Biodegradeable Oil

BXTotal · Oct 28, 2010

I am interested in using biodegradable oil in my tractor (Kioti CK20HST). I am most interested in the HST fluid because the likelyhood of large scale leaks seems pretty high (I use a backhoe as well as the FEL). The total amount of fluid is also pretty significant.

I am using bio based bar and engine oil in my chainsaw and have been pleased. I have also started using bio based EP grease.

There seem to be several companies out there manufacturing universal tractor fluid that is biodegradable. I have also been told that biodegradable fluid is standard equipment for Kubota in some markets (not USA).

Two questions:

1. Anyone have experience with biodegradable UTF ? If so what fluid are you running ?
2. Can anyone confirm that Kubota original equipment fluid is biodegradable in Europe/Japan ? Anyone know if this product is available in the USA ?

clemsonfor · Oct 28, 2010

Mabe its biodegrateable in Japan for rice fields so that if you get a couple gallons to go in the rice water it doset kill a whole large area of rice where in america if it spills there will just be a dead spot in one small localized area. I know boats use bio hydro oil like veggie oil. Never thought of using it in a tractor.

mdunaway · Oct 28, 2010

jacobsen was offering a peanut oil hydro fluid dyed green for golf course use.seemf the life was a little shorter than dino.but then a leak on greens or tees is extremely damaging and costly.

mdunaway · Oct 28, 2010

shell,amsoil and hydrosafe all offer such a product.

RalphVa · Oct 29, 2010

Synthetic would be fairly biodegradable because it wouldn't have any or very little additives.

Ralph

BXTotal · Nov 1, 2010

Anyone actually have actual experience with bio UTF ? I am wondering if there are any things I should be aware of before I switch.

My tractor manual lists several specific products as acceptable for use as UTF; however, it does not list a specification number or describe the requirements for UTF. This makes it a bit hard to know for certain if any particular bio oil will be appropriate. None of the recommended products are bio.

If anyone is aware of a Kubota or Kioti part number for bio UTF, this would be ideal. If I use something from the manufacturer of the equipment I would have some confidence that it is appropriate.

BJN644 · Nov 1, 2010

The recommended fluids from Kioti are hard to find in my area and they don't market their own brand. You said that you have found companies that make bio oil, do they list any specs that say what standards they meet? If you found one that said it met Kubota UDT I would think you would be fine.

brucew44guns · Nov 6, 2010

RalphVa said:
Synthetic would be fairly biodegradable because it wouldn't have any or very little additives.

Ralph

Ralph, I wondered what synthetic product you would refer to in thinking it had none or little additive? The synthetic products refer to base oil, such as poly alpha olefins, but the goodies that prevent wear, and tear, and foaming, and rust, etc, are additives apart from the base oil just like in conventional lube products. Synthetic lubes would pollute dirt, water, grass etc about the same as any of the rest.

BXTotal · Oct 10, 2011

Just a follow up for anyone that might be interested in this thread.

I swapped my CK20HST transmission oil with JD bio-hygard biodegradable fluid. So far, so good. No problems. Everything works as it should.

Transmission seems a bit quieter but it is hard to be sure.