Early HST fluid change?

[canoetrpr]

My L3400 is 3 years old now at 189 hrs. I'm getting read to do the 200hr service.

Two years ago at 50 hrs I changed all the fluids and since then I've been doing whatever was recommended in the manual every 50 hrs.

I'm pondering changing the HST fluid and filters and the front axle fluid at the 200 hr mark since its been two years since I change it - even though the manual does not call for it until a future interval. T

he Premium UDT stuff they sell here isn't particularly cheap. I want to take good care of my tractor but don't want to waste any $$$. Do you guys think it is fine for me to just follow the manual upto the 300 or 400 hr mark before changing these as required - or change it early now - or say wait another year?

 

[art]

It depends on storage, is it cold or warm? The most common problem is condensation or moisture in the oil to need a change before the recommended intervals. Some types of use as well as conditions might mean possible yearly changes.

 

[rScotty]

It depends on storage, is it cold or warm?

I agree. It depends on environment and usage. Each one is different. I'm coming up on the 200 hr service on our M59 and have put a lot of thought into oils. At 200 hours I will replace the existing generic hydraulic oil with Kubota's SUDT and replace the filters as well. The additional expense is very small compared with not having to think about it for the next 3 years. Our cold winters influence this decision too.
rScotty

 

[TripleR]

I agree with the other posters as to the variables involved, storage, temperatures, periods of inactivity and so on. Even given everyone's knowledge and experience however, there is only one way to know outside lab testing and that is to not do it and see what happens. In all likelihood though you may never know as it will probably not result in catastrophic failure any time soon, just shorten the life of your tractor.

From your post, I really don't think you are going to be completely comfortable without changing no matter what any of us say; small price to pay for peace of mind.

You might want to talk to a dealer you trust about storage, use and preventative measures to take based on your situation. Good luck.

ADVISORY: I am not a mechanic, nor a tractor expert.

 

[canoetrpr]

In terms of storage - my tractor is used regularly but only about 60-70 hrs per year. It is typically used weekly or every two weeks - both in summer and winter - so it gets regular use and is used for typically an hour or more once I do use it.

Our summers don't get much warmer than 32 degrees C - so 90 degrees F. Winter is typically -10 degree C - with a few cold snaps that might get to -20 degrees C or -4 degrees F.

Wrt usage. Summer an even mix of bush hogging, manure cleanup with the rake and loader, chain harrow dragging, odd loader use for a project. Winter is primarily snow blowing.

 

[TripleR]

In terms of storage - my tractor is used regularly but only about 60-70 hrs per year. It is typically used weekly or every two weeks - both in summer and winter - so it gets regular use and is used for typically an hour or more once I do use it.

Our summers don't get much warmer than 32 degrees C - so 90 degrees F. Winter is typically -10 degree C - with a few cold snaps that might get to -20 degrees C or -4 degrees F.

Wrt usage. Summer an even mix of bush hogging, manure cleanup with the rake and loader, chain harrow dragging, odd loader use for a project. Winter is primarily snow blowing.

I am sure others will disagree, but given that it is used regularly enough to heat all the fluids sufficiently, I personally would not change the fluid.

 

[ccsial]

The book says the hour meter should be at 50, 200, 400...etc.

I figure if 200 hours is OK from 200 to 400 then it is ok from 50 to 250.

I have 236 hours and I plan at doing it this fall. It will be near 250 then. It is stored inside of an unheated building and used at least weekly. The service manager of my dealer agrees with me. I can't believe it can hurt anyting. I will be putting SUDT back in. I already have the filters and fluid. I think it will be near 3 years since the 50 hour. Other than work and money it can't hurt anything. If you feel better I'd do it.

My JD calls for every 400 hours.

 

[canoetrpr]

I better go look at my manual! I thought the next HST fluid change was not until 300 hrs.

You figure probably right though - if it is fine between 200 and 400 then it ought to be fine between 50 and 250.

BTW ccsial. I wasn't able to find any of that Power Service Biocide locally. Where did you order it online? Maybe they figure our summer isn't long enough here to grow algae in the diesel. Donno.

