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

[bandit67]

Well, I guess I'll keep an eye on it this next go-around.

Not sure what was in it from the factory back in '08, but there didn't appear to be significant breakdown in the oil itself, so lubrication was probably fine. Oil viscosity seemed more like UDT or SUDT than the gear oil. I refilled it with SUDT2, which is synthetic, though I'm not sure if it's a synthetic blend or full synthetic.

I may change the intervals to 150 hours on the axle just for some added insurance if it is determined that the SUDT2 is not a full synthetic.

I'm not all that concerned with what I found, but I have a better idea of the wear going on in there now. If I had found anything larger, I'd be tearing into the front end to check it out, but I'm pretty confident, based on the consistency in the miniscule particle size, it's normal.

As a side note, I ran Shaeffer's synthetic blend in the tranny/hydro from 50-300 hours, and it was perfectly clear and looked brand new. This time around, it was easier to get the SUDT2, plus I was getting tired of the particular odor of the Schaeffer's when it got real hot, so thought I'd try the new Kubota synthetic.

 

[AMR]

I did my B3030 at 50 hours and re-filled with with SUDT, I was surprised how dirty the fluid was, on the last few drips out while I was draining it I got a really fine shiny glimmer of metal particles but nothing that got me concerned

 

[Jay4200]

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.

My tractor had about 2000 hours on it when I got it. I changed my axle oil after I used it for about 300 hours - it looked like there might've been UDT in there, but I don't know for sure - I put in 75W-90 dino gear oil. I changed it again after 200 hours (1/2 gallon low at that point due to bezel seal leak) and filled with 85W-140 gear oil (like molasses - good for a bezel seal leak). I don't remember either of the dumped oils being particularly dirty and definitely don't remember there being any metallics in it.

I wouldn't worry about it too much if it was the first change.

JayC

 

[slowzuki]

On mine the metallic specs where a bearing cage that got eaten up. Replaced the seals and bearings on that side.

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.

 

[dfkrug]

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.

Really? SUDT and not UDT or some generic hyd oil? Is that what the dealer
says? If SUDT, that is quite surprising as that cold-climate stuff is
expensive, and I think those units are assembled in GA.

Anyway, going to a gear lube ASAP is what I would do, too. There is no
filtration in an axle.

 

[bp fick]

Yes, it is easier to just fill them all with sudt, or so it is reported. One gun fills them all. Done. Just reporting, not verifying anything. Actually, sudt and sudt-2 is pretty great stuff, and SUDT (in spite of the stupid snow flakes on the bottle) is NOT just for cold climates, but I digress.

In any case, udt or sudt, made no difference to me. It is an axle and axle gear lube went into mine. End of story.

Same thing with my RFM gear box. Sucked out whatever came in there and re-filled with synthetic 75w-90. Only took 14 oz, so good peace of mind.

 

[herringchoker]

Did my 300 hour service today and used Premium UDT in the transmission, Wal-Mart tractor trans-hydraulic oil (says on the jug it meets Kubota UDT spec.) in the front axle, and Rotella T 15W40 in the engine.

 

[jonyyuma]

Extreme pressure on the gears is going to hone the driven parts. Metal flake of tiny chips will be there even if you have no failures. Differentials generate a tremendous amout of heat when operating.