Hydraulic oil change

[repete]

Just turned 6700 hours on my L2550DT.
I brought it up for a full service: hyd fluid and filter, engine oil and filter change, fuel filter change and adjusted some items like clutch pedal starter depressed position etcetera.

I was pleased to find NOTHING in the hydraulic oil sumps, not even a sheen of metal. I wiped my finger in the drain holes and found nothing. I likely could have reused the fluid but changed to new AW32 synthetis from Tractor Supply. The filter held a surprise though. After removing the filter case to examine the pleats I found a metal turning piece from machining, that distinct spiral turning any machinist would recognize. I would have thought with that many hours all of that would have been gone...

The fuel filter had gone over 1000 hours and it had nothing but clear fuel in the bowl. Not a drop of water or the typical white creamy stuff. Metal ends of the filter had not a spot of rust. I think it pays to keep the tank full and filter what goes in when filling.

Engine oil was black.... What can I say. Only thing I have to deal with is a slow drip from the rear main seal but a quart of oil every 100 hours makes me hesitant to split the little guy.

 

[RjCorazza]

That's a lot of hours! Are you certain AW32 hydraulic oil is the correct fluid? Most tractors use a universal transmission / hydraulic fluid.

 

[repete]

That's a lot of hours! Are you certain AW32 hydraulic oil is the correct fluid? Most tractors use a universal transmission / hydraulic fluid.

It is a universal hydraulic fluid with a AW32 viscosity rating. I had thought, due to the tractor age I might go with a 46 or 68 but with no evidence of wear, I stayed with the lighter 32 rating. The 32 rating is rated for well within my operating temperature range in my climate and conditions.
PS, like the helmet. Mine had a E31, L31 or A31...

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Let's hope that the synthetic fluid you bought really is.

I recently bought 10 gallons of gear oil from TS that was said to be, but wasn't. They were very fair and refunded my money. Anyway, I'd check to make sure.

Have been using Valvoline VV813 in my '10 M6040 since the first fluid change and basic AW-32 in the backhoes - that don't share the hydraulic fluids with anything else.

 

[repete]

Let's hope that the synthetic fluid you bought really is.

I recently bought 10 gallons of gear oil from TS that was said to be, but wasn't. They were very fair and refunded my money. Anyway, I'd check to make sure.

Have been using Valvoline VV813 in my '10 M6040 since the first fluid change and basic AW-32 in the backhoes - that don't share the hydraulic fluids with anything else.

Now I am concerned.. Thanks for the heads up on the syn vs non syn. How did you come to realize that it was not?

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Something made me suspicious, so I checked the part number on the pails in TS's photos against the manufacturer's web site. Then called the manufacturer which confirmed my suspicions.

That was not a TS brand, so your case might be a bit trickier. A good indicator could be the price, which if not consistent with other sources could be a clue. I think that's what planted the seed for me initially.

 

[Pinecrest]

I know Kubota Hydraulic is expensive , and if you buy it from Amazon it could be counterfeited ...but when changing every 1,000 hrs why not put in the real stuff ? [Kubota udt2 >$53gal ] = $.15/hr On my IH684 I think my last hydraulic change [AGRI] ate up the seals ?? =$+++

 

[Shawn T. W.]

$150 for 5 gallon pail for SUDT2 from Kubota dealer ... That's what I bought last ...

Both Permatran 821XL and Hygard is about the same price ...

 

[Too many Kubotas]

$150 for 5 gallon pail for SUDT2 from Kubota dealer ...

So a mere $450 for a fluid change, plus filters.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Yup, every 400 hours on mine ... About $100 a year for most people ... Who burn a whole lot more in fuel in the same time frame ...