UDT vs SAE 80

[nwmellen]

I don't know if this has already been posted if so I apologize. I just purchased a1981 L345DT. I am servicing it for the first time and I'm getting mixed message on what to run in my tran/hydraulic. I have read that you can run UDT instead of SAE 80 regardless of what the manual reads. Is this true and if so can a person run ranch pro brand or is there a better brand to run?

Thanks in advance

 

[Bulldog]

I have read that you can replace the gear oil with trans/hyd fluid in the older Kubotas.

As far as the brand goes it really doesn't matter. Just be aware that cheap fluid doesn't perform like a premium fluid will. Reguardless of what brand of oil you choose, you get what you pay for.

 

[E/S]

I have a late 70's 245DT that I take care of for mom, it has been switched over to UTF and works fine.


E/S

 

[MagKarl]

I'm using Walmart Supertech UTF in my L245DT with no problems in the 2.5 years and ~170 hours I've put on it.

 

[kuboman]

I don't know if this has already been posted if so I apologize. I just purchased a1981 L345DT. I am servicing it for the first time and I'm getting mixed message on what to run in my tran/hydraulic. I have read that you can run UDT instead of SAE 80 regardless of what the manual reads. Is this true and if so can a person run ranch pro brand or is there a better brand to run?

Thanks in advance

If you have a loader I would switch the UDT otherwise it is a coin toss. Personally anything with hydraulics I prefer UDT just because it flows/pumps better at low temps.

 

[Stumpy]

Those recommendations were written in the 70s and 80s for the oils of the time. They were geared more for protection of the transmission rather then hydraulic operation because that's all the oil was capable of. These days a quality Universal Tractor Fluid handles both jobs pretty well. Some people like them but some of the analysis's of the ultra cheap Tractor Supply stuff and it's ilk put me off the stuff. Can't go wrong with Kubota UDT, just don't let them charge you more than $20 a gallon for it.