IS TRC UTF Red reasonable hydraulic fluid? Service wants me to change.

[acohen100]

I put UTF Red into my BX-24 about 2-3 years ago. Just took my tractor into service and got a call from the service manager telling me that I needed to change it out right away because it was the incorrect fluid. He wants to flush it out twice to make sure "we get it all out," and put the Kubota SUDT in there. Now I'm a little nervous. What should I do? This will cost $300+ and may be a downgrade.

 

[LBrown59]

1*I put UTF Red into my BX-24 about 2-3 years ago.
Just took my tractor into service and got a call from the service manager telling me that I needed to change it out right away because it was the incorrect fluid. He wants to flush it out twice to make sure "we get it all out," and put the Kubota SUDT in there. Now I'm a little nervous.
2*What should I do? This will cost $300+ and
3* may be a downgrade.

1*Is this automatic transmission fluid ?
If so why did you put transmission fluid in a BX 24 when the manual calls for hydraulic fluid ?
2*Buy the SUDT and transmission flilter and change it out your self .
It's not a big job and saves a bunch of money in labor.
3*How could putting the wrong fluid in it have been an upgrade over using the correct fluid ?:confused2:

 

[acohen100]

Well there used to be a TRC rep on these forums, Dieselpower was his name I think. He sold me on the fact the UTF Red was hydraulic fluid and was an upgrade over SUDT. Everyone at the time seemed to agree so I bought a 5gal drum and used it. I do not think that it is ATF.

http://www.texasrefinery.com/lb-utfred.htm

If you look at the table at the bottom they list it as a replacement for SUDT.

"Texas Refinery Corp.'s UTF is an extremely versatile hydraulic/power transmission oil that has been developed for use in a wide variety of equipment. The special added dye in the formulation provides the added benefit of helping to detect fluid leaks. "

 

[bp fick]

Texas Refinery made and sold pretty good products from all accounts.

Let me ask you this. So how many hours over the past few years has that fluid operated? Have you noticed any performance difficulties? My guess is, since you didn't say, that you had no problems, right?

The red color is probably freaking out the Kubota service manager. Frankly? I might change it to sudt II, but I'd sure do it myself. Beyond me why anyone would pay to do such a simple job, but that's just me. Just tell him to have 3 gallons and the filter ready and you'll buy the parts but have been itchin' to do it yourself.

 

[bp fick]

Imagine how freaked he would've been had you used Deere fluid in there? Nice green dye they use. Or Chevron/Texaco which is dyed orange? :laughing:

 

[crashz]

It is a replacement for Kubota SUDT as shown in the link attached. Its fine.

I bet the service manager is thinking its ATF, so he is freaking out.

BTW - I like TRC lubes, and would use them exclusively if I could get small quantities without being a dealer. I sold it for a few years, but its a tough sell with its premium price and bulk quantities.

 

[5030]

Imagine how freaked he would've been had you used Deere fluid in there? Nice green dye they use. Or Chevron/Texaco which is dyed orange? :laughing:

First off, all hydraulic oil is very light amber to clear so the color is added so you can discern the level in the gearbox or on the dipstick.

I use Chevron Synthetic in both my Kubota's, the 105 and the 9000, have since the first changeout with no issues and it's orange (like Kubota's)....:laughing:

You can dye it yourself. It's (dye) is available at your auto parts store.

The service mamager / technician is an idiot and he's banking on the op being an idiot with a fat wallet as well.

Techinically, you can use any compatible fluid so long as the specification meets or exceeds the OEM spec and there ain't squat any dealer can do and they can't deny any warranty claim, basing it on a non-OEM fluid.

I guess the bumpkin (dealership mechanic) never heard of the Magnuseon-Moss Act. That crap was litigated a decade ago to the chagrin of all the OEM's.

 

[WilliamBos]

I guess the bumpkin (dealership mechanic) never heard of the Magnuseon-Moss Act. That crap was litigated a decade ago to the chagrin of all the OEM's.

That does apply to tractors too then??

 

[5030]

That does apply to tractors too then??

Anything with an internal combustion engine, tractors included however not in Canada. It was a United States Court decision.

As an aside, I used Dexron/Mercon ATF in my Bobcat Skid Loader for years with no ill effects. In fact, ATF has special high quality seal additives and anti-foaming properties.

It was in there when I sold it and the buyer (who I know) is still runnung ATF.

 

[dconine]

I'm pretty sure UTF= Universal Tractor Fluid. - And if it has lasted 2-3 years and it was the incorrect fluid, surely something major would have happened by now? I would say that is the correct fluid to use, as other hydraulic oil companies have red hydraulic oil.

 

[DK35vince]

Well there used to be a TRC rep on these forums, Dieselpower was his name I think. He sold me on the fact the UTF Red was hydraulic fluid and was an upgrade over SUDT. Everyone at the time seemed to agree so I bought a 5gal drum and used it. I do not think that it is ATF.

UTF RED

If you look at the table at the bottom they list it as a replacement for SUDT.[/B]"

Sure looks to be the correct fluid to me.
Tell the service manager to leave it in there.

 

[acohen100]

Thanks for the reassurace, all. That's what I thought, but didn't want to be one of those know-it-all end users. I already told him to leave it be and I think I'll stick with that decision. Appreciate all the advise.

 

[Skyco]

Techinically, you can use any compatible fluid so long as the specification meets or exceeds the OEM spec and there ain't squat any dealer can do and they can't deny any warranty claim, basing it on a non-OEM fluid.

I guess the bumpkin (dealership mechanic) never heard of the Magnuseon-Moss Act. That crap was litigated a decade ago to the chagrin of all the OEM's.

The OP never said anything about warranty. If he put UTF Red in 3 years ago warranty is a moot point on a BX anyway.

 

[brucew44guns]

Most UTF's that I have seen, have a distinctive smell all their own. If your tech guy at the shop had sniffed the fluid he might have been a little slower to call you with this. The TRC fluid is no doubt correct and you have no worries. I can't imagine how pissed I would be if this machine was mine, and they had gone ahead and drained that oil out and stuck me with a bill.

 

[5030]

The OP never said anything about warranty. If he put UTF Red in 3 years ago warranty is a moot point on a BX anyway.

The why the hoopla about changing it?? With no recourse it don't matter what's in the case. I'd still tell the service guy to FO.