Kubota L Series Tractor Winter Maintenance and Performance Suggestions

[DanDavis]

Hi all, it's my first thread here. Just moved to Montana, and I own a used Kubota L Series tractor. The winter is extremely cold here. I want to make sure my tractor is well-prepared to handle the harsh cold. I'm hoping to get some advice and shared experiences. any will be thanked.
Here are some problems I have encountered so far

1. In extremely low temperatures, a very troublesome problem is the lubrication... Are there any recommended brands and types of lubricating oil?
2. I've noticed that the engine sometimes struggles to start in low temperatures. Are there any effective preheating strategies or starting aids you'd recommend?
3. For the cooling system, aside from changing the antifreeze, are there any other preventive measures can ensure the tractor operates normally?

My questions might sound stupid, hopefully any tractor owners living in cold regions can answer this thread. Any advice is welcomed

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I am curious as to what "lubrication troubles" you have experienced?

MI weather has been "disappointingly warm" recently, but we do have some cold snaps in the sub zero range.

So far I just use what the manual suggests, Kubota 10w-30 and it has been fine.

I am sure there are others that would work equally as well, like perhaps that Rotella 5w-40?

As anecdotal as it is, I use Rotella 15w-40 in my truck (even in the winter) and I'm going on 270,000 miles, so....????

I also use the block heater that came with my 2501, I just plug it in for about an hour before starting.

 

[DanDavis]

I am curious as to what "lubrication troubles" you have experienced?

MI weather has been "disappointingly warm" recently, but we do have some cold snaps in the sub zero range.

So far I just use what the manual suggests, Kubota 10w-30 and it has been fine.

I am sure there are others that would work equally as well, like perhaps that Rotella 5w-40?

As anecdotal as it is, I use Rotella 15w-40 in my truck (even in the winter) and I'm going on 270,000 miles, so....????

I also use the block heater that it came with my 2501, I just plug it in for about an hour before starting.

Thank you so much for reply. I used to live in Cali and I brought my old lubricants without a second thought. but it caused the engine to have difficulty starting. I should prepare two lubrication plans for winter and summer here.

 

[RCW]

I like to use a battery maintainer/tender in winter. Not a trickle charger, but a maintainer that doesn’t overcharge and ruin battery.

I don’t have a block heater but they’re handy.

I switched from 15w-40 to 5w-40 and noticed a difference in cold starts.

You mentioned a “starting aid.” Understand that ether or similar starting fluid can cause irreparable damage to connecting rods and/or pistons of these engines.

 

[mikester]

1. change your oil, use a lighter grade based on the OEM selection chart
2. check your coolant with a densometer or test strips, replace if required
3. get a radiator bra if you re operating in extreme cold
4. park in a heated garage is your best bet, block heater otherwise
5. just say no to ether starting aids

 

[BAP]

Tell us what model L you have and people can give more specific advice. Are you using your glow plugs? Do they work? Are you running them long enough? Have you read your owners manual? Lots of advice I there for what oils to recommend for different temperatures. How to start and etc.

 

[Bmyers]

Make sure you treat your fuel, having it gel up on you is no fun.

 

[chris_the_wrench]

My questions might sound stupid, hopefully any tractor owners living in cold regions can answer this thread. Any advice is welcomed

Where in MT? I lived in nw mt and it got pretty cold(-20f) for like 10-14 days a year. Most of the winter i wouldn't even plug my diesel trucks in. All the fuel stations treat the diesel, so as long as you dn’t buy in summer and save for winter, you should be fine. the forecast for cold weather coming is usually very accurate and long ways out, so id always make sure to have a bottle of diesel 911 on hand but never needed it. I never had issue with fuel gelling in montana, first time i dealt with it was in Washington last winter.

if my oil changes coincided with fall or winter I dropped down in oil viscosity.

if you are east of the mountain, thats a different kind of cold than the western slope.

 

[SDT]

Hi all, it's my first thread here. Just moved to Montana, and I own a used Kubota L Series tractor. The winter is extremely cold here. I want to make sure my tractor is well-prepared to handle the harsh cold. I'm hoping to get some advice and shared experiences. any will be thanked.
Here are some problems I have encountered so far

1. In extremely low temperatures, a very troublesome problem is the lubrication... Are there any recommended brands and types of lubricating oil?
2. I've noticed that the engine sometimes struggles to start in low temperatures. Are there any effective preheating strategies or starting aids you'd recommend?
3. For the cooling system, aside from changing the antifreeze, are there any other preventive measures can ensure the tractor operates normally?

My questions might sound stupid, hopefully any tractor owners living in cold regions can answer this thread. Any advice is welcomed

You will need a block heater for reliable starting in cold ambient unless your tractor is stored in climate controlled conditions.

Use the Kubota recommended lubricants. Your Operator's Manual will suggest engine oil viscosity suitable for your ambient temperatures.

