Need to change to super UDT at 50 Hrs??

[Anonymous Poster]

I talked with service department at my dealers yesterday in anticipation of the infamous 50 hr service. I wanted to arrange for the filters and fluids as I have 32 hours on my machine and have to order supplies up here in Alaska. To my surprise and possible delight he told me that I did not need to change the hydraulic fluid at 50 hrs. He also said that they ( the dealer) didn't do it until 200 hrs and then only if it looked like it needed it. I have read many posts here and haved saved all the 50 hr information for the upcoming event. I have never seen this mentioned. I throw it out for comments as it would sure make this 50 hr service thing a piece of cake if I only change the oil and filters for oil and fuel.

 

[rlw]

What does your manual tell you. It likely says to change it at 50 hours. I know the BX manual says the hydraulic fluid MUST be changed at 50 hours and then goes to every 300 hrs. I sure wouldn't use a maintenance schedule of "change it if it looks like it needs it". It's no money out of this guys pocket if you don't maintain your tractor, but it certainly could be a lot of money out of yours if you don't take care of your equipment.

 

[Bird]

Richard, changing it at 50 hours is the "preventive maintenance" recommended by the manufacturer. My personal belief is that there are two reasons they recommend it: (1) they get to sell oil and filters, and (2) it reduces the chances of having something go wrong, them having to do a warranty repair and having an unhappy customer. Now I'm convinced odds are in your favor that you won't have a problem if you don't do it. And I suspect the dealer figures the same thing. Of course, as you know, having the odds in your favor doesn't always mean you win. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif If it does break down, maybe the dealer will fix it under warranty and maybe Kubota Corporation won't be told that you and the dealer didn't follow their recommendations, because if they know you didn't follow proper maintenance procedures, they could decline to warranty the work. Life's a gamble; do you play the odds or do you spend a little more for a sure thing? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'm not much of a gambler; I changed mine.

Purely my personal thoughts and opinion of course.

 

[SageBrush]

Most dealers will recommend changing the UDT at 300 to 400 hours depending on the model. My salesman is a 400 type, my tractor mechanic said he changed his at 50 as per the manufactures instructions.

I would follow the owners manual, the 50 hour service instructs you to change the UDT for a reason.

I'm sure the manufactures just want you to buy more UDT /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

But, maybe they think its good to get the "break in" oil out and hopefully any metal etc.. that could be in it. Remember, you don't have to use the expensive Kubota Super UDT, the stuff I use is from a local oil company. The barrel label clearly states that it is equal to the Kubota oil and a few other brand names. I actually read the label last week to see if it said anything about UDT / Super UDT, I was pleasently surprised to see all the tractor brands I run and some other specs, like John Deer compatible. I have never bought oil at the dealer, never will....can't afford it. My dealer wants $70 for 5 gallons of super!

 

[sandyc]

If you live in Alaska I would think it critical to use the Super UDT because of the low temps.
My dealer does not push the 50 hour changes but after spending my kids inheritence I figure I better follow the manual to the letter.
Like the FRAM add says, pay me a little now or a lot later.

 

[Chief]

If the manual says change the oil.......change the oil. It is cheap insurance and keeps your warranty happy. I would use the super UDT, it is a better lubricant but you can get by with the regular UDT. You won't change it again for a loooooong time so why not use the best preventative measures you can. Plus the orange color of the the fluid will match your tractor paint. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MarkV]

The UDT vs. Super UDT has had a lot of airplay on the forum in the past with varied opinions. The one point that was less controversial than some was that Super did offer an advantage in cold weather. My thinking is similar to Birds about the ability of the oil to hold up past 50 hrs. I do advocate changing at 50hrs though to flush any metal particles that were left during the assembly process. There have been numbers of posts where people found a significant amount of metal in the catch screen on the hydro system. I just don't want that in the systems of a new tractor so I vote change.

MarkV

 

[techman]

Strongbow:

I work for a hydraulics company, and was skeptical of the need at such low hours, but I did it to eliminate any excuse if there is a warranty issue.

Much to my surprise, there was a significant amount of dark "stuff" in the fluid. You have initial wear in particles of the hydraulic components, plus the rear brakes run in the hydraulic oil, so the particles that initially flake off of the brake material also get into the oil.

I was also surprised at the color of the oil in the front axle. Again I attribute it to initial run-in, but the fluid was nearly black at times when draining.

I would defenitely not scrimp in the early stages and for sure change the fluids as recommended, and get rid of the accumulated crud.

paul

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I asked the question to both dealers in my area when I recently purchased my B7800. Both said no need to change the fluid at 50 hr service. Just engine oil, filter, check and clean the air filter. I will check over my manual and see what it says.

 

[Chief]

If you don't want to pay for the Kubota Super UDT here is another fluid you can use made by the folks that make Super UDT. It is even orange colored. Kinda makes ya wonder ehh???? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif


Link to Chevron Synthetic THF

You will have to find a petroleum products distributor in your area to buy it. May or may not save you some money.