HST drain plug thread size?

Shawn T. W

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'05 L5030 HSTC - '21 MF GC 1725 MB - '18 JD Z960M Z-Trak
Dec 9, 2024
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I searched 5 pages ...

I'm wanting to add a https://www.fumotousa.com/ drain plug to my HST ... I haven't gotten my manuals yet for my recently acquired 2005 L5030 HSTC, but reading online it it takes just under 12 gallons, that's gotta be a big drain pan, and a bigger pain in the backside to empty ... So I want to add a drain valve and hook a hose to it so I can control the flow into a jug or bucket ...

Kubota part number is #15522 96010 but no reference to thread size ... Anyone know what the size is?

According to Fumoto a L4630 (which is same as mine but smaller engine) takes a M12 - 1.25 in the engine oil drain plug, I looked that model up, and it is Kubota part number #16427 33750, which mine also takes the same plug, and I figured I'd also put one in the oil pan ...

Screenshot_20250712-043721.png

I am just guessing that the HST drain plug is larger diameter than the engine oil pan ... But don't know what size it is.
 

Runs With Scissors

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Good idea using a valve to be able to stop the flow.

If they don't make one with the correct size, maybe order a factory plug, then drill and tap it to accept the Fumoto?

Sorry I can't answer your question though.
 
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BAP

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Adding a valve that both protrudes out from the bottom of the tractor and has a swing valve is living extremely dangerously. A good wack by a stick or something else sticking up can break it off or open the valve. By the time you know about it you have caused several thousand dollars damage to your transmission. It is certainly your choice to do but personally I would not take the risk because I have seen enough damage over the years caused by hidden objects in tall grass or brush when mowing.
 
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D2Cat

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A simple, easy and inexpensive way I drain the oil is to get a protein tub from a nearby farmer. Cut the top off to where it fits easily under your tractor, you'll need to cut off about 5-6". This is large enough to reach all four drain plugs (if there are that many) with ease, and not spill a drop.

Anyone who has cattle probably has some tubs blowing around in a field!

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JasonW

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When I changed the transmission fluid in my M (15 gallons) I used a heavy duty storage tote.

I use the $12 harbor freight battery pump to pump it into 5 gallon buckets to recycle. I use the empty hydro fluid buckets with lids and pour spouts.

I would pass on the drain valve for this situation. (You have to drain the fluid first to install the valve anyway) You’re not going to be draining the fluid that often and I wouldn’t risk possible damage to the valve hanging down even though it’s only for mowing.
 

JasonW

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I’ll also add I’ve followed your threads about getting this tractor. I would at least get new drain plug gaskets for every drain plug you plan on servicing if not new drain plugs also depending on their condition. IE if they are rounded or damaged from using the wrong size socket on them.
 
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Russell King

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When I empty the transmission of my tractor here is my process:

Buy a large masons mortar tub (black plastic tub that is 2 feet x 3 feet and several inches deep)
Buy enough 5 gallon (whatever size fits under the tractor height) with pour spout lids, You may need some smaller buckets to fit under lower drains on the rear axles.
Then set two 5 gallon buckets in the tub and slide it underneath the tractor. Position it so that you can move the buckets around when full and get empty one under the drain. You may have to stop the proceeds when the buckets are both full. I like to only fill the buckets with 4 to 4.5 gallons so they don’t slosh over when moving them out.
Then I move to the lower points so I still have a good amount of oil left to drain out, assuming I am flushing out the sump of sludge.

Any spillage is caught in the tub. Tub is smooth enough that the buckets slide around easily and can be wiped out easily.

Then put the spout lids on buckets and eventually take them to oil recycling stations and dump them into a container there.
 
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Russell King

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As far as the size of the drain plug, I bought a new one and used it to know the thread size (which is probably parallel thread metric size that requires a sealing washer underneath it.)
 
