Reasons to use Super UDT

botalvr · Sep 13, 2004

Due to my former dealer's advice (when I asked about Kubota "fluid" for my trans, they said they don't even stock the UDT fluid, thye just use a 3rd party fluid), I started using Valvoline fluid with no ill effects that I know of.
Now I am wondering if I have damaged my unit. I'll sure be changing back to Super UDT on my next change.
Just another in a series of bad advice from this dealer.
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

dmftoy1 · Sep 13, 2004

( Today I did my 50 hour UDT and filter change. Instead of using Kubota Super UDT I used Traveler brand UDT from Tractor Supply, because it was much cheaper and because someone here had posted that they use it all the time and like it.
I immediately noticed that the power and response were lessened. I can take guesses at why this is so, but I thought I could live with it until some serious digging with the BH and FEL were hampered enough to annoy me.
After digging for a while with the FEL, I got off the machine and found that the BH had drifted nearly to the ground! This has never happened since I bought it.
Needless to say, my next servicing will include Super UDT to get my performance back!
/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gifHas anyone else had a similar experience? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Charley )

FWIW, I had similiar "complaints" after swapping our my Super UDT twice . ..one session of lawn mowing cured it each time. (I have a wind break where I'm moving steering lock to lock MANY times as I cut around the trees.). I attribute mine to bleeding the system of any air. I've tried the FEL twice after swapping fluid and each time it hasn't behaved correctly. One mowing session (1 1/2 hours) and it's been back to normal each time.

Not sure if that's your problem or not, but just my .02

Regards,
Dave

Bird · Sep 13, 2004

( my owners manual it shows 9 different manufacturers' equivalent to UDT. Also, it doesn't even mention Super UDT )

As did my manual for my '95 B7100. Then the '99 B2710 manual called for UDT or Super UDT. The dealer I bought it from did not stock or use Super UDT, but said he'd order it for me if I wanted it. And another Kubota dealer also did not stock Super UDT and only had the UDT in quarts because he uses a third party hydraulic fluid.

techman · Sep 13, 2004

Being in the industry, I can tell you that there are no "magic" hydraulic fluids. There seems to be consesus that Super UDT is a synthetic oil. The main feature would be that it has a better viscosity index, meaning that the change in viscosity from cold to hot is less. The main advantage that this offers is that a thicker oil can be used, and it retains its viscosity when hot (better lubricity and lewer internal leakage), but is not too thick when cold out.

Many normal tractor oils are a lower viscosity to provide proper conditions when cold. These oils will get thinner when hot, and allow for higher internal leakage.

The changes you describe seem extreme for a change to a standard tractor oil. I would look into it a bit more. Also if you run a standard tractor oil, a lower viscosity oil can be used in cold weather to compensate for the conditions (remember to change back in the spring).

Remember that all mobile equipment that uses hydraulics (construction equipment to salt spreaders) has the same problem, and virtually no one uses synthetic fluid, mainly due to the cost and minimal benefit.

The best decision is to use what you are comfortable with. Changing to a standard grade fluid should not have any noticable effect on the machine, and will not ruin it.

paul

JoeG · Sep 13, 2004

Why is there a consensus that Super UDT is synthetic? Low temp fluidity is not a synthetic only characteristic. I have not seen any official statement by Kubota that says it is synthetic or partially synthetic. Almost all products on the market that have any bit of a synthetic component are quick to market it with that magic word.

I too wanted improved low temp flow so that I would feel comfortable about starting my tractor in the cold so I switched to Super UDT. I didn't notice a significant difference. Later I switched to a true synthetic and did notice that the HST was quieter and smoother.

techman · Sep 13, 2004

The consensus was from this board. About a year ago someone uncovered what appeared to be the manufacturer (if I remember correctly it was Chevron) and the same product sold under the OEM's name. There was also some reference by the manufacturer to Kubota. That product was a synthetic.

Most fluids with a relatively flat viscosity are part or full synthetics. Also the prece differential implies that it is a synthetic.

paul

Junkman · Sep 13, 2004

What "true synthetic" did you switch to and what model is your tractor???? thanks..

Alan L. · Sep 13, 2004

The price of the Super UDT is really irrelevant to me, for the stated reasons. However, I'm not sure UDT is actually better down here in Texas where it gets really hot. My tractor came with regular UDT and I never had any trouble with the power steering until I personally changed out the UDT and put in super at 50 hours. And at 215 hours when they took the Super out and put the UDT back in, my steering problems improved. Since I had the work done that fixed most of the problem, I have since gone back to Super. So really, I'm not sure which is really better for my tractor here in Texas.

ZackaryMac · Sep 13, 2004

I called my local dealer today and they too didn't know about Super UDT or what it was. They did stock regular UDT, at $53 for 20L pail (5gal). I can only imagine how much the Super oil was. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

My oil doesn't even show on the stick. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Time to change it, perhaps. Filter too. Beats me how many hours are on the oil. I've put 35 on it myself.

bxbuster · Sep 13, 2004

At my 50 hr change I also went to udt at the recommendation of the dealer. I immediately noticed a big difference in fel performance. The dealer said this would only be noticeable in cooler weather but this has not been my experience. I have lived with it for another 50 hours but have decided to switch it back in a few weeks with cooler weather approaching. Any input on amsoil?