SUDT replacement ?

85Hokie

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While it says :
1732923055262.png


It does not mention the newest form of Kubota oil - the S-UDT2.

If you have a HST in either on of your machines ......... I don't think I would do it. If geared - you should be fine.

OBTW - the UDT2 is no longer - that was the semi synthetic blend.
 

TheOldHokie

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Anyone have experience with this oil? Kubota oil locally is $$$$ and shipping is expensive.
Its a higher viscosity than both UDT and SUDT. Its not on par with SUDT2 and costs just about the same. If you really want an alternative to SUDT2 JD Hygard lo-vis (J20D) would probably be a better choice.

Dan
 
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jimh406

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It's providing lubricant for the most important parts of your tractor. I don't understand doing it to save money,. I don't use my tractor enough that I'd save over a few dollars a year while I risk thousands.
 
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TheOldHokie

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Don't worry the chinese printers are making up new labels that will be on the next slow boat shipment of mystery lube from behind the great wall
Really?

Where is Triax lubricants located?


All TRIAX products are currently manufactured in Texas
. Our main facility is at the core of our US and international business. Its located in The Highlands, Houston area, 3 miles from the port of Houston.
 

lmichael

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It's providing lubricant for the most important parts of your tractor. I don't understand doing it to save money,. I don't use my tractor enough that I'd save over a few dollars a year while I risk thousands.
Yeah, I'm right with ya. I have been accused of being an "OEM Fanboy", but I've never had issues using OEM things in "mission critical" applications whether automatic transmissions or on the HST on the Kubota. Back in the days when my friend and I had our shop, we'd see transmissions with the clutch packs ruined because of independent shops using Dexron type fluids in Chrysler ATs vs spending the extra on Type 7176 (the new MOPAR standard at the time). IMO in a mission critical application there is no sense being penny wise and pound foolish.
 
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Bearcatrp

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Would using an alternative oil void your warranty if a catastrophic failure happened? Can see using an alternative oil if there is no more warranty. Don’t know enough about this so just asking.
 

lmichael

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Would using an alternative oil void your warranty if a catastrophic failure happened? Can see using an alternative oil if there is no more warranty. Don’t know enough about this so just asking.
Definitely if they can show there was a lubrication failure
 

TheOldHokie

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Would using an alternative oil void your warranty if a catastrophic failure happened? Can see using an alternative oil if there is no more warranty. Don’t know enough about this so just asking.
If you are using a name brand THF denying a warranty on that basis alone is going to be a heavy lift. There is a real good reason Kubota manuals recommend but do not require a Kubota branded engine or transmission lubricant. That said I am sure they could use it to make the claim process quite difficult if they decided to.

Bottom line is there is nothing even remotely unique about regular UDT and Kubota says its just fine. SUDT2 is just a lower viscosity product with better cold weather flow. Very analagous to using a 5W40 versus 15W40 engine oil. Both are acceptable but one flows better when cold and helps reduce wear at startup.

Dan
 
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mikester

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Really?

Where is Triax lubricants located?


All TRIAX products are currently manufactured in Texas
. Our main facility is at the core of our US and international business. Its located in The Highlands, Houston area, 3 miles from the port of Houston.
"It's as though "TRIAX Lubricants LLC" only exists as a name on eBay and Amazon. Better Business Bureau says that company doesn't exist. D&B says that company doesn't exist. Google just finds the website. Network Solutions WhoIs returns the website as a GoDaddy domain created by a domain proxy service. At this point it's very sus!"

I am sure EVERYTHING you buy on Amazone and Flea-bay is truly legit. I've never heard of Triax Lubricants LLC before but that doesn't mean anything.

If I bought a gear tractor made in china or india I'd be willing to spend my money on amazonian mystery products because my perceived saving a buck would be the most important thing in my mind.
 

Bearcatrp

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Thanks for answering my question. I’ll stick with Kubota fluids for now until my warranty is up. Better safe than sorry. After that, I’ll consider others provided it’s allot cheaper.
 

TheOldHokie

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"It's as though "TRIAX Lubricants LLC" only exists as a name on eBay and Amazon. Better Business Bureau says that company doesn't exist. D&B says that company doesn't exist. Google just finds the website. Network Solutions WhoIs returns the website as a GoDaddy domain created by a domain proxy service. At this point it's very sus!"

I am sure EVERYTHING you buy on Amazone and Flea-bay is truly legit. I've never heard of Triax Lubricants LLC before but that doesn't mean anything.

If I bought a gear tractor made in china or india I'd be willing to spend my money on amazonian mystery products because my perceived saving a buck would be the most important thing in my mind.
I am not afvocating for TRIAX but it is a niche blender based in Houston and blends their oils there.

I first encountered them about 5 years ago when they started hawkIng their Full Synthetic THF as an equicvalebt to SUDT2. All you have to do is look ar their PDS to know otherwise.

If you ask WhoIs about my domain name you will get a similar result. Its how DNS works for most people. Personally I do not use a proxy server and host my own but many people who dont want that hassle do use proxies.

I doubt the BBB or D&B has ever heard of me but I am real, located in Maryland, and making and selling the products shown on my website.

