another Kubota UDT vs TSC premium hydro fluid?

DVR · Apr 9, 2007

so i bought 10gals of TSC traveller premium fluid. it clearly states it is an equal for kubota udt on the pails.

i did a search, read countless threads and still find myself somewhat confused. the only real info i found was the price difference vs the cost of the machine justifies the kubota brand fluid. i bought all kubota brand filters. fwiw: this is a gear driven L3400

my friends who are farmers will use anything. they laugh at me when i mention the mfg specific fluid.

thanks in advance.

btw: i am aware of the fluids and lubrication forum. i placed this here b/c it is kubota specific

bota7800 · Apr 10, 2007

My dealer sells New Holland and Kubota tractors. When I go in to get fluid they sell me the New Holland Ambra fluid. They say that is all they use in the service department. They do not stock UDT or Super UDT.

As long as it meets industry standards, I think it is fine. If I needed more fluid than I do, I would probably buy 5 gal pails at Sam's myself.

KennyV · Apr 10, 2007

If it meets manufacture spec… it meets manufactures spec.

There are a few people that suggest disputes with warranty claims is the reason to use manufactures oils, (disputes that have never taken place)… but then I guess you need to justify the large increase in price.
I also have used TSC premium hydro fluid in my Glide Shift Grand L … Works fine, never any problems.
My only consideration to change from TSC is to go with a real synthetic as I do see value in synthetic lubes… KennyV.

Muleskinner · Apr 11, 2007

I only used SUDT in my L39 until 150 hours. At that time, for price reasons, I decided to use a universal hydraulic fluid from Walmart that stated on the tub it met Kubota UDT specs. The first time I drove the tractor after changing the fluid and filters I noticed the transmission (GST) shifts were much harsher. Also when shifting from forward to reverse the engagement was much harsher too. I drained the fluid out at 200 hours and replaced it with SUDT with new filters. My shifts went back to normal. No harsh engagement. Now was it the fluid, I believe so. The proof is in the shifting as they say.

MessickFarmEqu · Apr 11, 2007

On a gear drive or GST tractor is not nearly as obvious as in a hydrostatic. I've heard several people who can tell the difference between UDT and Super UDT when paying attention to hydro whine and smoothness. There are many UDT equilivants, but as far as I know there are few (maybe none) that match SUDT.

bialecki · Apr 11, 2007

MessickFarmEqu said:
On a gear drive or GST tractor is not nearly as obvious as in a hydrostatic. I've heard several people who can tell the difference between UDT and Super UDT when paying attention to hydro whine and smoothness. There are many UDT equilivants, but as far as I know there are few (maybe none) that match SUDT.

When it comes time to replace the hydraulic fluid in my B7800 I will be using Kubota's Super UDT. Woodbury Tractor (Woodbury CT) recommends this based upon experience and overhauling equipment. So agreeing with Messick Farms and their experience there is no need for me to experiment with other brands to save a few dollars. However, with that said I do wonder who manufactures the fluid for Kubota.

Kendall69 · Apr 11, 2007

I changed and did not use the Super UDT, and boy did I notice the difference. There is a small hill on my property that I could go up in high and now I no longer could. I changed back to the Super and again I was able to climb in high.

I took it to the dealer and had the fluid changed again after 100 hours, and I didn't tell him to use Super, and guess what, yep, can't climb the hill.

The hill climb is only a small barometer for the overall performance between the Super, and other fluids. The super seems to grab better, and hold on longer before any slipping. It just seems I get better torque with the Super.

So off I went back to the dealer for yet again 10 gallons of Super Grrrrr.

Lesson learned ALWAYS specify the fluids you want to the dealer.

Ben3130 · Apr 11, 2007

I did my 50 hour service this past summer and when I went to the dealer to purchase fluids, they just gave me the SUDT. I didn't question them, I only knew enough to understand that was the high-end Kubota fluid. I don't know what the tractor came with (never asked), but I've never had a problem out of my L3130 (GST). I've never tried other fluids, and don't feel any compelling reason to "experiment". Besides, I don't know nearly enough about oils and hydraulic fluids to start changing things. I tend to go by what's in the manual and what the dealer tells me, unless I get some compelling reasons otherwise (from this forum, mostly).

DieselPower · Apr 11, 2007

MessickFarmEqu said:
On a gear drive or GST tractor is not nearly as obvious as in a hydrostatic. I've heard several people who can tell the difference between UDT and Super UDT when paying attention to hydro whine and smoothness. There are many UDT equilivants, but as far as I know there are few (maybe none) that match SUDT.

That's very true. There are many UTF's on the market that "meet" manufacturers spec's for UDT and SUDT. However just meeting the spec's doesn't mean it's a premium lubricant. Like everything else there's good and then there's better/best products. A lot of the UTF's on the market that meet Kubota spec's don't perform as well as the factory fluid or those made by specialty lubricant manufacturers. It all comes down to you get what you pay for. Buy a VW bug, it drives like one. Buy a BMW and it better drive like one.

I have sold TRC's UTF to many people and it performed as well if not better than the factory fill. However it is only slightly cheaper than the Kubota branded SUDT. Buy a premium product and it performs like one.

art · Apr 11, 2007

Your covering the oils pretty good, we find differences in the oils and the life of parts from their use. The gritty on it is, the testing comparables for the ratings isn't all there is to oils!

