Oil & Fuel First oil change 50hr, yes or no?

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've always changed my Kubotas engine oil and filters near 50 hours per the owners manual. Mine has always been black at the time.

 

[PeterK]

1st changes are most important as others have noted. My dealer (Union Farm Equipment) provided the fluids and filters to do the 1st change for free if I DIY. Ask yours.

Something I would not skip, especially on a new unit. Service intervals are not random.

 

[s219]

Yeah, I'd do it at 50 hours -- the "optical" quality of the oil you see on the dipstick doesn't tell you much about all the other garbage collecting in the pan....

 

[Gary Fowler]

Some engines don't use break in oil but my LS did. At 50 hours the oil was clear as new oil. I changed it to Shell Rotella T6 and within a few hours the oil was black like diesel oil should look. I think the original oil was a non detergent oil specifically made to allow wear in of components. If yours is clean after 56 hours, then you likely have non-detergent break-in type oil as well and it needs to come out and be replaced with a good quality diesel motor oil.

If you have an HST transmission, it likely is due for the first oil and filter change also. Some gear drive models will only call for a filter change at 50 hours. Follow your OEM manual for what needs to be done now and as the cops say "DO IT, DO IT NOW".

 

[namesray]

Ok, y'all convinced me to do it. Very good points on the "break in oil", I never even gavethat one a thought. Also, the clearness on the dip stick was slightly mis leading, as what came out was ever so slightly darker. Not much, but little bit.

I opened the drain plugs and went and mowed 2 lawns. When I got back, I changed filter and filled it back up with kubota 10w 30. Greased it up and found a loose tie rod nut, tightened it, and sent it off on a bush hog job.

All in all not much of an inconvenience and I am good to go until the 400hr mark. (Tractor is gear shift and manual states no hyd filter change until 400hrs). Thanks to everyone again for the advice. Tbn came through again.

 

[Raw Dodge]

400 hrs that's 350 on the oil,I never go over 250,irregardless of what the manual says...oil is cheap and should be changed once a year minimum which works out to 125-250 hrs for my yammer diesel..

 

[BTDT2]

FWIW- The water from my tap also looks clear, but the buildup on my hot water heater anode tells me otherwise.

 

[Bluegill2]

Also, not changing oil at 50 would likely void the warranty.

 

[bellweather]

That's the thing about preventative maintenance...unlike fixing something broken, you usually don't see dramatic results, until much later on.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I dropped about 30 grand on my tractor. Don't think I'll skip the oil changes to save $50 and an hour of my time. Just sayin'

^^^^This.

I'm simply amazed that people consider NOT changing the oil(s) AND filter(s) at 50 hours. ESPECIALLY when the book calls for it. Is this REALLY an issue people struggle with?