For those of you who have changed your front axle oil...

[bandit67]

Did my 300 hour service today, and changed the front axle oil for the first time per the Operator's Manual.

I was a little surprised at how much "microscopic" metal flecks were in the oil, though probably not that surprising given the 300 hours of use. I probably should have done it at 50 hours, but decided back then to go with what Kubota recommended.

So, for those of you who have done the axle change, did you also find plenty of "metallic sparkle" ? I collected a sample, if it turns out that it seems as if my situation is uncommon, so that I can then send it off for analysis.

 

[wdchyd]

Bandit,

What did you use for oil....??...what does Kubota use for new equipment....??

 

[bp fick]

Kubota fills with sudt. At the time of purchase, my dealer stressed the need to dump it virtually immediately and fill with gear lube. I listened to him. He based that recommendation on their experience. FWIW.

Although, given our brutal winters, I did re-fill with synthetic 75w-90. Same price as dino 80w-90. I am sure there will be some metallic wear in that axle. I don't see how it is avoidable completely.

 

[Happyman]

I also had little "sparkles" in the sudt oil when I changed it in my 3940. Went back with gear lube. Not concerned about the metal flakes. All part of the break-in.

 

[wdchyd]

Nice avatar Happyman..!!

 

[kuboman]

I have done all of mine at 50 hrs and was surprised each time how dirty it was for so few hours. 50 hrs is the max time I would run these difs before the first change.:thumbsup:

 

[Happyman]

Nice avatar Happyman..!!

Thanks. I LOVE hunting season. My son and I hunt deer, turkey and black bear on our farm.

 

[wdchyd]

I got a nice 9 pt/196# this year.......sorry to get off subject......:ashamed:

 

[wdchyd]

Ooooo, I see Kubota recommends changing it at 400 hrs in my operators manual......I'll have to check with my guy to see if he changed it at 50 or just checked the level......

I'll be on this one.......don't like the silver stuff in my oil either.....:confused2:

Quite the extremes between the SDUT and the 80/90wt.........

 

[Verticaltrx]

Quite the extremes between the SDUT and the 80/90wt.........

The weight of the oil isn't whats important, it's the lubricity. I wouldn't worry about running either, I personal run 80w-90 since its cheaper and I have it in bulk in the shop here.