My dealer advised against SUDT

[SkyPup]

So did everyone finally understand why a dealer advising against using Kubota's Super Universal Dynamic Tractor Hydraulic Fluid in the HST and GST tractors is a dealer who you do not want to take their advice or your business? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[bugstruck]

Skypup, I guess I'll have to move to your State. Maybe they have some good dealers there. My dealer has the best rep within say 40 miles, and we have a number of Kubota dealers in that circle. I will call around next time to see what the others are doing though as far as dosing the hydraulics. I'm not even defending my dealer, they are just the best here according to everyone I've spoken to. There is allot more to a dealer than just fluids. They will get an education on that as you will see below.

I'll try and rein in the confusion you caused some with your comment that Kubota doesn't spec engine oil. Kubota only lists the reccomend weights and API ratings. On my 3130 the API can vary depending on the sulfur content of the fuel.

I stumbled across something that does add to or bolster your case, and it would be remiss of me not to bring it to this discussion. Surprised you didn't bring this to my/our attention. At the end of the periodic maintenance section of my 3130 manual there is a note, with wording to the effect, that SUDT is the recommended fluid for better protection, etc.. I'm on lunch so I don't have the manual here to do a verbatim, pg. 65 maybe. I had totally missed that. So I retract my comments that both fluids are "recommended" for my machine. They are both "acceptable". Kubota would prefer we use SUDT in the 3130's and I assume most other models. They state that.

Does this mean you won the UDT/SUDT comparison debate? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif To a degree it does. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Does Kubota advise against using UDT as you do? No, but they clearly state that it offers better protection. So they weigh in on your side.

I was not too suprised by the flow separations in your attached graph. Basically what I would have expected, except I thought the merge would be closer in time. I didn't see the ambient or fluid temps noted though. I'd be curious to know that if you do.

Been fun!

Regards,

 

[SkyPup]

Chris, that graph is @ -30*C. I am glad that you asked that as I specifically did not post that infomation to see how long it would take for someone to ask, indicating that they are really thinking....

FYI, the other graphs I did not post, show SUDT and UDT not even coming close until oil temps reach 100*C, which I seriously would NOT advise trying in your hydraulics.

But, even at 25*C which is a normal ambient temp of 75*F, there is no comparison between the flow characteristics of SUDT & UDT, none.

Also, SUDT is particularly good at preventing rust in the HST's wet clutch compared to UDT, as well as keeping water emulsion from blocking out the hydraulic filter assembly.

 

[SkyPup]

UDT could never hope to match SUDT, it is chemicaly & physically impossible for a straight cut 30 weight dino UDT to come anywhere near the flow characteristics of a multigrade 5W-30 synthetic, as the graph indicates, flow rates are 200% to 300% better during the critical first 15 minutes of operation....I'll take my SUDT anyday... without the waxed paraffins! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[5030]

The bottom line, at least for me, barring all the techinical jargon is simply if you pay a lot of money for a piece of equipment, in my case 45K plus, no one in their right mind (myself included) would use anything other than what the OEM recommends for fluids.

My only deviations from Kubota's recommended fluid is that I use 85-140 Shell Spirax in the front case during the summer months when I am farming and UDT in the winter. Sky-Pup, what do you know about Spirax, if anything?

 

[IH3444]

I started up my brand new New Holland TC48DA with LA18 loader at 22 degrees F Saturday morning, and the noise comming out of the valving where the loader control lever is located was a bit un-nerving. I must say that 22 degreees F isn't that cold. My neighbor and I went together and bought a 30 gal barrel of Amsoil 5-30 synthetic hydraulic/trans fluid and I can hardly wait until 50 hours service to change mine out. I'll save the "old fluid" and use it in the backhoe, that only really sees warm weather use. It will be interesting to "hear" how the Amsoil flows at the "extreme" low temperture of 22 degrees F. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SkyPup]

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how much difference there is with the increased flow from the Amsoil 5W-30 multigrade synthetic, money well spent!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[SkyPup]

Daryl, I am not familiar with the Shell Spirax gear lube, but I doubt if it would be any problem.

I've been using SUDT in the front axles of my L-3130 with 800+ hrs on it now and my L39 with 200+ hrs on it without any hassles. I think it is really a toss up between the two lubes for this application, take your choice. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[IH3444]

SkyPup, I'm going to change out the steering system also. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Bob_Young]

Yeah, well to heck with all them graphs and parameters. Whatever they say, I'm going SUDT all the way. I figure it'll make the best cold weather chainsaw bar oil after the tractor's through with it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif