The PRICE of super UDT2 - are you kidding?

[RickyBobby]

Just paid about $70 for a 2.5 gallon jug. That's about $30 / gallon.
Seems ridiculous.
I have no doubt that my new L3901 NEEDS genuine Kubota super UDT2, and I won't try to save a few bucks and ruin the thing, but I really don't understand why they couldn't engineer the thing to use basic hydraulic oil. Sure, it may not be as efficient, but it's a whole helluva lot more practical, cost effective and user friendly.
Is this a case of engineers pushing technology or just a money grab?
Thoughts?

 

[DustyRusty]

It is the way that the hydraulic pumping system is designed to give long service life. You just spent a bundle of money on a tractor, and to properly maintain it isn't going to be inexpensive. You paid $28 a gallon for the Super UDT. Inexpensive at twice the price, when you think about how often you will need to change it, and how it will extend the service life of the tractor.

 

[torch]

I do have to wonder why Kubota does not make UDT2 available elsewhere in the world (like Canada), when there is no difference between the tractors sold in other countries and those sold in the US.

 

[mikester]

Have you priced out new equipment lately?

I recently visited my dealer and discovered my 10 year old ZTR is selling for the same price I paid for it 10 years ago.

Think of your maintenance as an investment in an asset that holds its value.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

money grab.... plain and simple.. same as $12 studs up here, $100 sheet of plywood.
Yes, it 'could' be engineered for lower cost oil BUT no money in it for 'them'
wnat REAL sitcker shock ?? Price the cost(part and labour) to replace the battery in an F-150 Lightning.....

 

[lynnmor]

Are there options for buying Kubota oils and parts other than the local dealer, such as online, for a discount price? For example, I can buy genuine parts for a truck for much less than a local dealer charges.

 

[Geezer3d]

Are there options for buying Kubota oils and parts other than the local dealer, such as online, for a discount price? For example, I can buy genuine parts for a truck for much less than a local dealer charges.

What I have seen online where you can buy Kubota parts looks like a good deal, but shipping, especially on fluids, increases the price to where you are not saving anything.

 

[Sammy3700]

Maybe cheaper in 5 gallon bucket. I recently bought 2 buckets of super udt2 to service the L3800hst I recently bought it was 103 per bucket at my local dealer filters were also around 12 dollars cheaper than I found on eBay or Amazon for all including the inner air filter

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I can't buy ANY oil,paint,RTV,etc online and have it delivered....
'hazardous materials'....
Chinese have really screwed up things here in Canada.

 

[nbryan]

I do have to wonder why Kubota does not make UDT2 available elsewhere in the world (like Canada), when there is no difference between the tractors sold in other countries and those sold in the US.

In Canada SUDT2 is called Kubota Premium UDT. I get it from my Kubota dealership, and have also had it delivered by buying online from Nova International. Kubota Parts | Kubota Parts Online | Nova International Ltd (shopnovaintl.com) https://www.shopnovaintl.com/

 

[Crash277]

I can't buy ANY oil,paint,RTV,etc online and have it delivered....
'hazardous materials'....
Chinese have really screwed up things here in Canada.

I ordered a quart of Kubota orange enamel on Amazon. They shipped it no problem.

 

[nbryan]

I can't buy ANY oil,paint,RTV,etc online and have it delivered....
'hazardous materials'....
Chinese have really screwed up things here in Canada.

In Canada SUDT2 is called Kubota Premium UDT. I get it from my Kubota dealership, and have also had it delivered by buying online from Nova International. Kubota Parts | Kubota Parts Online | Nova International Ltd (shopnovaintl.com) https://www.shopnovaintl.com/
$29.95 per 5 litre jug is not bad considering FREE DELIVERY IN CANADA.

Nova International also sells and ships for free all the filters for my B2650, even get a fan belt!

 

[RickyBobby]

It is the way that the hydraulic pumping system is designed to give long service life. You just spent a bundle of money on a tractor, and to properly maintain it isn't going to be inexpensive. You paid $28 a gallon for the Super UDT. Inexpensive at twice the price, when you think about how often you will need to change it, and how it will extend the service life of the tractor.

That would be well and good if it wasn't currently LEAKING out of my tractor through no fault of my own. It's like watching dollar bills drip out onto my fields and lawn. It's one thing to pay a bit more when things go right, but...

But that's really not the point of my question. My point is whether it is POSSIBLE to engineer a trans/hydraulic system that uses cheaper oil. And based on the fact that Deere is still requiring Hygard, (at about half the price), I'd say it is.... unless Deere transmissions all go to crap after 10 years - and maybe they do. I don't know, do they?

If not, then we have a problem. Either the engineers were not talking to the bean counters (or customers) and decided to unnecessarily give us the "latest and greatest" at great cost to the consumer.
or-
The bean counters WERE talking to the engineers and decided to make hydraulic oil a new profit center for Kubota.

 

[lmichael]

Be glad you don't have a Honda tractor. Their fluid is $12.95 per pint!

 

[torch]

In Canada SUDT2 is called Kubota Premium UDT.

It's not the same stuff. Premium UDT is a conventional base low-viscosity hydraulic oil made by Shell Canada for Kubota. The specs are more like ATF than hydraulic oil. Gravity degree is 29.3, pour point is claimed -57°C and viscosity @100°C is 7.1 cSt.

SUDT2 is a synthetic or perhaps semi-syn fluid made for Kubota by Valvoline. Gravity degree is 34.5, pour point is -42°C and viscosity @100°C is 8.1 cSt.

 

[DustyRusty]

That would be well and good if it wasn't currently LEAKING out of my tractor through no fault of my own. It's like watching dollar bills drip out onto my fields and lawn. It's one thing to pay a bit more when things go right, but...

But that's really not the point of my question. My point is whether it is POSSIBLE to engineer a trans/hydraulic system that uses cheaper oil. And based on the fact that Deere is still requiring Hygard, (at about half the price), I'd say it is.... unless Deere transmissions all go to crap after 10 years - and maybe they do. I don't know, do they?

If not, then we have a problem. Either the engineers were not talking to the bean counters (or customers) and decided to unnecessarily give us the "latest and greatest" at great cost to the consumer.
or-
The bean counters WERE talking to the engineers and decided to make hydraulic oil a new profit center for Kubota.

You ought to consider having the leak repaired, instead of complaining about it. It is your tractor, use it any way that you want. You are ultimately responsible for your own actions, or lack there of. You are going to be paying for it one way or the other. Cut your losses now, and trade it in on a green & yellow machine.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Definitely cheaper by the 5 gal pail, with K promotion coupon price was $90 regularly $100/5 gal.

 

[Henro]

... Cut your losses now, and trade it in on a green & yellow machine....

My old Yardman lawn tractor was green & yellow. Not sure I can recommend that approach!

 

[RCW]

My old Yardman lawn tractor was green & yellow. Not sure I can recommend that approach!

MTD product, as I recall?.....most stuff is MTD now and disposable. Hard to get away from it.

Kind of like Whirlpool and household appliances. I find WP to be less than superior quality....but what's the option?

We have a Viking Commercial -style range-top in the kitchen. Heard they're out of business now.....geez...

Definitely a tangent from the OP's question and SUDT2....I'm not going to answer that anyway....done it 476 times already on OTT.....

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.....

 

[RickyBobby]

You ought to consider having the leak repaired, instead of complaining about it. It is your tractor, use it any way that you want. You are ultimately responsible for your own actions, or lack there of. You are going to be paying for it one way or the other. Cut your losses now, and trade it in on a green & yellow machine.

You make a lot of assumptions and add very little value.