Kubota UDT vs. Super UDT

gsxr1100 · Aug 7, 2005

( I have Kubota publication F-11475: Operator's Manual: Kubota Tractor Models BX1800 BX2200. Page 39 has a table of lubricants. Line 4 says: "Transmission case: 10.1L (2.7 U. S. gals.): KUBOTA SUPER UDT fluid*." The footnote reads: "KUBOTA SUPER UDT***KUBOTA Original Transmission hydraulic fluid". A further note reads, "Transmission oil: The oil used to lubricate the transmission is also used as hydraulic fluid. To insure proper operation of the hydraulic system and complete lubrication of the transmission, it is important that a multi-grade transmission fluid be used in this system. We recommend the use of KUBOTA SUPER UDT fluid for optimum protection and performance. (Consult your local KUBOTA dealer for further detail.) Do not mix different brands or grades."

As I said before, my manual does not offer regular UDT as an option. It clearly states that SUPER UDT is to be used. No mention is made of regular UDT being an acceptable fluid. Again, I am wondering why this is so. It appears that Kubota reworded things between my tractor and yours. Very interesting; I wonder what the story is on this. ) )

Where does it clearly say/state you MUST use Super UDT??? I do not see that anywhere in there. They [Kubota] only state, as you posted above, “We recommend the….”. It does not state you must use, adhere or use anything here. Recommend is just that. Nothing more, nothing less. I also have read in many manuls (ie. Lexus) they we recommend you take your car in to Lexus dealers for service and parts...Need I say more. To me, recommend is just as it reads. There is nothing set in stone (manual)
you must use a fluid conforming to a standard.

There update their manuals from time to time (like everyone else) and they can’t hand out all new manuals to every Kubota customer on a rev change on there books. That is why 100 to 1 at the back of the manual it says "Material subject to change at anytime, blah blah".

Junkman · Aug 7, 2005

If they say that you must use a certain product, then the Federal Law concerning warranties, Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, specifies that they must get permission first from the Federal Government. You know that isn't going to happen!!! It is found under the "Tie-In Sales" Provisions of the act. If you want to read about this, here is the
web page. I don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers by quoting anything from a copyright page.

Tom_H · Aug 8, 2005

Mike, I understand what you are saying about brands and recommendations; I am not disagreeing with what you have said. My point has been and still is this. Kubota is the manufacturer of both UDT and SUPER UDT. My manual lists SUPER UDT only, which could infer that if I chose another brand, I still would do better with a cold weather rated trannie oil. Your manual lists both UDT and SUPER UDT (the cold weather and warmer weather grades) as options. Other than what you continue to post as your personal opinion, I still wonder whether Kubota had some other engineering rationale for listing only SUPER UDT (the cold weather grade) in my manual, and not listing regular UDT. While I am open to hearing opinions, I am asking whether anyone has any facts related to Kubota's reasons for the difference in or change of wording in the manuals.

gsxr1100 · Aug 8, 2005

Your manual is old and they again update and can’t give out free manuals. What they print 2 to 5 years ago most likely will not hold true 100% today. It is called concurrent engineering.

Now their website and your manual do not match (in this case). For me, looking at it, there website is the gospel in this case. Their website supercedes any other info. This happens will lots of products out there.

If you are looking for the very reason why a corporation or lawyer changed the wording, good luck. Look for the Holy Grail too since you will never find the answer; until someone on TBN is integral to Kubota or knows their standards & procedure teams.

gsxr1100 · Aug 8, 2005

I agree junkman but it seems people are putting way to much emphasis on the word recommends here. To me, that is only what their [Kubota] feels you should use. Why not since they are pushing their product.

With a little homework, there are several other fluids that pass Kubota UDT spec and some Super UDT if you want to use them in non-hyd apps.

tomnky · Aug 8, 2005

From what I have been told, Valvoline actually manufactures Super UDT for Kubota. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Ewang207 · Aug 10, 2005

Thanks for your input guys. I called Kubota's corporate office in Columbus, Ohio. They told me the 3130 would have been shipped with Super UDT installed.

RobJ · Aug 11, 2005

I just went throught this yesterday at my dealer. Manual says use either but recommend Super. When I went to buy some parts guy says no not super, not needed down here. I was just buying a gallon for a spare but since decided to change it out. Back to the dealer yesterday and talked to another guy, says the same thing, not needed in Houston, why pay twice as much. He actually some other type of Kubota oil that is the same thing. He said only the ZTR type mowers use the Super down here. So $40 for the 5 gallon and $10 each for the UDT. Funny thing is just plain old tractor hydraulic is probably just as good at $25 for 5 gallons. But since I hopefully won't have to change it out for 10-15 years I'll call it good.

Rob

Ritterbeck · Aug 11, 2005

I replaced the 11.1 gallons of Hydraulic oil and two filters (one pto $10 dollars, the other transmission for HYDRO. $38 dollars) at the 55 hour stage and used the Homer Unkeffer (Massilion location dealer) advice and used the Kubota UDT, not super) I now have 160 hours on tractor L3130 and everything is going strong. Just make sure you change the engine oil every 50 hours, because that stuff is cheap, compared to the life expetancey for your tractor. I notice my tractors engine oil starts to show some age around those hours. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

milkman · Aug 11, 2005

( I notice my tractors engine oil starts to show some age around those hours. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

What do you see that shows age? If you are seeing the oil turn black at that stage, that's just the sign that it's doing its job and suspending the soot particles, all the diesels that I've seen turn the oil black after a few hours, and doesn't mean that the oil needs to be changed. I don't like throwing away oil when it's still doing its job, we're using too much of it as it is, I'd rather change at the mfg recommended intervals or use synthetic and test to find the correct change intervals.