Anybody NOT using UDT or Super UDT

RobJ · Sep 18, 2006

Little followup. I'm driving up to the weekend place thinking about all this. There is a dealer right on the way. I call and ask if he has UDT, 10 gallons or so. Says yes but asks if my tractor is still in warranty. Nope I say and he suggests a "cheaper" off brand. Some stuff that comes out of San Antonio. Sorry don't recall the name. $45 for 5 gallons. Says the UDT is about $65 for 5 gallons. Screw that I say and go with original plan. I stop by the COOP on the way and buy 5 gallons tractor hydraulic oil for $22.50. Same stuff people use in the Deeres, NH, Fords, dozers, etc. Good enough for my plain Jane gear tractor. I'll let you know how it goes in 20 years or so,

Jay4200 · Sep 27, 2006

RobJ said:
Anybody saving some money by using regular tractor oil? What kind? Walmart?

I'm using Sam's Club generic tractor fluid. It says that it is compatable with Kubota UDT on the bucket. I think it was somewhere around ~$26 for a 5-gallon bucket.

When I slam my tractor into forward, it goes forward. Same for reverse. My FEL and backhoe go up and down too. What more can be said?

I don't believe that there are significant differences in hydraulic fluids anyway - I'm marketing hype cynical though.

Jay

RobJ · Sep 27, 2006

Jay,

Is that in the white 5 gallon bucket? I saw some at Sams and it didn't really say anything on the bucket. I've got to run by there on the way home anyway and will take another look. The $22 at the coop was a little better. But I did stand in from of that oil for 5 minutes deciding what I wanted to do.

Jay4200 · Sep 27, 2006

RobJ said:
Jay,

Is that in the white 5 gallon bucket? I saw some at Sams and it didn't really say anything on the bucket. I've got to run by there on the way home anyway and will take another look. The $22 at the coop was a little better. But I did stand in from of that oil for 5 minutes deciding what I wanted to do.

Yes, it is white, and has lots of smallish print writing all over it. I checked out the bucket in my garage - it is "Universal Heavy-Duty Tractor Hydraulic and Transmission Fluid". There is a list of products that it claims to be compatable, though there is a disclamer that some specifications may not be met for some products. Kubota UDT is listed. I don't know if it is one that falls short, but my tractor works fine with it in there. The shifting is smooth with about a half-second delay between gears or forward/reverse. The shift characteristics remain consistant from when I first start the tractor to when it is running at full temperature. Works for me - I'm going to continue to use it.

I believe that fluid contamination (from dirt, moisture, and/or clutch debris) is more of a concern than loosing viscosity, so I'd rather by cheap stuff and change it more often then buy expensive stuff and keep it in there longer.

Jay

RobJ · Sep 27, 2006

I was in sams today, forgot the camera but looked close again..not much writing on it. The "name" was something like AW 46?? White bucket with blue writing if I recall. I spun it around and unless I'm just missing it (possible) I don't see any details., Thanks for the info.

Jay4200 · Sep 29, 2006

RobJ said:
I was in sams today, forgot the camera but looked close again..not much writing on it. The "name" was something like AW 46?? White bucket with blue writing if I recall. I spun it around and unless I'm just missing it (possible) I don't see any details., Thanks for the info.

That must be different stuff. Your description rings a bell though - I think there is a bucket from that stuff filled with sand that we use to hold the door open and toss butts into at my gun club

.

The stuff I bought has green writing and was definately targeted at heavy duty tractor use - being called 'HD Tractor Hydraulic and Transmission...' and all, not to mention specifically calling out Kubota UDT as a comp. If that "AW46" or whatever stuff looks like generic hydraulic fluid, I wouldn't use it. OTOH, I'd probably be comfortable with anything that had "Tractor" in the title.

Jay