Personally I dont think very highly of Triax. They are heavy on marketing claims and their engine oils are not API licensed. Much the same business model used by Amsoil, another company I dont hold in great esteem.

Personally i use SUDT2 because I have researched the product and know how it compares chemically and physically to other mainstream THFs. It has superior and somewhat unique properties but its not even close to essential for the well being or longevity of any Kubota - HST drive or otherwise. Unfortunately FUD, not facts, is the dominant argument in these UDT threads.

All that said here is their 2017 response to a BITOG post that alleged they were a shell marketing company had been sold and were liquidating remaining inventory. That was clearly not true.

Originally Posted By: TriaxLubes
Came across this and felt compelled to respond. No, the products are not being liquidated, or the company going under.

Until 2013 TRIAX made mostly custom blended products for advanced commercial and military applications with very specific and demanding requirements, such as 15,000 hr hydraulic oils, arctic grade engine oils (0W40, 0W-30 CJ-4), friction modified engine oils and many others. In 2013 we decided to roll out our own product line containing some of the technology that was developed for others. Nothing is being liquidated and we are currently producing about 500-600k gallons a month. Our portfolio contains over 500 fluids which we are gradually introducing to the market and making available for direct purchase. We are currently working to expand our staff to handle direct sales and our website is continually being updated with new items.
 
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RCW

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Thanks for answering my question. I’ll stick with Kubota fluids for now until my warranty is up. Better safe than sorry. After that, I’ll consider others provided it’s allot cheaper.
I've stuck with Kubota-branded SUDT2 hydraulic fluid and been out of warranty for many years.

Just don't know enough about the product to switch with the confidence. I need to know I'm not F'n something up. Recommended product takes care of that.

If I had the expertise Dan has, I might consider a change if I were high-use with a larger machine.

I change SUDT2 when I notice an increase in the "whine". Works out to ~200 hours and 4 years. A lower cost "alternative" literally saves me pennies per month/year. A BX only takes ~ 3 gallons.

Without concern, I switched to Rotella T6 while in warranty. Technically out of manufacturer's spec with 15w-40. That lasted one winter and went to 5w-40, which is still out of spec. Without a block heater, the 5w made cold starts MUCH easier.

Again, no concern about spec. Just knew it was a good product and doubted would cause harm even though out of spec. Maybe misplaced confidence but seems to have worked for years.
 
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Dustball

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"It's as though "TRIAX Lubricants LLC" only exists as a name on eBay and Amazon. Better Business Bureau says that company doesn't exist. D&B says that company doesn't exist. Google just finds the website. Network Solutions WhoIs returns the website as a GoDaddy domain created by a domain proxy service. At this point it's very sus!"

I am sure EVERYTHING you buy on Amazone and Flea-bay is truly legit. I've never heard of Triax Lubricants LLC before but that doesn't mean anything.

If I bought a gear tractor made in china or india I'd be willing to spend my money on amazonian mystery products because my perceived saving a buck would be the most important thing in my mind.
The facility pictured on Triax's site is ZXP Technologies.


Looks like Triax and VP Racing products are coming from the same facility.

1733013349434.png


1733013370554.png
 

PaulL

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I've generally been in the "use Kubota fluids" camp. I note that in NZ we don't get SUDT-2, we only get UDT, which is apparently still fine in most (if not all) Kubota tractors.

But lately a question I've been asking is "what about your implements". What I mean by this is that your fluid gets mixed with whatever's in your implements - your loader, your rear blade, your snowblower etc. Anything hydraulic. Including any implement you rent or borrow. Do you religiously drain all implements before you connect them to your orange tractor, and make sure you fill them with SUDT-2 before sullying your machine? If not, then clearly you're not as religious about only using Kubota fluids as you say you are!!

I don't personally see a reason to buy no name brands, but the way you actually use hydraulic fluids says to me that manufacturers inherently must be tolerant of a mix of stuff getting in there. That's why they have pretty good filters on hydraulic fluids. Kubota (and the Japanese in general) aren't going to be making a machine that's so fussy it'll explode when you connect up the implement you borrowed from your neighbour that happens to have John Deere or some no-name brand fluid in it.
 

Runs With Scissors

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Would using an alternative oil void your warranty if a catastrophic failure happened? Can see using an alternative oil if there is no more warranty. Don’t know enough about this so just asking.

When I was a kid (young mechanic) there was some sort of lawsuit/legislation about this.

Basically it said that the automakers (Big 3 ?) could not just "willie-nillie" void the warranty of a vehicle for using "after market" parts and fluids that met the minimum specs.

I'm sure someone with a black belt in "Google Fu" can confirm/deny this.
 
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TheOldHokie

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When I was a kid (young mechanic) there was some sort of lawsuit/legislation about this.

Basically it said that the automakers (Big 3 ?) could not just "willie-nillie" void the warranty of a vehicle for using "after market" parts and fluids that met the minimum specs.

I'm sure someone with a black belt in "Google Fu" can confirm/deny this.
Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (1975) and it applies to way more than the Big 3 auto makers.

Dan
 
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