Kubota Oil...A decision!

[Anonymous Poster]

Kubota Folks...

I wish I had the time, I would survey all nationwide Kubota dealers by phone (they probably wouldn't return a mail survey) and see what they say about UDT versus "SUPER UDT" (Super= super spendy).

I would send all my results to Kubota with a simple question...Do you acknowledge that your dealer base feels you are full of it when it comes to your OWN tractors?

I called 5 more dealers today, and talked to both parts and service. One said they use Super because it is required by the warranty. ALL others said they don't use it in ANYTHING, HST GST with the exception of excavators, or if they know the tractor is destined to live somewhere where it is very cold and will sit outside at night or when not being used for many hours at a time. Three of them don't even carry it!

One said they stopped shortly after their first purchase of it a long time ago when they were told "by Kubota?" that it was for cold use only. The manuals say nothing about this. But it makes you wonder how something so simple can be ignored by Kubota's own dealer network!

They were not shy at all volunteering this info.

del

 

[JATO_RaT]

Del, maybe its just not that big of a deal. If they were reporting major malfunctions with UDT perhaps then it would. Myself, I just don't care, as long as oil is in there and everything is working well. Then again, I live in a rather warm climate, especially since reading about the "New Englanders" posts on moving snow. Perhaps a Super UDT oil change would be super worthwhile. Unless they are having big problems with the existing lubrication they are using, its probably more an exercise in "what if" or "what would happen" with a different hydraulic oil. The only thing that I have seen listed here about Super UDT is the odor that eminates from it. In the end, the end result of having used UD for the first 400 hours on my L4850's life and now the considerably more costly Amsoil 30 weight sysnthetic hydraulic oil, I can tell you there is no perceivable difference. While the 4850 is not HST, it does use a "Wet Clutch" that is, a clutch that is bathed in the hydraulic fluid continuously. Rat...

 

[Thomas]

del,
My owners manual says UDT and I also ask my dealer if it would be okay to switch to Super UDT,and he said I shouldn't do to the cold region I live in.
Indeed you could have a very interesting poll should you decide to do it.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Snell]

Thomas,
Your dealer said "you shouldn't" use Super UDT in your tractor??? I'm assuming that your average winter temp is in the same range as ours (about 10 F in the winter for four months). The advantage of the Super is the viscosity. Much as diesel will gel, put a capful of UDT in your freezer and see what happens... or even better, put UDT and Super UDT in the freezer and compare results. Those who operate in warmer climates are very correct... the Super would be a waste of money but for those running the tractors in cold weather, especially the HST and GST models it is highly recommended. If you have a block heater that "prewarms" the tractor engine/oil, it may not be as necessary. It is unfortunate that not all dealers are well informed about the difference, but I understand that if it is an issue that never comes up (like in Bird's area), in general there will be less inquiry/information about it. Many times it is customer inquiry that helps increase the dealers knowledge (if they don't know the answer, they will find out...)

 

[skent]

My books, both owners manual and service manual, (f/B7300 HST) all say "USE SUPER UDT"

they say nothing anywhere about if its warm or cold to use this or that. They never even mention UDT.

My local dealer does not stock it but will special order it if I really want it.

Steve

 

[Snell]

Some people out there have an owners manual that says "use UDT or Super UDT". Clear as mud... The owners manuals are written in Japan. Those of you that have the original manuals for the late 70's Kubota's will find the recommendation to use only gear oil (80-90) in the tractors. Come to find out, this was not the smartest thing Kubota has done (especially for those tractors out weathering the cold). The Super UDT will not hurt the tractor so Kubota is doing a job of CYA. They don't know if the tractor will end up in northern Montana or southern Florida so the manual says use the Super just in case the tractor ended up in a place where the temps go to the low end of the scale. If your dealer does not even keep it in stock, chances are it is not needed for the climate zone you are in.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

No, no dealer said I "shouldn't" use Super UDT because of problems, just because I shouldn't as I "shouldn't" go buy a 20,000 3/4" inch chain to tow things with my tractor...overkill.

It very very rarely gets below 30 degrees where I live and I can't see ever wanting to go play on the tractor if it did. My tractors are garaged also.

I can see a definite advantage to Super if I was in a colder area. I wish there were specs out there to compare it to Amsoil, which is probably the way I'd go in a colder climate.

del

 

[Thomas]

Snell,
Thanks for the advice,and when I'm at my dealer tomorrow I'll ask evem more question on this topic.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Snell]

Thomas,
Please let me know what they have to say about it. I really am curious as to how they respond.
Thanks

 

[JonSpinosa]

I can not understand all the fuss over the cost of super UDT versus UDT oil. I think that even the most skeptical synthetic oil person would admit that synthetic and dino oils are equivalent. However, most people will agree that synthetic oils are better, therefore logic would tell us that super UDT is all around a better oil for our Kubota's. Therefore, offering us the best protection for our investment.

After saying all that, I can not understand the fuss to spend an extra $30.00 for the added cost of super UDT oil. Most compact tractors only require 3-5 gallons of hydraulic/transmission fluid. My BX2200 holds only 2.7 gallons of hydraulic oil. Super UDT cost $65.00 per 5 gallons versus $35.00 for 5 gallons of regular UDT.

Therefore, an extra $30.00 spent over the recommended hydraulic oil life of 1000 hours or probably 10 plus years for most owners equates to less that $3.00 per year to protect our $15,000 investment. If someone is not willing to spend an extra $3.00 per year probably should not own a Kubota. This would even be less for the BX at 2.7 gallons. Could someone explain if my logic is flawed? At $3.00 per year I want the best for my Kubota's!!!!!!!!