Mixing hydraulic fluid

[Oldawg]

I have a 2006 L3130 with 6500 hours on it. Hydraulic fluid looks good, I don't know if it's ever been changed. I need to add a little and I have 5 gallons of brand x fluid. OK to mix?

 

[fruitcakesa]

That is a lot of hours with no service records, I would drain it all and replace with new and not worry about old fluid mixing.

 

[gssixgun]

Yeah, I gotta agree unless you are really stuck and can't see your way to a full filter and oil change I would be very hesitant to mix fluids..

 

[SidecarFlip]

...and if it's a hydrostat use ONLY Kubota SUDT and Kubota filters. If you have 6500 hours showing and the fluid is original, you are living way out on the edge...


...and it's way past time for a valve adjustment too.

 

[RCW]

I definitely would not mix fluids.

Like the others said; given you don't know service history, I would drain and fill with a proper fluid along with new filter.

 

[Roadworthy]

In addition to old, unknown fluid you have probably picked up a certain amount of moisture in it from condensation. Drain it completely and refill with the recommended fluid type, cleaning any screens and replacing filters along the way.

 

[Magicman]

If the fluid is original it is 10 times past the recommended change interval. Replace the filters and use a recommended fluid. Brand X might not meet the Kubota specifications.

Never mix hydraulic fluids.

 

[Eurocopter]

I bought my GL5240 HSTC-3 4 X 4 with 801 hours, brought it home, drained engine oil, front axle oil, and all hydraulic fluid, replaced every filter and fluid with full synthetic, Kubota SUDT 2 for hydraulic and front axle, and Mobile one diesel synthetic for engine. I will change engine oil and filter every 150 hours. Front axle and hydraulics every 400 for my own peace of mind.

 

[Oldawg]

I'm sorry, I must have been asleep when I posted this. My L3130 has just under 650 hours on it, NOT 6500! I have changed the engine oil and greased everything, but have done nothing with hydraulic fluid - it looks very clean.

Tractor is standard 4 spd hi-lo transmission and clutch.

 

[propuckstopper]

I'm sorry, I must have been asleep when I posted this. My L3130 has just under 650 hours on it, NOT 6500! I have changed the engine oil and greased everything, but have done nothing with hydraulic fluid - it looks very clean.

Tractor is standard 4 spd hi-lo transmission and clutch.

6500 or 650 hours, it depends how important your peace of mind is to you. I am anal to a fault, so the first thing I would have done is change everything immediately. This way, I have a much better idea of "what I got".

However, I am way over the edge in terms of maintenance, and I know that while maintenance is good it is not worth worrying about as much as I do. For instance, on my new BX2380, I changed the oil twice before the 50 hour service. That was surely not necessary but it made me feel good.

It really comes down to what makes you happy, and how long you intend to keep your unit. When I buy something, I almost always keep it forever and maintain the heck out of it.

 

[Ammobeetle]

I have a 2006 L3130 with 6500 hours on it. Hydraulic fluid looks good, I don't know if it's ever been changed. I need to add a little and I have 5 gallons of brand x fluid. OK to mix?

Check the Filters, are they gray? Or are they marked with a date and hours?
If gray that's an original filter. If white is it Kubota? I wouldn't put anything but Kubota fluids in it.

Rob

 

[Magicman]

600 hours is the recommended hydro fluid change interval for my tractor.

 

[NHSleddog]

A great filter video from Neil over at Messick's

https://youtu.be/OMrI791m-pU

I have always followed the ford hot supper break in method.