L3200 Service

[DEK]

I know I've read many posts about the 50 hour service, but I thought I'd ask for some help anyhow.

I just purchased an L3200 with 40 hours. I am going to do the 50 hour service. First of all, should I use 10W30 or 15W40? I live in northern Michigan and will sometimes use the tractor to move snow. I'm leaning towards 15W40. Second, should I change the transmission oil with the filters? If not, how much oil will I lose when I change the filters? Third, I've read that some people have found the front axle needing additional oil. I'll check it. If I have to add, I guess I should use Super UDT unless I'm going to change the oil completely, then I would go to 80W90. Finally, I would like to purchase the filters and oil from the local dealer if the prices aren't ridiculous. How much should I expect to spend for all the filters, engine oil, and some Super UDT to replace what might be lost or to top off the front axle. I have read that Messicks has great pricing. I'd like to establish myself with the local dealer if it isn't going to be crazy pricing.

I have seen some great videos on YouTube for 50 hr service. They are very well done and very explicit. In the videos the transmission and front axle fluids are changed as well. Im wondering if it is necessary to change them now.

Thanks for the help.

 

[TripleR]

Few things are so hotly debated as oil/lubricants and frequency of changes especially the 50 hour. You will get variations of the following:

1. Waste of resources.
2. Cheap insurance.

Good luck with your path to enlightenment.

 

[chim]

Make sure you use motor oil suitable for diesel service.

 

[Bluegill2]

I follow the manual and buy my fluids and filters from our local dealer.

 

[sdkubota]

The oil filter is around $12 and the hydraulic filter around $42. SUDT is around $25/gal and the hydraulics will take around 7 or 8 gallons. If you are under warranty I would use all Kubota products including SUDT. I just changed my tran/hyd fluid with Travelers oil from TSC at about half the cost. I will also say my tractor had 144 hrs on it when I bought it and the 50 hr maintenance was never performed. The changing I did was the first...luckily everything looked really good. Mine is a straight transmission...I think the hydro should follow the manufactures recommendations. Like the previous poster said...insurance.

 

[LD1]

Make sure you use motor oil suitable for diesel service.

x2

I use 15w-40 in mine.

And personally, I dont like changing filters only. I change the oil too. I guess you could call it "cheap" insurance. But I dont buy the kubota stuff. I use the TSC travellers universal UDT. But Mine is a gear also and not HST. SO you may indeed want SUDT. Others will be more helpful in that regard.

I also dont use the kubota engine filter. I use a fram XG8A. Allthough it is MUCH taller than the original one, and Mine is the older L3400 so I dont know if they have changed, but the plastic side guard wont go all teh way back on. BUt I like using the BIGGEST filter I can. The XG16 would also fit as it is the same only half as long.

Make sure you DO get the hydraulic filter from kubota though. It has a magnet ring inside that most aftermarket filters (even good ones) dont have.

And if you decide to only do the filters, you can use a shop-vac stuck in the hydraulic fill hole. Its a neat trick but you wont loose any fluid as it creates just enough vacuum inside to not let the fluid come out. I dont know if it works for filters, but it does when adjusting/shimming the PRV

 

[number two]

As for oil recommendations,the Kubota factory fill is 10W30.In your climate it would be an excellent decision to use 10W30.I'm just south of the bridge and it works well for me.Lower viscosity oils for all equipment is the trend lately.10W30 can be a little hard to find in a diesel rating.Kubota will have it and Shell Rotella is another popular choice.Your local auto parts store or Walmart may have it or can order it for you.Our local dealer(Ginop Sales in Alanson)has had 20% off filters and fluids(internet prices)since last year.Good Luck!

 

[k0ua]

Some thoughts: I used 15W40 in my L3400HST, but I am a lot further south. I just changed the hydraulic and the Hydrostat filter, I did not change the fluid on the Kubota, I followed the manual.. Ironically on my new Kioti, I changed both as this is what the manual called for. I will say this, the fluid that went back in looked a lot cleaner than the fluid that came out at 50 hours. I changed the front axle fluid also, as this is what the manual called for.. I did not do it on the Kubota, as the manual did not call for it. (mine was a 2010) I think some of the older Kubota manuals did call for the fluid change at 50, but I am not sure, But I think some owners have said that. The Vacuum cleaner trick works, but you will get some spray/mist in your vacuum cleaner. I lost maybe 1/3 to 1/2 quart of fluid. some have said if you are just really prepared and quick you won't lose much more anyway.. Others have suggested parking sideways on a steep slope so the fluid drains away from the opening. Do what your heart tells you on whether to change the fluid or not. With the Hydrostat, I would put SUDT back in it, as some have reported more hydro whine by using a generic fluid. And while the manual says UDT or SUDT.. up north, I would use SUDT for both the hydrostat/hydraulics and also for the front axle. Again these are just my ideas.. there are lots of opinions floating around Of course I would use Genuine Kubota filters, at least until the warranty period was up, and probably I would continue anyway. Yes there are a couple of good 50 hour videos on YouTube, and good luck when you tackle your 50 hour.

James K0UA

 

[MHarryE]

I got my Kubota from a dealer in Northern WI and he highly recommended 10W-30 instead of 15W-40. SUDT is excellent for cold flow in the hydro. Dealer I bought my first Kubota from 10 years ago said I shouldn't spend the extra because mine was in a heated garage but I used SUDT anyway. Now I use Cat MTO which is basically UDT. The Cat dealer is 120 miles closer.

 

[Chilly807]

Check your owner's manual for oil viscosity recommendations. Unless it gets really hot there in the summer, 10w30 with a diesel rating is probably your best choice. I use it here in Nova Scotia. Nothing wrong with using Kubota oil and filters, particularly if there's any chance you might need warranty repairs. Remember, there are 2 engine oil drain plugs, one on each side of the oil pan.

I changed my hydraulic oil at about 100 hours, because I had the system open to add a rear remote and wanted to be sure I hadn't added any contamination with new hoses, valves, etc.

Hydraulic filter change for sure.. you'll probably find some steel machining debris on the filter ring, the jury's out as to what's considered "normal". Mine had some chips on the magnet, others have been clean. My hydraulic filter was tighter than the hinges of ****, had devil of a time getting it off.

The shop vac in the trans oil fill hole works well for the filter change, you might get a little bit of oil in the hose though.

Take some pics of the hydraulic filter, please, we'd all like to see how much metal you find.

Just curious, how smooth is the raise motion of your three point hitch if you move the lever slowly?

Sean