they take a 14mm socket to remove.
There are no vent plugs on top of the knuckles used on L2501's.
You will have a 14mm head plug on the axle tube to check the oil level and a 26 mm-headed plug to fill through.

 

[ayak]

Still trying to figure out the front axle. On the backside I have 2 bolts on the corners that are only screwed in halfway. Are these vents for draining?
Also a question on why it doesn't seem a drain is on the very bottom....sorry for being ignorant on this. Any explanation would be appreciated. I would love to check my fluid level with only 1 hour on the tractor. Dealer said I was good to go on fluid levels....

If you hadn’t already found it, look for one of these drain plugs (item-30) on each side:

 

[ken erickson]

From my L2501 owners manual. 1 is the check plug and 2 is the fill plug.
(view, standing in front of tractor looking towards rear.)

Thanks everyone for input on which fluid is used from the factory/dealer!

 

[Bmyers]

My L3560 had UDT2 in it and that is what I continue to use in it.

 

[ken erickson]

I guess I can join the club with low front axle lubrication levels from the dealer.
Mine was just shy of a quart.

 

[forky]

Thanks for all the replies to my questions......cleared up my confusion and understand what's what now. Good folks here!

 

[michigander]

My B2601 has UDT2, doesn't smell like gear oil.
Delivered full and is still full.

 

[tradosaurus]

Just checked mine on my new MX5400 and I had to add about 10 oz. I used 80W/90 gear oil since I had it and didn't need a funnel to pour it in the fill hole. The check plug is a 14 mm and the fill plug was a 25 mm (I used a 1 - 1/16" wrench).

 

[DustyRusty]

Did you mix the gear oil with the SUDT oil? Not certain how compatible the two oils will be.

 

[mcfarmall]

Did you mix the gear oil with the SUDT oil? Not certain how compatible the two oils will be.

There's nothing in my manual that warns against mixing the two. If it was a big deal they would call it out.

 

[kubotafreak]

Looks like someone needs to confirm miscibility of udt and gear oil now... Whoever does, pictures please!
Foaming would be the issue I would worry about.