rScotty,
How many Transmission filters does the
M59 have. I got the filters and fluids for the 50 hour service but I'm not sure I have it all. I have the engine filter, a suction filter and a HST filter. Is that all the filters?
How's the
M59 treating you?
It has the engine oil filter up front on the engine block plus three more filters associated with the hydraulic system.
These three hydraulic filters are underneath the body and they all service the hydraulic and hydrostatic both - it is a common sump for all. The first one you'll see is called the transmission it is a slightly shorter filter and it is mounted horizontally right above a long heavy rod...might be the rear brake rod.
After you deal with that one, there are a PAIR of hydraulic filters you'll see on the other side - still underneath. You'll have to remove a skid plate to access them. Kubota calls them hydraulic filters.
All of these hydraulic filters are on there tightly and I'm not the only person to have had trouble removing them. I used a strap wrench because I couldn't find a filter socket sized right to remove the hydraulic ones. After bending one of those pressed steel strap wrenches, I bought a real strap wrench with an aluminum handle - only to find that the nifty plastic strap wasn't long enough and so had to add a strap extension using some 1" nylon webbing and some copper rivets. Used the kind of hand-hammered flush rivets with their special copper washers like saddle makers and leather workers used to use for belts. Had to make up a simple tool to slide over the rivet and force the copper washer down.
Other folks have removed the filters by piecing them and turning them with a big screwdriver driven through the body of the filter. I didn't want to do that as a first option....but nearly had to anyway.
2 important notes: First of all, when you drain the transmission oil the owner's manual says there are two big drain bolts for the transmission. Mine - and other M59s - only have one transmission drain bolt. Where the book shows another should be is nothing....not even a bulge on the tranny casting where they might have forgotten to machine a drain bolt. But it drained just fine.
The other note is that these filters screw onto a standard pipe nipple - and that nipple screws into the block. Looks like about a standard 2 or 4" pipe nipple. Mine were loose in the block and so I tightened them before putting on the new filters. Be sure to check yours when the filter is off.
I bought the standard OEM filter kit from Kubota along with a spare engine oil and inside air filter. Cost was $183 total shipped UPS to my door. I probably spent another $40 and a trip to town getting the right strap wrench set up.
Lots of people have noticed that the first time they change the oils there is a lot of swarf in the oil and filters. Apparently that's common; no problems as far as I've heard.
good luck, rScotty
