Missed HST Drain Plugs During Change - What Would You Do?

[gwdixon]

Put me in the "let it go" column. Everything will be fine. Imagine how many people NEVER change the HST oil...or grease for that matter. Their tractors are still going strong.

You probably got out 90% of the hydraulic fluid. Most Kubotas only require changing the filter at the 200 hour point so quit posting on here and get back on the tractor and get to work! :laughing::thumbsup:

If it makes you feel any better, my Honda Odyssey doesn't have a transmission drain plug to drain all the oil. Instead, the oil is partially removed, filled, and driven for a while, removed again, filled, and driven again, then removed again, filled, and driven. Three times to "drain" the oil.

 

[rbargeron]

Another vote for no worries. The fluid inside the HST at any moment is fairly small and much of what's in there is inside the charge pump and main hydrostat pump/motor set - which doesn't all drain out even when the plug is removed. The large fluid volume in the rear gearboxes is free to move forward into the HST (and out thru its drain hole) but after that's out there isn't much more to get.

There's little point in chasing the last couple of pints unless the machine has become contaminated (Like in a fire or a flood). On Honda automatics for example only about 30% fluid will come out at a time. To do a "change" the procedure is to drain and replenish three quarts, drive it around, drain & replace another 3 qts, drive it some more, etc. After 9 quarts of new stuff have gone in the fluid is considered adequately replaced, even though it's just been progressively diluted with new.

 

[meos1]

Put me in the "let it go" column. Everything will be fine. Imagine how many people NEVER change the HST oil...or grease for that matter. Their tractors are still going strong.

You probably got out 90% of the hydraulic fluid. Most Kubotas only require changing the filter at the 200 hour point so quit posting on here and get back on the tractor and get to work! :laughing::thumbsup:

If it makes you feel any better, my Honda Odyssey doesn't have a transmission drain plug to drain all the oil. Instead, the oil is partially removed, filled, and driven for a while, removed again, filled, and driven again, then removed again, filled, and driven. Three times to "drain" the oil.

You might want to order the drain plug with magnetic tip from summit. Cost about 10 bucks.

 

[5030]

Trust but verify.
Drain a little for a Used Oil Analysis. Send it in and you will probably be pleasantly surprised.
If you are not working the tractor HARD and DIRTY it's probably okay, but a $20 analysis would let ME sleep better at night.

For example on my F350 I switched over to T6 and was getting a great UOA at 18,000 miles, instead of changing at 5,000 miles.

+1. You can't beat a Blackstone oil analyisi anyway.

I would have stayed with the Chevron. Thats all I ever use in my big Kubby's and I work them much harder that you ever will work yours.

 

[5030]

Put me in the "let it go" column. Everything will be fine. Imagine how many people NEVER change the HST oil...or grease for that matter. Their tractors are still going strong.

You probably got out 90% of the hydraulic fluid. Most Kubotas only require changing the filter at the 200 hour point so quit posting on here and get back on the tractor and get to work! :laughing::thumbsup:

If it makes you feel any better, my Honda Odyssey doesn't have a transmission drain plug to drain all the oil. Instead, the oil is partially removed, filled, and driven for a while, removed again, filled, and driven again, then removed again, filled, and driven. Three times to "drain" the oil.

Thats poor engineering at it's best. Reminds me of a Chevy HHR. No drain either. I think I'd be drilling the case and adding a bulkhead fitting to drain the juice....

 

[Johnkn]

I'm not suggesting that there is any problem with letting it go, but ask yourself, are you going to think about it and worry about it until the next required service? If the answer is "yes", then $150 might be a small price to pay to sleep at night. Good luck

 

[4570Man]

I would let it go, but I am a little confused. How did you drain 11 gallons and put 7.5 back in and still be full?

 

[Gem99ultra]

If it were me, I'd simply check often to be sure the fluid level was at the proper level, and adjust as needed. After all, you are light-years ahead of most all the rest of us in your maintenance diligence.