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Shawn T. W

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'05 L5030 HSTC - '21 MF GC 1725 MB - '18 JD Z960M Z-Trak
Dec 9, 2024
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SW Missouri Ozarks
I use the $12 harbor freight battery pump to pump it into 5 gallon buckets to recycle. I use the empty hydro fluid buckets with lids and pour spouts.
I think I like this idea ... My original idea was get a 55 gallon plastic drum, turn it upside down and cut it to slide under the tractor with castor on each of the 4 "corners" basically build a drop dolly, but with the castors mounted above the bottom of the barrel ... Put a "street L" in the small bung, add a shutoff valve to drain when fill, roll out from under tractor, pick up with forks on my SCUT, drain into buckets, then I thought why not drain it directly into the bucket? ... I think the pump idea might be better, even though the tractor has almost 16" of ground clearance, and I'm not home, but guessing that is the front axle ...

Back in the old days when I was fresh out of tech school I was hired into a big truck shop, I did a lot of oil changes ... 11 gallons at a time ... We had a very crude cutoff metal 55 gallon drum (cut with a cutting torch, no grinder!) with 2 "handles" welded on to it, it was heavy and awkward to carry, I dumped it into another cutoff 55 gallon barrel that had a pipe screwed into one of the bungs, which fed into a lower crawl space with a few 275 gallon oil tanks, we burned waste oil to keep warm in the winter in Vermont.

But I was a late teenager then, I'm approaching 60 now, don't want to risk hurting myself, especially since I live alone, too far away to call for help without a phone ... And I don't carry my phone with me, I leave it on the kitchen counter, or in the glove box of what ever I'm driving ...

I haven't even really crawled under it, just looked at it from a crouched position at the dealer, nothing loose hanging down, or bolts missing ,no evidence of any leaks ...

I did stop at the Kubota dealer this morning in Sulphur Springs, TX, they couldn't tell me what size the plug/bolt was, and didn't stock it, so couldn't measure it ... I did pick up a bucket of the Super UDT2 while there ... Not a lot of extra space in this 8' square box I mostly live in ... I don't eat out, so I leave home with 25 gallons of my well water, fridge, and a bunch of cooking appliances, plus food, just stopped at grocery store just outside of Little Rock, Arkansas ... Peach cobbler in the crock pot now, Shepard's Pie for dinner ... And 3 weeks of clothes ... I'll continue to grab another 2 buckets, as I get room, tractor now has clear fluid, and appears to have been a full service done last fall, they traded it in before this spring grass cutting season, so I'm not in a hurry, just like to have stuff sitting at home, so if I have time, I have the stuff ...

The local Kubota dealer didn't have this synthetic fluid, just the older version, that's all they carry they said? I couldn't remember what it was called, but asked for the "super with a 2 at the end, that was synthetic" they said they don't carry any synthetic fluids, other than some oil for a side by side ... So I figure since the college that owned this tractor before got all there supplies at that dealer (parts lady told me they did) that it has the older type stuff in it, So I'd like to switch it out at my convenience ... Yes, that's what it had in it when it was built, and most likely the last 20 years, but I'd like it to last another 20 years!

I would at least get new drain plug gaskets for every drain plug you plan on servicing if not new drain plugs also depending on their condition
Should put this on my order list too, if I go this route, need to look at bolt/plug hex head condition when I get home next on both engine and transmission.

This is one of the great benefits of this forum of being able to bounce my "crazy hair brained" ideas of of others ... And get other perspectives. :)
 

JasonW

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Adding to the drain pan idea. The storage tote I used was able to slide under the tractor with enough clearance to access the drain plugs. After installing the drain plugs and filling the tractor with fluid I just moved the tractor. So no need to try and move the tote full of fluid.
 
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chim

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L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
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Been using a Home Depot mixing tub. The tub itself is great.

Tried pouring from that to 5 gallon buckets. Yep. Spilled some. Then used a small plastic bucket to bail it out. Less than satisfactory.

Bought a small pump to try next time.

May even try dropping the suction tube into the tractor and see how much I can get even before removing the drain plug.
 

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