Oil capacity for L3902

[Pyrenees]

Hello all. I am new here and new to Kubota tractors. I purchased a new L3902 back in June. I was going to take it to the dealership for the first 50 hours service until they quoted me $500 or possibly more to change the oil. They said they will also test the fluids and the battery. Then they kept repeating testing the fluids and testing the battery several times to sound like they were really doing something. So, I opted to buy a Wix filter and a jug of Rotella T4 15-W40 for $60.

The manual says 7.1 quarts of engine oil. I measured it out to the ML, and it was way above the top mark on the dip stick. I ended up draining out a quart to just get it even with the top mark on the stick. This doesn't make any sense to me. Do I trust the dip stick or the manual?

Thanks

 

[85Hokie]

I applaud the fact that you are taken care of your new machine.

For the record - I would have those 7 quarts handy BUT stop at 5 quarts and use the dipstick as my full device. On level ground obviously. While the manual is handy - the dipstick is the resource to go buy.

As for the oil - I would recommend the same brand but go with the T6 flavor, the cost is small and the synthetic is much better and longer lasting, thus making your machine longer lasting.

 

[NCL4701]

I don’t know about your specific model, but many of the 4WD tractors have a split oil pan to allow clearance for the front driveshaft which results in having two drain plugs: one on each side.

1. If it has a split pan with two plugs and you only pulled one, that will leave undrained oil on the other side of the pan.
2. The capacity listed in the manual is usually the capacity for an engine that has never had oil in it. There’s almost always some left despite proper draining so it usually takes a bit less than stated capacity.
3. The dipstick is the final authority on oil level.

 

[Bee-Positive]

I know the L3901 has two drain plugs like NCL4701 says - I believe the L3902 should be the same.


L3901 Drain Plugs

 

[JasonW]

Manual is a guideline. Go by the dipstick. That simple.

 

[Pyrenees]

Yes, mine has two plugs, and I removed both and let drain for 30 minutes before putting in new oil. I have checked the dip stick cold, warm, and hot. This was 5 minutes ago cold. If this is where it should be, I'll quit worrying about it.