Need Advise on 50 Hour Service

[BenRich]

My BX1870 will soon be coming up for its 50 hour service and preventive maintenance.

The manual states that the hydraulic (transmission) filter must be changed; the transmission fluid itself isn't to be changed until the 400 hour mark.

My question to the experts is: Can I change the filter without a great loss of fluid (engine off and everything cooled down, of course).

I'm familiar changing filters, but only engine oil filters. I would be grateful for any sound advise here and thanks.

Ben

 

[SteveF]

Ben, I asked my dealer the same question about fluid loss... he said to be quick at it and top off if necessary. I forgot to ask about the strainer that you replied to earlier.
Steve

 

[TripleR]

We lost very little on ours. Here is a good link: http://www.messicks.com/Articles/KubotaBX-Service.aspx

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/167108-do-your-own-fluids-filters.html

 

[BenRich]

Thanks guys, for your responses. I haven't queried my dealer since there is no hurry and I figured my question would be answered here.

Ben

 

[GWD]

After you look at your strainer and filter you might consider changing the fluid despite what the manual states.

For many, many years the recommendation was to change oil at 50 hours. Then the environmentalists got involved along with the high price of oil.

Just remember, you CAN change fluids at 50 hours.

 

[RCW]

I rarely let a fresh engine go long before first oil/filter changes. You need some hours on it for break-in, so you don't want to change it too early.

I have 20 hours on my BX2360 now. I'll probably do first engine oil/filter at 25, and hydraulic fluid/filter/screen at 50 hours.

If history proves anything, will probably do engine oil changes spring and fall, without many hours on it. Not sure yet, but thinking 15-40 summer and maybe 10-30 winter. Don't like to leave winter oil in long, but that's just me.

I'm guessing hydraulic fluid/filters at ~ 200 hour intervals, which for me is about 3 years.

As some very wise guys on this forum say - fluids are cheap vs repairs.

 

[skeets]

When I did mine I didn't want to put new hydro in but when I pulled the strainer in the rear end that went out the window,, Lots of small shaving and chips,,, so new filter new hydro and haven't had any thing like that since,, guess it just wasn't cleaned all the way

 

[BenRich]

Good advise from all and thanks, guys.

I had contemplated changing the engine oil/filter at 25 hours, yet when I checked the oil on the dipstick at 25 I was a bit surprised at how clean the oil still looked. I know diesel engines turn the oil black a lot faster than gasoline engines, yet at 25 hours the oil on the stick was surprisingly clear.

I might go ahead and change oil/filter at 35 hours since I already have the oil and filter on hand.

I don't have the hydraulic oil and filter on hand and need to run to the dealer to pick some up. I agree it is better to spend little money on preventive maintenance/service than it is to spend big money on repairs.

I sure am happy with this little brute... it has done all I've asked of it thus far. I have done some serious mowing, some serious dirt-shifting with the blade and some serious mulch/dirt moving with the FEL. Apart from banging my head on the folded ROPs and a lack of a OEM toolkit/toolbox, I couldn't be happier with it.

When the ground dries enough to get back to mowing, I'll get my wife to take some photos, so I can post them here.

Thanks again,

Ben