 

[tallyho8]

I thought the L3400HST had the same maintenance schedule as my L4400HST. My manual says to do the first transmission oil change at 400 hours and every 400 hours after that.

It says to change the transmission oil filter at 50 hours and then every 200 hours but not the fluid.

 

[ccsial]

Hi Canoetrpr:

Try this link.

People have said that biocide is available at truck stops but I can't find one around here that even knows what it is.

Al

Twinco Romax Power Service Bio Kleen, 16 Oz, Model PS9016 (usahardware.com)

 

[ccsial]

I thought the L3400HST had the same maintenance schedule as my L4400HST. My manual says to do the first transmission oil change at 400 hours and every 400 hours after that.

It says to change the transmission oil filter at 50 hours and then every 200 hours but not the fluid.

Tallyho! You are absolutely correct. I looked at the manual again and it is as you stated. I guess I looked at it to quick and didn't read it good.

I wonder what the shelf life of SUDT is.

Al

 

[firefighter jim]

I thought the L3400HST had the same maintenance schedule as my L4400HST. My manual says to do the first transmission oil change at 400 hours and every 400 hours after that.

It says to change the transmission oil filter at 50 hours and then every 200 hours but not the fluid.

Negative on that. My L3400 manual states on page 42 to change all filters AND trans fluid at 50 hours. Next trans fluid change at 400. Also front axle case oil change at 50 hours.

 

[Happyman]

Negative on that. My L3400 manual states on page 42 to change all filters AND trans fluid at 50 hours. Next trans fluid change at 400. Also front axle case oil change at 50 hours.

The newer tractors and Grand L models have extended the fluid change intervals. Go with what is recommended for your year and model. My L3940 does not have HST fluid change until 400 hours. Not even at 50 hours was it changed, just filters up to 400 hrs.
I say change it if it makes you feel better. No harm done.

 

[canoetrpr]

Finally got into my manual today. You guys are right - it says filters only at 200 hrs. Fluid at 400 hrs.

At the very least I will be getting the filters changed in this case - although I am not going to let the fluid go for another 3 years or so on top of the 2 since it was last changed. Five years is too long.

I might do the fluid as well now since I am doing the filters or do filters only now and and then do both filters and fluid a couple years down the road.

 

[lawn_king]

10 years of commercial,year round, use on all my kubotas (3) inside storage. I do my first engine oil change @ 25 hours, every 50 after that. I do my first full hydraulic service @ 150 hours, every 200 hours after that. I change the front axle oil every 300 hours. I use kubota udt, rotella 15-40 in the engine, 80/90 gear oil in the axle and oem filters.

 

[canoetrpr]

The book says the hour meter should be at 50, 200, 400...etc.

I figure if 200 hours is OK from 200 to 400 then it is ok from 50 to 250.

ccsial - I decided to do exactly what you are doing. I want to take good care of my equipment but I don't want to waste money either. Money has been a bit tight these days. In a different year, I might have just gone ahead and done everything.

I'm going to wait for 200hrs since the last change (i.e. at 50) == 250 hrs and do the HST, Hydraulic filters and SUDT all at the same time. It will probably be in the spring of next year which will be 4 years since I bought it - and 3 years since the last HST, Hydraulic filters and fluid change.

I noticed that the manual is quite explicit about things that ought to be changed when either a time interval expires or a certain amount of usage. e.g. Coolant is just time driven. Oil change I think is 50 hrs or once a year. Since they haven't said anything about the HST fluid I figure I am fine doing it 1/2 the number of hours that it calls for.

 

[ccsial]

canoetrpr: According to my manual the SUDT is every 400 hours and the filters are every 200. I didn't really notice that until tallyho8 mentioned it.

I'm going to do the fluid and filters at 250. At 450 I'll do the filters and at 650 do it all again. I had already bought the fluid and filters before this thread.

I know there is an issue of condensation but I warm it up for three hours mowing every week. It is garaged all year so I think I'm OK on that one.

 

[canoetrpr]

Yeah I did notice that but figured that if I am doing the filters, since it will have been 3 years since the last fluid change, I might as well get it done with the filters.

Is it necessary - probably not - but I figure its not a huge deal for having had the tractor for 3 years without having had to do it.