Hydraulic Oil (don't hate)

[tonkyman]

I have an L2900 with standard transmission and FEL. The previous owner told me to use only Kubota Trans/Hydraulic oil in it because the Kubota guys told him that was the reason his hydraulic pump went bad.

I've watched the video Service Department Vic posted about oils and it seems the Kubota guy was just trying to sell the $100 oil.

We've used Tractor Supply "Super Trac Tractor Hydraulic Transmission Fluid" in all our other tractors for a very long time with no issues. Our Massey Ferguson 283 UK is setup the same way as our L2900 (the common reservoir is for the transmission, rear end, hydraulics, remote hydraulics and power steering). We've also used the Lubriguard Tractor Transmission and Hydraulic Oil in the 283 with no issues.

What do you guys recommend?? Because of the heat here in the South we change our Hydraulic oil and filters regularly... about every year for the 283 pulling the 16 foot bush-hog but never more than 2 years.

Thanks for your help.

Tony

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's a gear drive tractor so just about any good UDT compliant fluid will work.
I would suggest Kubota filters.

And that would be the first time I've heard of anyone using non Kubota hydraulic fluid burning out the pump, not going to happen.

 

[tonkyman]

Thanks Wolfman... that's what I thought but being new to Kubota I wasn't sure if they used some synthetic plastic or nylon gear or something crazy like that in there. My parts book didn't show anything odd but I didn't want to take a chance.

I really appreciate your help,
Tony

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea I don't use Kubota fluid, way to expensive here, I use Mystik JT-5.

 

[tonkyman]

Yea I don't use Kubota fluid, way to expensive here, I use Mystik JT-5.

It's funny you say that because Mystik JT-5 is $99 for 5 gal where I live. We can buy "Super Trac Tractor Hydraulic Transmission Fluid" or "NAPA Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid" for about $35. That's an attractive price when you have an implement like the 16 foot bat wing bush-Hog that drips out of every hole. That thing runs in an incredibly dirty environment that keeps it leaking. We start the season with fresh seals but a month in to mowing season we're adding fluid everyday.

I don't think we'll be working the 2900 that hard. A little dirt work every now and then and keeping the driveway graded is about all it will ever do.

 

[SidecarFlip]

I use Chevron All weather synthetic THC but it's pretty expensive. I just changed my new / old tractor and used Rotella AW32 hydraulic oil, 50 bucks a pail at TSC. It's Kubota approved as is the Chevron. Mystic don't exist around these parts.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's funny you say that because Mystik JT-5 is $99 for 5 gal where I live. We can buy "Super Trac Tractor Hydraulic Transmission Fluid" or "NAPA Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid" for about $35. That's an attractive price when you have an implement like the 16 foot bat wing bush-Hog that drips out of every hole. That thing runs in an incredibly dirty environment that keeps it leaking. We start the season with fresh seals but a month in to mowing season we're adding fluid everyday.

I don't think we'll be working the 2900 that hard. A little dirt work every now and then and keeping the driveway graded is about all it will ever do.

That's a crazy price for Mystik, it has gone way up from what i used to get it for, but I still can get it for $61

Well your not going to like me, I didn't catch what fluid you were using in your first post, but you really need to stop using the "Super Trac Tractor Hydraulic Transmission Fluid" and "NAPA Tractor Hydraulic & Transmission Fluid", These fluids are off of a standard that was obsolete back in the 70's, better known as 303 and it is known to cause seal and O-ring failures.
And don't be fooled, they are 303's even if they don't list that.

It's cheap because it's really bad to use in newer tractors and equipment!

Using that fluid in your Kubota will toss some parts for sure, and you don't want that now do you.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's not the reason for the constant failure of the seals in the mower too.

Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcR2_SKzeRA

 

[D2Cat]

Here's Mistik TJ-5 delivered to your door for $62.34 for 5 gallons.

Don't buy it all, I want some!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MYSTIK-663509002004-Tran-Hydraulic-Universal-Fluid-5gal-Pail/273915097612

 

[SidecarFlip]

Shaun...

That's a crazy price for Mystik, it has gone way up from what i used to get it for, but I still can get it for $61

55 a pail for the Rotella Hydraulic oil at TSC and I bet that is a nationwide price. It's Kubota approved, says so right on the label and in Shell's MSDS online PDF too.

Just put 3 pails in the used M9 I bought this summer.

Not sure I'd use it in a hydrostat but my units are gear drive anyway.

What is '303' anyway. Never heard that term before......?

 

[SidecarFlip]

Here's Mistik TJ-5 delivered to your door for $62.34 for 5 gallons.

Don't buy it all, I want some!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MYSTIK-663509002004-Tran-Hydraulic-Universal-Fluid-5gal-Pail/273915097612

Rotella is even less at TSC.

 

[Javabean]

Messick's talks about J303:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcR2_SKzeRA

 

[tonkyman]

Well... maybe I need to try a different oil. The Mystik looks interesting but both places I see online have ridiculous shipping times. The Ebay one is Aug 29 to Sept 6 and the Zoro one says item won't ship for 17 days.

I guess I'll try the Rotella Hydraulic oil at TSC since they have it in stock. https://petro-florida.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Shell-Rotella-HD-Tractor-Fluid.pdf

Wolfman, thanks a bunch for all the information. I'd rather someone tell me the truth than candy coat a lie. I really appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

Tony

 

[Bulldog]

I'm glad Wolfman brought up the 303 garbage fluid. That cheap price is tempting but what it could cost in the long run doesn't make it so cheap.

Personally I use Amsoil tractor hyd/trans fluid in my tractors. Yes it's expensive but it's rated for up to 3x the service life over factory fluid.

 

[vic gerbasi]

I agree KUBOTA filters and anybodies quality oils