Kubota UDT for front axle gear oil?

[TigerFanatic1]

I need to change the front differential case and front axle gear oils, the manual says Kubota UDT, Super UDT, or SAE 80-90 gear oil may be used. Anyone have any experience or recommendations on this? The Kubota UDT (equivalent) feels like a lighter oil to me. I'm sure UDT is fine if it's on the manual.

 

[mddorange]

I already had UDT available so that is what I used. If I hadn't already had it available, I probably would have just used SAE 80-90.

 

[TigerFanatic1]

I'm in the same boat. I have about 3 gallons in a bucket of Kubota UDT equivalent and it takes about 2.5 gallons. I want to use it, but not if the SAE 80-90 would be best for the application.

 

[treefarmerguy]

Just did a full maintenance on my Kubota 5030 and the folks at the dealership were now recommending gear oil instead off UTDF for the front axel.

They were seeing many seal leaks on the front axel and are thinking that heavier oil will eliminate the problem.

 

[ProjectKing]

I'd use and do use gear oil. Hydro oil is too thin imo.

 

[TigerFanatic1]

I'm going with the gear oil. I do have some extra UDT around, but not going to risk anything over $60.

 

[big bubba]

agree w/above on 80/90. if the OP were up north, the case might be made for udt. a person could always look at syn or syn blend, but that can get costly. definitely check level after filling a few times after use as it takes a while to settle....best regards

 

[WilliamBos]

If it is good for the trans, it is for the front axle too. Too thin? Does your transmission leak from every seal?

Don't see the HHP tractors with this issue, they run what's in the trans.

 

[Paystar]

My B2620 came from the factory with UDT in the front axle. Last dealer show I went to, two Kubota reps told me gear can be used if you are in a very hot climate, but said they recommend UDT.
So I use the UDT as I always have left over in the pail when I change the hydro/trans.

 

[MHarryE]

I changed to synthetic gear oil at first change and still lost a wheel bearing at 750 hours. Synthetic equivalent is 75W-90. At failure I searched here and found the bearing failure is not uncommon when doing a lot of loader work and is quite easy to repair. All other components like the gears and other bearings were in like new, hardly broke in, condition when I did the repair. I still like having the gear oil with EP additives in this relatively slow turning but also relatively highly loaded part of the power train. However the outer wheel bearing, a ball bearing, isn't going to survive no matter which lube if it's overloaded.

 

[ovrszd]

Several years ago had a lengthy discussion about this here. UDT and 80-90w are very similar in viscosity. I even ran a pour test and verified that to my surprise.

 

[moriboy]

Both types of oil would be just fine. If there was any real advantage to either one, the manufacturer would let you know. I run 85W-90 in mine.

On a side note, John Deere recommends running hydraulic oil in the final drives on my dozer. I was a little surprised to see that since final drives can see some pretty harsh punishment.

 

[TigerFanatic1]

I went with the gear oil due to flash point and viscosity differences. I didn't compare the UDT as stated in the title, I compared Super UDT and Valvoline 80-90. I found the Suoer UDT flash point at 262 and viscosity >22 mm2/s at 40C. The Valvoline flash point was 424.9 and viscosity 146 mm2/s at 40C. I'm not sure if either has an advantage over the other.

 

[Jay4200]

I need to change the front differential case and front axle gear oils, the manual says Kubota UDT, Super UDT, or SAE 80-90 gear oil may be used. Anyone have any experience or recommendations on this? The Kubota UDT (equivalent) feels like a lighter oil to me. I'm sure UDT is fine if it's on the manual.

UDT is about 20wt eq, SUDT is about 10wt eq, and 80-90 gear oil is about 30wt eq. If your bezel/axle seals are good, you can run whatever you want. I'm up to 90w-140 myself

 

[natehaas]

I read that there will be some condensation on the inside there, using gear oil will separate and you may have ice chunks in the front axle, obviously in a cold climate. We did put gear oil in it for the summer because that's what we had when the 400 hour mark came, but I'm putting udt2 in as it says it will not separate from any water that may condensate in there.

 

[Robin Veerman]

…I'm putting udt2 in as it says it will not separate from any water that may condensate in there…
….curious to see the wording on that.

 

[big bubba]

i'd go w/either straight GL5 80/90, or Valvoline conventional 75/90 gear oil. synthetic 75/90 ok too, but much pricier. save the udt for hydraulics.
btw you have an awesome tractor...imho pre tier4 M series stands head & shoulders above the rest

Amazon.com

 

[eddieirvine]

80 90w utd is to thin and will not keep bearing lubed like 80 90w will I worked in a machine shop for several years and fixed many gear boxes with thin oil in them 80 90 w fixed all the problems we had