My First trans/hydraulic oil change (B5200)

[lslarry86]

My Kubota B5200 is a 1984 but I bought it last year. I just changed the transmission/hydraulic fluid for the first time.

Before the change, the level on the stick was good but the oil was white. When I ran the 3-point all the way up I got an unpleasant sound. It was hard to describe, something between a grind and a whine. It stopped when I returned the lever to the center. At change time I drained 2 gallons plus a pint of creamy white fluid.

It took 3 gallons of fluid to get something back on the dipstick, so I had to put more in than came out. The 3-point now acts different, too. When it is all the way up and the lever is still up, the RPMs drop a little, but there is no big sound.

The fluid I used is Traveller Universal Tractor Trans/Hydraulic Fluid, the only thing at Tractor Supply that seemed close to the application. So there was no choice about oil weight, and I'm a little worried about that. The 1980s Kubota manual has like 10 approved lubricants. I'd bet that none have been sold for at least 10 years. For sure, none have a weight spec.

So:
1. Can somebody explain why it took more to fill the vehicle than I drained from it, when the dipstick showed good level before?
2. Does it sound like I picked the right fluid?
Thanks.

 

[oldballs]

Surely some with hydraulic knowledge can diagnose the problem. But I'd guess that the Traveller Fluid is okay and a lot better than the milky stuff that came out. That's probably the reason the 3 pt is not making any weird noise now. More going in than coming out could be to an air space ....which might also account for the previous 3 pt noise..

Those with more hydraulic experience will come to your aid for sure.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Tractorguy24]

Water+Hydraulic fluid+movement= white creamy stuff.

The sound you heard was likely the pump being starved for fluid as it was not filled to level. On the dipstick may have looked like it was full but it wasn't. Since you also got out the foam, it took more fluid to fill than you drained.


I wouldn't worry too much about the fluid quality if its only for the hydraulics. If it also goes into your transmission, I would get a better quality fluid if you can afford it.

Since there was water in the fluid, it wouldn't be a bad idea to change it again anyway. Can you possibly post a picture to confirm it was water?

You should be able to get fluid specs from your Kubota dealer.

Im assuming you also changed the hyd. filter?

 

[IH3444]

Sounds like moisture and or water in system. I would run it a bit, drain again, refill, run a bit, drain, then run it for about 50 hours, then drain, refill again. Needs a good flushing out of moisture.

 

[lslarry86]

Mike, TractorGuy, IH3444:

Good advice. This is what came out. It looks more brown than it did the first day.



> If it also goes into your transmission, I would get a better quality fluid if you can afford it.
In this tractor, the fluid is both transmission and hydraulic fluid. Tractor Supply had several choices of each thing, but only one fluid rated for transmission _and_ hydraulic.

There is a screen, which I cleaned with kerosene and steel wool, but no filter.

Would it be reasonable to watch the dipstick and change fluid right away if it starts looking white again? Or should I just flush it on general principles?

Thanks!

 

[oldballs]

As others have noted, I'd watch that stick but drain it again after you run it awhile.
Cheers,
Mike

 

[Tractorguy24]

Definetley flush that out again, especially if you don’t have a real filter

Since it also goes in your transmission, I would get a better quality fluid for the final flush. Maybe check your CNH dealer.

I run hy-Tran ultraction(red) in my Backhoe’s power shuttle transmission but use the regular mineral oil(yellow/golden) in its hydraulic system. I hear that you’re not supposed to mix the two.

 

[IH3444]

I personally believe that the Tractor Supply Travelers hydraulic-transmission oil is a good product. I personally use it in my IH3444. It is also very cost effective for using for a flushing oil. It has the high pressure additive necessary for the gear transmissions, and the most important rear diff where the shear stress is the most highest. Oil is judged by it's resistance to shearing.