L2501 service oil change

L2501dt

New member
Jun 5, 2020
27
6
3
Connecticut
Was at the kubota dealer today picking up filters and oil for my first 50 hr service. Everything was put in a box for me so i didnt notice till i got home that the engine oil they gave me was kubota 10w-30. Every diesel ive ever ran or worked on always took 15w-40. Does anybody actually put this kubota 10w-30 in their tractor or should i go with 15w-40
 

UpNorthMI

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3200, L3901, MX5800, SVL75-2, KX040
May 12, 2020
850
568
93
Up North, MI
Attached is the Lubricant recommendations from your manual. You will see that it refers to 10W-30 or 15W-40 down to 14 F or -10 C. Below that it recommends 10W-30.

There are many views on this topic!

Personally I use Mobile Delvac Extreme 10W-30, my dealer confirms all tractors are shipped with 10W-30.

Lots of people use 5W-40. You can spend many hours trying to work out what's best.

I suggest that you use what the dealer gave you.
 

Attachments

Roadworthy

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L2501 HST
Aug 17, 2019
1,649
526
113
Benton City, WA
Note - When you go to change transmission and hydraulic filters you will lose hydraulic fluid. Have a pan ready and be quick!! The faster you are the less fluid comes out. The filters will probably be REALLY tight from the factory.
 

UpNorthMI

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3200, L3901, MX5800, SVL75-2, KX040
May 12, 2020
850
568
93
Up North, MI
That's a good point raised by Roadworthy, you should be replacing both the HST Transmission Oil Filter on left side and the Hydraulic Oil Filter (Suction Filter with magnetic ring) on right side. I suggest you read past posts on this as there are a number of recommended ways to minimize the hydraulic fluid loss when just replacing the filters and not draining the hydraulic fluid. I drive my tractor on low ramps on each side to tilt it and find that I only lose the fluid that is in the filter. You will need some hydraulic fluid (Super UDT-2) to top up your system after the 2 filters are changed. Be careful to add fluid slowly as it's very easy to overfill and not see the level in the sight glass, if you have someone to watch the sight glass as you add fluid slowly it will help very much.

Good luck with the work.
 

Oliver

Active member

Equipment
L2501, JD 3520
Feb 2, 2011
540
129
43
Preston County, WV
...... my dealer confirms all tractors are shipped with 10W-30.
My dealer as well so that's what I bought from them when I did my 50 hour service, along with filters and SUDT2 as I changed the transmission as well, even though it's no longer called for.
Next and all subsequent oil changes I plan to use Rotella synthetic 5w-40 which exceeds what Kubota specs but I keep it on hand for almost all my motorcycles, ZTR, log splitter, etc. This along with 5w-30 for my car and truck (even though they call for 0w-16 or 20), and 20w-50 for two air cooled motorcycles gets me down to "only" three different oils deal with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

UpNorthMI

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3200, L3901, MX5800, SVL75-2, KX040
May 12, 2020
850
568
93
Up North, MI
My dealer as well so that's what I bought from them when I did my 50 hour service, along with filters and SUDT2 as I changed the transmission as well, even though it's no longer called for.
Next and all subsequent oil changes I plan to use Rotella synthetic 5w-40 which exceeds what Kubota specs but I keep it on hand for almost all my motorcycles, ZTR, log splitter, etc. This along with 5w-30 for my car and truck (even though they call for 0w-16 or 20), and 20w-50 for two air cooled motorcycles gets me down to "only" three different oils deal with.
Oliver you have too many toys and vehicles like I do also. Shell Rotella is a good product and usually readily available. I have several kubota products that are still relatively new and still under warranty, I make sure that all my servicing uses kubota parts and fluids that meet the recommended grades. In the event that I need to make a warranty claim for something serious I’m sure I will be asked to prove my service parts and fluids met the specifications recommended.

Like you I tend to service earlier than recommended and perform annual engine oil changes, irrespective of the minimal hours I put on some of my equipment. Hopefully it will pay off in the longer term.
 

Tornado

Well-known member
May 7, 2019
793
254
63
usa
Yes 10W-30 is fine in the L2501. I just did my first maintenance a few weeks ago on my L2501. I used Rotella T6 15W-40 fully synthetic. Im in the south where it never snows or gets super cold, so Ill use this oil full time.
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
554
83
USA
Yes 10W-30 is fine in the L2501. I just did my first maintenance a few weeks ago on my L2501. I used Rotella T6 15W-40 fully synthetic. Im in the south where it never snows or gets super cold, so Ill use this oil full time.

Unless I'm mistaken, T6 is 5-40, not 15-40
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
554
83
USA
Have not seen it here, just 5-40 but I don't buy jugs. I get it in a drum.... Almost time to buy another.
 

SidecarFlip

Banned

Equipment
M9000HDCC3, M9000HD, Kubota GS850 Sidekick
Oct 28, 2018
7,197
554
83
USA
Again, like I said, have not seen it here but like I also stated, I buy mine in drums so I don't buy oil but maybe every 2 years. Bulk is always less than small quantities in lubrication fluids.