The additives used in the oil is whats most important to the engine or for where ever oil is used.. Many often think it's the refinery but it is in the formula that makes the difference in the performance of an oil.

DieselPower · Apr 11, 2007

That's very true. The oil itself only plays a very small part in how well it performs. The major differences come in how it is blended. Higher quality lubricants can have 4 to 5 times the additive package level when compared to a low quality (cheap) lubricating oil.

johnk · Apr 11, 2007

I just did my 50 hr fluid changes on my GST 3130. Two dealersd said to use only the super UDT for the tranny and rear differential. They said you could use regular gear oil or Regular kubuta UDT for the front axle and that is what i did. Also have to remember the wet brakes....After payiny good money for your tractor what's the difference of a few more bucks for the Super UDT if they say it's really needed. Why take the chance? I had a lot of crap in my hydraulic filter after my 50 hr maintinance.

hwew · Apr 12, 2007

Hey guys since it is going to get hot soon I thought I would bring a post that was started last summer.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/83241-b7500-hst-power-steering-3-a.html

There is other good Hydro fluid out there that will protect better in hot weather.

I used to run Super UDT until I figured out what was causing my problems.

My tractor is fine since I got rid of Super UDT.

The larger Kubota's have better oil coolers for the Hydro Fluid Than the B series tractors. I believe this makes a differance and Super UDT seems to work fine in them.

Super UDT and Chevron Synthetic All Weather THF work great in cold weather.

If any of you have steering or lift problems in hot weather spend some time reading the post I posted above.

A while back I recieved emails from two other B series tractor owners that had the same problems I had and thier problems went away when they switched to a full Synthetic Fluid.

I am just want to inform us tractor owners about a problem that could develop in HOT weather.

Just keep this in mind.

Be safe.

GregH · Apr 17, 2007

The only UTF that meets SUDT specs is the Chevron Synthetic ALL weather UTF.. Believe what you wll but the specs are there for a reason. Don't be cheap and ruin your equipment. Hydro's and Glide Shifts are mostly impacted by not using the correct fluid.
greg Harrison

johnk · Apr 17, 2007

The extra few bucks you spend over the long run should give you a sense of security so to speak. After the initial investment why take a chance with unproven hydro fluid instaed of the hydro of choice, super UDT for the application. If I heard from an owner who used an off brand instead of sudt in his GST for 4000 or so hours and had no problems. Then I'd switch.

hwew · Apr 17, 2007

GregH said:
The only UTF that meets SUDT specs is the Chevron Synthetic ALL weather UTF.. Believe what you wll but the specs are there for a reason. Don't be cheap and ruin your equipment. Hydro's and Glide Shifts are mostly impacted by not using the correct fluid.
greg Harrison

Chevron Synthetic All Weather THF is the only Hydro fluid that has a Super UDT spec. and it is good stuff. It fixed my steering and 3 point lift problems. as I wrote in the fourm I started. Take time and read what I went through.

It holds up better to higher temps than Kubota Super UDT.
And works great in cold weather just as Kubota Super UDT fluid.
No problems of any kind.

A proven product in my B7500.

Anyone that has a heat related problem with hydro fluid I would recommend trying Chevron Synthetic All Weather THF.

KennyV · Apr 18, 2007

hwew…
First I would like to thank you for your efforts in ‘testing’ the effective use of Chevron THF. Not many would take the time to do this … even fewer would take the time to post the results.
There are always going to be people that think the manufacture will ALWAYS spec the best product for their application. (not always true).
There are others that get unreasonably defensive when they hear ‘synthetic’.
Then there are others that still think the s in SUDT stands for synthetic, just because the stuff is priced like a synthetic. (actually it is a multi-viscosity fluid, no synthetic).

I am slightly over due for a change of my fluids… I have been considering changing to a full synthetic… Using UDT or TSC premium fluid my trans temp has been in the 190 to 195 degree range. This is mowing with a 7 foot RFM with the air temp in the 90 to 100 degree range. (but with 40 degree air from my AC vents, love this L4200GST cab). I know changing to synthetic lube has dropped all my gear box temps, and I have always ran mobil1 Delvac1, (now available as mobil1 ‘Turbo Diesel truck’) in my diesel engines…
Looking at synthetics for the hydraulic system, you have pushed me in the Chevron direction, so I will check for the availability of 11 gallons or so in the Wichita vicinity… Thanks again, Kenny

DVR · Apr 20, 2007

fwiw:
i returned the tractor supply fluid and bought 10 gallons of kubota udt today.
got $73.73 for returning 10 gallons at tsc. paid $117.98 for 10 gallons at the kubota dealer. small price to keep from second guessing myself for the next 400 hours.

while at sam's club yesterday I checked out their tractor hydro fluid. it listed the mfg's is was compatable with. it also specificly stated it may not meet some mfg's specifications.

Greenfield Dave · Apr 20, 2007

I don't know where you guys buy your Kubota fluid, but I need to find out!

I have an L4400 with about 90 hours on it. When I went to my dealer to buy the filters and hydraulic fluid for the 50 hour change, they quoted me about $42.00 for 2 1/2 gallons!! That's about $170 for fluid alone! I ended up using CO-OP 75 fluid, which says it meets or exceeds standards, for about $85 total!

The tractor seems fine, but I occasionally smell hot fluid when working the FEL hard in hot weather.

I am a synthetic fan, and have it in all the other fluids, but couldn't find the Chevron. But I will look harder next time.

Thanks for the info
Dave