Use 50/50 full strength antifreeze/distilled water in the coolant system.

DO NOT use ether as a starting aid.

 

[FTG-05]

Hi all, it's my first thread here. Just moved to Montana, and I own a used Kubota L Series tractor. The winter is extremely cold here. I want to make sure my tractor is well-prepared to handle the harsh cold. I'm hoping to get some advice and shared experiences. any will be thanked.
Here are some problems I have encountered so far

1. In extremely low temperatures, a very troublesome problem is the lubrication... Are there any recommended brands and types of lubricating oil?
2. I've noticed that the engine sometimes struggles to start in low temperatures. Are there any effective preheating strategies or starting aids you'd recommend?
3. For the cooling system, aside from changing the antifreeze, are there any other preventive measures can ensure the tractor operates normally?

My questions might sound stupid, hopefully any tractor owners living in cold regions can answer this thread. Any advice is welcomed

1. Swith to a 5w-30 or 5w-40 diesel rated oil. Make sure to use Kubota's SUDT2 hydraulic oil.
2. Add a small battery minder/charger to your batery. For Montan winters, I'd switch the glow plugs on twice before starting.
3. Remove and replace your antifreeze and replace with a diesel AF rated for CAT EC-1; it might be marked as ELC (Extended Life Coolant. Make sure it's rated EC-1. For Montana, I'd use minimum 50/50 and probably go to 60/40.

 

[DanDavis]

Tell us what model L you have and people can give more specific advice. Are you using your glow plugs? Do they work? Are you running them long enough? Have you read your owners manual? Lots of advice I there for what oils to recommend for different temperatures. How to start and etc.

I'm owning a used Kubota L48-HST tractor here, I am not sure about the exact manufacturing date, but the machinery is in good condition. It's my first rodeo with one of it, so I'm still getting the hang of all its features and maintenance needs.
Talking about the glow plugs, yeah, I've been using 'em. Montana winters are no joke, and I know that plugs are a big deal when it comes to starting the engine in the cold. I'm not totally sure if they're working perfectly. I usually let them do their thing for about 5-10 minutes before I try to start up, but I adjust that based on the weather. If anyone has more specific advice, I'm all ears.

I've definitely been poring over the owner's manual， uh reading is not always easy for me but I am being patient. I'm thinking I might need to switch my lubrication up based on the extreme temps we've got here. The manual mentions using 0W or 5W oil in really cold conditions, so I'm considering making a switch at my next service.

 

[BAP]

When you say that you are using the plugs for 5-10 minutes, are you talking about glow plugs? Glow plugs only need to be run 10-20 seconds or possibly a little more if working properly. If you are running them for 5-10 minutes something is wrong. Do you have a plug in block heater? If not, consider adding one to use when cold. As far as oil, 5w-40 synthetic oil works well because it covers a huge range of temperatures. If glow plugs are working properly and you use a block heater when really cold, you shouldn’t have any problems with starting your tractor. When really cold, start your tractor and go back inside and have a cup of coffee and let the tractor warm up before using it.

 

[gssixgun]

I have a L3600 over in Far North Idaho

Only cold related things I noted on my old L185 which I addressed on the 3600 before my first winter

#1 The front axle, I had a few freezing incidents with the Gear Oil I had in the 185,,, I used UDT in the 3600 without issues

#2 The 185 did NOT have a Block Heater, the 3600 does

#3 I use the Mag-Heaters I bought for the 185 on the Hydraulic Tank of the 3600 to help warm that up too

I found this remote works for me to warm it up using this routine

 

[DanDavis]

When you say that you are using the plugs for 5-10 minutes, are you talking about glow plugs? Glow plugs only need to be run 10-20 seconds or possibly a little more if working properly. If you are running them for 5-10 minutes something is wrong. Do you have a plug in block heater? If not, consider adding one to use when cold. As far as oil, 5w-40 synthetic oil works well because it covers a huge range of temperatures. If glow plugs are working properly and you use a block heater when really cold, you shouldn’t have any problems with starting your tractor. When really cold, start your tractor and go back inside and have a cup of coffee and let the tractor warm up before using it.

thank you for your advice. sry for the wrong expression I mean I ran the glow plug for 5 to 10 seconds. But these days it needs more time, sometimes even over 20 seconds to start successfully, I was wondering if its something wrong with my battery. I will definitely consider a plug. Now I am using 5w-30，But it runs out soon. I switch to 5w-40 next oil change

 

[DanDavis]

I have a L3600 over in Far North Idaho

Only cold related things I noted on my old L185 which I addressed on the 3600 before my first winter

#1 The front axle, I had a few freezing incidents with the Gear Oil I had in the 185,,, I used UDT in the 3600 without issues

#2 The 185 did NOT have a Block Heater, the 3600 does

#3 I use the Mag-Heaters I bought for the 185 on the Hydraulic Tank of the 3600 to help warm that up too

I found this remote works for me to warm it up using this routine

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