M59 - 50 hour service

[ManAtArms]

So I just hit hit 50 hour mark (actually 52 hours) and I need to have the first service performed. I called the local Kubota dealer and was quoted $800. They said it would take about 4 hours. The manual says the following must be performed at 50 hours:

Engine Oil Change
Engine Oil filter Replace
Transmission Oil Filter (HST) Replace
Hydraulic Oil Filter Replace
Clutch Adjust

So, it seems a bit odd to me to charge $800 bucks for doing the above items. Is there something I'm missing here? Are the Kubota filters and fluids super expensive. Also, 4 hours seems a bit much.

?????

-Mark

 

[Big Bri]

i don't have a M59 but it took me about an hr to change the oil, oil filter. hydro filter, check the clutch play (need no adjustment). i don't remember what it cost for the filters but the dealer gave me a big cut on them because i bought them when i bought the tractor. but i don't think i have more than $100 to $150 for oil filters and hydro fluid.

by the way it wasn't hard at all. . . easer than crawling under the truck to change the oil.

good luck
brian

 

[thavil]

I also don't have a M59 (far from it) but for that quote, I assume they would be going over everything on the tractor (including checking the torque on each nut and bolt). I also would bet that they would be changing the hydraulic/transmission fluid for that price. If it was me, I would go ahead and do the service myself. You will get to know your tractor better by doing this.

 

[gwdixon]

I just did a L48 and it is almost identical. The trans filer is $60, a couple of HST filters at $18, oil filter $6, 8 qts of oil, 14 gallons (!) of hydraulic fluid (do it - if the manual says don't it is wrong), front axle - 9 qts. SAE 80-90 gear oil, fuel filter. It adds up quickly.

Then figure $90/hour labor for $360. You can save quite a bit by using Shell or TSC Premium hydraulic oil over Kubota fluids - especially Super UDT. Other may freak out at the suggestion but many on TBN use other than Kubota fluids.

 

[curtisfarmer]

Just picked up my L48 SUDT and the 3 hyd. filters.....$422. Yikes!

 

[Chuck K.]

I did mine, one ongoing debate is rather or not all the hydro. fluid needs to be changed or not at this interval. Owners manual states it does shop manual says it does not (or vice versa)..

If you decide to do it yourself and you do NOT want to change all the fluid be sure and have a real clean pail/bucket ready because when you pull the hydro filter off about a 3/4" stream of fluid comes at you rather fast...

I tried to get the new filter on quickly but after almost getting drowned in hydro. fluid I said to **** with it drained it all and purchased new. Next time I will be properly prepared..

 

[ManAtArms]

After gauging the responses here and speaking to some members privately, I have decided to go ahead and do it myself. Kubota dealer charged me about $370 for the Super UDT and Filters. Now I need to get the oil.

For year round use, the manual calls for 10W-30 or 15W-40 in CI-4 spec. I read a few posts indicating that Kubota is going to update the books to show that CJ-4 is allowed (I guess due to the prevalence of ULSF). I would like to run synthetic, but it appears that Mobil 1 and Rotella brands only offer 5W-40.

I suppose the oil topic is a can of worms...but do ya'll think 5W-40 synthetic will void the warranty? Is 50 hours too soon to jump to synth?

-Mark

 

[rScotty]

I'm just doing the 200 hour service on our M59. Because of our cold weather I went back to the Super UDT for the hydraulic oil.

The various motor oil recommendations and conversations really confused me. I don't feel too comfortable about Kubota changing the oil spec too now allow the very same oil types that they had made a point of not allowing when they designed the engine.

Interestingly, the John Deere dealer down the road stocks John Deere CI-4 oil in 15w-40 as their standard diesel oil. That's exactly what Kubota originally specified for the M59. When I asked the JD dealer why, they said because that's what so many of their tractors required. Nice. I'll be using that oil.
rScotty

 

[Chato]

I did the 50 hour service replacing the UDT and filters, oil change and fuel filter. Tech came 150 miles out to the ranch to do it using a truck mounted vac system to purge the fluids without creating a mess. They were delivering another tractor and offered to do it for me which I appreciated.

The M59 is an excellent machine. That being said, I think Kubota's very expensive 50 hour hydraulic service requirement is a pretty unfriendly. They are passing along a lot of expense to new owners just to cover their own warranty. I was really disappointed with this policy and it's exhorbitant cost.

I have always used Rotella 15w40 for my diesel and genny applications. It's been good enough to run everything else around here and it should be good enough for the Kubota.

 

[bpsooner]

I debated whether or not to take my tractor in to the dealer or do it myself. The dealer quoted me $600 to complete the 50 hr service. I decided to do it myself and I am glad I did. One, it saved me $200 and it was a great learning experience.
It was a very simple task. I replaced all the filters, engine oil, transmission, and front axle. The only problem I had was the dealer did not give me the correct amount of fluids. I went into the manual and coverted the liters to quarts and realized I did not have enough fluid. I had to make an additional trip for fluids.
If you take your time and read the manuals it is a simple process and a great learning process. It will also save you some money

 

[rScotty]

I debated whether or not to take my tractor in to the dealer or do it myself. The dealer quoted me $600 to complete the 50 hr service.

The dealer did the 50 hour service as part of the purchase. Basically it is all filters, engine oil, and greasing. Approximate price for parts was 250 and labor 260. He also put on the M59 block heater kit for another hundred bucks parts and labor.

I'm doing the 200 hour service myself, and this time will change the hydraulic fluid to SUDT and the engine oil back to Kubota's recommendation. The parts are about $500, with the oils making up half of that.
rScotty

 

[Dead Horse]

I would like to run synthetic, but it appears that Mobil 1 and Rotella brands only offer 5W-40.

I suppose the oil topic is a can of worms...but do ya'll think 5W-40 synthetic will void the warranty? Is 50 hours too soon to jump to synth?

-Mark

Maybe a can of worms....... so what.

Delvac 15 W40 IS mobil 1, diesel grade...... I run it in my whole fleet of cars. trucks and tractors.....eight engines in all. The only things that do not get it are the Harleys, the quads and the sleds........

Delvac, great stuff......... I have run it for 10+ years in everything from torque monsters to some very high performance engines and have a good half a million miles (or hour equivelent) on the stuff. Love IT!

One other thing....... you can tell if you have water in your hyd oil...look atit when it is warm and you have been running the tractor...... is it "creamy".... that is H2O.

Let the tractor sit for a day or so in a cool environment..... the drain plug should be at the lowest point in the casing anyway. Open it and see what falls into the pail first....... a lot of water???????? drain the poor beast and refill...... pure oil? replace the oil filter(S), top off the il and you are good to go.

Just one man's opinion which I am ssure will be hooted down by the pursits.....

NOGAF