50hr service on L3540

Bswope · Feb 28, 2011

Hey guys im at my 50hr service on my L3540 already and Im wondering who has done their own service and how did it go? Ive got to take it to the dealer for a couple issues and for poops and giggles I asked them how much it would cost for them to do the service, they want $250 to do the service while its there but I think im just gonna do it myself.

Thanks fellas,
Buddy

PHILIP8N · Feb 28, 2011

I would do it yourself. The top Kubota mechanic in the shop is not changing oil and filters, probably a lesser experienced kid. Plus, you will get the satisfaction of knowing you did the job right. Have heavy duty filter wrenches ready for the hydraulic and hst filters. The filter on the left, not sure which one it is now, was a real bear to get off. Luckly, Kubota put slots in the base of the filter so you can use a screwdriver and hammer to get it loose. Good luck, have fun. Philip.

Bswope · Feb 28, 2011

PHILIP8N said:
I would do it yourself. The top Kubota mechanic in the shop is not changing oil and filters, probably a lesser experienced kid. Plus, you will get the satisfaction of knowing you did the job right. Have heavy duty filter wrenches ready for the hydraulic and hst filters. The filter on the left, not sure which one it is now, was a real bear to get off. Luckly, Kubota put slots in the base of the filter so you can use a screwdriver and hammer to get it loose. Good luck, have fun. Philip.

Thanks for the reply Philip, this will give me something to do Saturday!
Hopefully they wont have my tractor too long but ive got a feeling they might have a hard time figuring out whats going on with it!:confused2:

Jay4200 · Feb 28, 2011

Bswope said:
Hey guys im at my 50hr service on my L3540 already and Im wondering who has done their own service and how did it go? Ive got to take it to the dealer for a couple issues and for poops and giggles I asked them how much it would cost for them to do the service, they want $250 to do the service while its there but I think im just gonna do it myself.

Always do everything yourself. Always.

Are you going to change the transmission fluid, or just the filter? I don't think a full fluid change is part of the 50 hr service any more, but I'd change everything, including the front axle fluid. The dough you save doing it yourself will pay for all of it. If all the fluid, make 4 drain pans out of cut-down 5 gallon buckets You'll need all of them when doing the transmission, unless you have a really big drain pan. FWIW, filter's weren't a problem for me - standard $2 Walmart oil filter wrench was plenty. Also, it won't take more than an hour or two.

JayC

bigbull338 · Feb 28, 2011

well my 50hr service time is fast approching.an im going to have the dealer pick it up an service the tractor.so i hope it dont cost $250 to service it.

bp fick · Feb 28, 2011

bigbull338 said:
well my 50hr service time is fast approching.an im going to have the dealer pick it up an service the tractor.so i hope it dont cost $250 to service it.

Head's up!!!! There's been some astounding prices reported lately on 50 hour service by a lot of guys. You'd best have a rock hard quote to agree to ahead of time. Just sayin'.

kevinj · Feb 28, 2011

bp fick said:
Head's up!!!! There's been some astounding prices reported lately on 50 hour service by a lot of guys. You'd best have a rock hard quote to agree to ahead of time. Just sayin'.

At the cost of UDT, oil, filters and labor that $250.00 number seems to be cheap.

There must be close to $200.00 in material for the 40 series tractors.

Some of the newer manuals show filter change only on the trans which will save a bunch of UDT cost, but I changed mine anyway.

bigbull338 · Feb 28, 2011

oh ill know what its going to cost when i call them to come get the tractor.i was going to have it serviced,but they said oh no we want todo the 1st service on it.

ZDB · Feb 28, 2011

I did the 50 hour on my M7040 myself. Not a big task really just follow the directions in the manual or on the forum and it goes pretty quickly.

$250, I had more than that in my UDT!
My tractor gets worked hard on almost every hour so I did the full fluid change and will continue at the recommended intervals.

kevinj · Feb 28, 2011

bigbull338 said:
oh ill know what its going to cost when i call them to come get the tractor.i was going to have it serviced,but they said oh no we want to do the 1st service on it.

They WANT to but they don't HAVE too. Now if they had the service built into the purchase price let them have at it:thumbsup:

I bought the filters and fluids from the dealer so I had a good record if there were any warranty issues down the road.