BX Transmission Filter Change

[Samwise]

My first 50 hour maintenance is due on my 2015 BX2370. The owner's manual says engine oil, oil filter, and transmission filter. Easy enough. The manual also says to check fluids after the filter change and top off if needed. Makes since.

I go to the dealer to get my fluids and filters and he tells me I'm going to lose about a gallon of tranny fluid when I change the tranny filter because the filter is low on the case. Now - is he trying to sell oil or get me to bring the tractor in for maintenance? Or is he right and and the manual doesn't mention it?

 

[davesl708]

The filter is low. You might want to go ahead and drain the fluid so you can check the suction screen at this time. You can save the fluid in a clean tank and reuse it.

Another method is to hook a shop vac hose to the fill hole on the transmission to suck air through the oil while you remove/replace the filter. You will loose very little fluid that way.

 

[4Kings]

I have an older BX so my experience may not apply but is there any mention of removing and cleaning the transmission screen.

 

[Deano]

Use a shop vac on the fill port of the hydraulic system and you will not lose any! Have someone hols it there while you swap out the filter.

 

[Paystar]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.....3 different reps from Kubota told me at a dealer show to change the oil! Manual is not accurate.

But you payed for it, and I don't buy used, so do whatever makes you feel good. They told me many a horror stories about people trying to save a couple gallons of oil.

 

[TripleR]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...08-do-your-own-fluids-filters.html?highlight=

The Kubota BX25 Full Service Video - YouTube

 

[davesl708]

As Paystar mentioned. My manual calls for replacing the fluid at 50hrs as well as cleaning the suction screen. New parts have to wear together and you will find small grit and machine cuttings in the oil and screens.

 

[Pepsiboy]

My first 50 hour maintenance is due on my 2015 BX2370. The owner's manual says engine oil, oil filter, and transmission filter. Easy enough. The manual also says to check fluids after the filter change and top off if needed. Makes since.

I go to the dealer to get my fluids and filters and he tells me I'm going to lose about a gallon of tranny fluid when I change the tranny filter because the filter is low on the case. Now - is he trying to sell oil or get me to bring the tractor in for maintenance? Or is he right and and the manual doesn't mention it?

Samwise,

I changed my hydro fluid and filter and cleaned the screen at 50 hrs. I'm just now at 400 hrs on my BX250, and will be changing it ALL again. This time IF there is nothing on the screen, I'll probably change ONLY the filter next time around. :soapbox: :twocents:

Dave

 

[David_Kb7uns]

Changed fluids and filter on every Kubota we have L3130, BX2230, RTV1100, G2160, at the 50 hour mark. Did not ever think it was wasteful with all the metallic flakes and after the used fluid settled in the bucket for a few days there is always metallic sludge that formed. With the BX having a single hydraulic tank that is shared with the hydro transmission I think it is worth the couple of gallons used, my L3130 holds almost 14 gallons of SUDT so more consideration is needed on cost.

I do not see a benefit of keeping oil that has the fine particals from breakin, in the fluid and then circulating it through the hydro for hours of use vs the little extra cost of the proper fluid.

David

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

You will not lose much fluid replacing hydro/transmission filter only! Checking the screen is another matter, it all will flow out. If you buy a quart of SUDT2, you will have some left over. I replace my hydro filter once every year and also I replaced my hydro fluid and filter at 50 hours, checked screen also. Manual says not needed till like 400 hours. I wanted to get the break in shavings out if any, on my BX25D.

 

[s219]

We've gone through this debate before, same stories.

I say don't touch the fluid at 50 hours. There's a reason Kubota doesn't call for it -- it's hydraulic fluid, not engine oil being contaminated by combustion. It can easily go several hundred hours before needing a change.

Yes, if you dump the fluid you will see gray stuff, but if its in the fluid and not in the filter, it means it wasn't circulating. Probably sitting next to / near the plug (which is usually magnetic). The filter catches stuff down to the micron level, so if a particle does circulate it won't make a return trip.

 

[OVRxNxOUT]

My first 50 hour maintenance is due on my 2015 BX2370. The owner's manual says engine oil, oil filter, and transmission filter. Easy enough. The manual also says to check fluids after the filter change and top off if needed. Makes since.

I go to the dealer to get my fluids and filters and he tells me I'm going to lose about a gallon of tranny fluid when I change the tranny filter because the filter is low on the case. Now - is he trying to sell oil or get me to bring the tractor in for maintenance? Or is he right and and the manual doesn't mention it?

Samwise,

Your manual is correct as far as the first 50 hours, wanting you to change your engine oil, oil filter, & trans/hyd. filters. This is your break in period for your tractor. The manual does not mention that you are going to lose some hydraulic fluid when you change that filter. Depending on how quick you are changing your filters will depend on how much fluid you end up losing. It looks like to me there has been a few people that has mentioned some pretty good ideas on how to minimize the fluid you lose.

I also read where someone mentioned to capture & reuse the fluid in a clean bucket, etc. I'm not saying its wrong to do, but I would caution against this. You really want to avoid any contaminates inadvertently getting into your clean oil in even the minimal amount of time it is exposed to the elements, whether in a shop or not.

There have been customers of mine that have said they parked their tractor on ramps, etc. to slow fluid loss between filters. With the BX filter being in the middle of the trans. I cannot say how well this worked first hand. Its just an idea that I thought to throw out there.

Last, I don't think you should lose anything over a quart, however, I wouldn't necessarily say your dealer is just trying to get you to bring your tractor in or upsell you on fluid just yet. He may just be saying a gallon because that may be the shop minimum charge on their oil. I know that our minimum charge is 1 quart. Its more for inventory purposes than anything. Its hard for us dealers to buy or order say, 1.125 quarts or gallons of oil from Kubota and/or bill out 1.125 quarts or gallons as it plays havoc with our inventory sometimes. ...Just for a little insight.

 

[Paystar]

Quote: There's a reason kubota doesn't call for it

And that reason according to three different Kubota reps I spoke to said the manual is not accurate.

Take it for what it's worth. Don't shoot the messenger. Just saying what I was told at a dealer meeting.

 

[milkman]

I'm not one to waste good oil, and I usually go by the recommended service intervals. When I got my BX way back in '01, it was recommended to change the hydro fluid and filter at 50 hrs. Knowing the shavings and metal bits that came out of the screen and the bottom of the case, I will change oil and fluid in any new machine I get after seeing what was left in there. When I did my 1000 hr service, I just changed the hydro filter and used a shop vac in the fill hole, the only fluid that was lost was what was in the filter. I read about the shop vac trick here and it really works.

 

[Samwise]

Glad I asked.

For this initial break in service it looks like the prudent thing to do is replace the tranny fluid and check the screen. It seems a small price to pay for longevity.

thanks everyone.

 

[OVRxNxOUT]

Glad I asked.

For this initial break in service it looks like the prudent thing to do is replace the tranny fluid and check the screen. It seems a small price to pay for longevity.

thanks everyone.

Cant argue with that, you cant go wrong with fresh fluids. Sam, if you have any questions that I might be able to help you out with, always feel free to send me a message my friend. Have a great weekend!

 

[TripleR]

I am often reminded of the old saying, "my mind is already made up, don't bother me with facts." Yeah, I do it too. The debate will never end, but JOHNTHOMAS contacted Kubota Corporation and received this response:

"John, the person or persons from TBN do not know what they are talking about. There has not been a Service Bulletin or even a notice sent to the dealers that this is a mistake in the Operators manual. Kubota Tractor recommends for you to follow your Operators manuals for servicing of each unit you have. The BX2660 and the BX25 do not have to have the transmission fluid change until it reaches the 400 hour mark. For the F2680, it is the 200 hour mark. The transmission oil filters need to be replaced and the suction strainers cleaned at or before the 50 hour mark for all three units. Your selling dealer can also assist you if you have any questions in regard to servicing your tractors. Thank you for purchasing and contacting Kubota Tractor Corp.."

 

[David_Kb7uns]

I am often reminded of the old saying, "my mind is already made up, don't bother me with facts." Yeah, I do it too. The debate will never end, but JOHNTHOMAS contacted Kubota Corporation and received this response:

"John, the person or persons from TBN do not know what they are talking about. There has not been a Service Bulletin or even a notice sent to the dealers that this is a mistake in the Operators manual. Kubota Tractor recommends for you to follow your Operators manuals for servicing of each unit you have. The BX2660 and the BX25 do not have to have the transmission fluid change until it reaches the 400 hour mark. For the F2680, it is the 200 hour mark. The transmission oil filters need to be replaced and the suction strainers cleaned at or before the 50 hour mark for all three units. Your selling dealer can also assist you if you have any questions in regard to servicing your tractors. Thank you for purchasing and contacting Kubota Tractor Corp.."

And after seeing what comes out at the 50 hour mark with the super fine sludge, I WILL STILL CHANGE IT . Kubota needs to provide documentation and oil analysis to prove us wrong otherwise they are still wrong in my book.

David

 

[TripleR]

And after seeing what comes out at the 50 hour mark with the super fine sludge, I WILL STILL CHANGE IT . Kubota needs to provide documentation and oil analysis to prove us wrong otherwise they are still wrong in my book.

David

No need to shout, in the end we all do what we think is best for our machines.

 

[Paystar]

I am often reminded of the old saying, "my mind is already made up, don't bother me with facts." Yeah, I do it too. The debate will never end, but JOHNTHOMAS contacted Kubota Corporation and received this response:

"John, the person or persons from TBN do not know what they are talking about. There has not been a Service Bulletin or even a notice sent to the dealers that this is a mistake in the Operators manual. Kubota Tractor recommends for you to follow your Operators manuals for servicing of each unit you have. The BX2660 and the BX25 do not have to have the transmission fluid change until it reaches the 400 hour mark. For the F2680, it is the 200 hour mark. The transmission oil filters need to be replaced and the suction strainers cleaned at or before the 50 hour mark for all three units. Your selling dealer can also assist you if you have any questions in regard to servicing your tractors. Thank you for purchasing and contacting Kubota Tractor Corp.."

John Deere didn't admit to the mistakes in their manuals that caused all the driveshaft problems they denied warranty on also. Just saying. LOL.