SUDT

SkyPup · Apr 18, 2006

( I was told by the 2 local dealers that I dont need the SUDT the reg UDT will be fine because the SUDT is only needed for arctic temps. has anyone heard that before )

We never encounter arctic temperature down here in Florida but we always use SUDT or a SUDT compatible hydraulic fluid in all our GST and HST machines.

If you have a manual transmisson, you don't need it.

N80 · Apr 18, 2006

Why is it so hard to get cold hard data on this stuff? The lack of reliable info is what makes this such a difficult subject.

Here is the paradox:

1) Like many of us, I'm a relative newcomer to tractors and I've just spent more on this tractor than I can believe. My 50 hour service is coming up. I don't have to change the stuff again for another 350 hours which in my case might be 5 or 6 years. So why not just go ahead and get the good stuff, it only costs a little more.

2) There is no objective difference (in terms of actual performance) in UDT vs SUDT that _anyone_ can really show me. My tractor is a manual and even though it gets used hard, it will probably take 5 or 6 years to put 350 more hours on it. It is hot where I live. So why spend around $175 on SUDT when I can put UDT, which Kubota 'makes' and recommends, for about $115 and never know the difference? A fool and his money are soon parted right?

In the end, ignorance will likely cause me to go with the SUDT. And I hate making decisons based on fear and ignorance.

My dealer is having a big sales event this weekend (barbecue, door prizes, factory reps, etc) so I'm going to head over there and see what their take on the matter is.

BandDcabinet · Apr 18, 2006

My dealer says the Kubota SUDT is produced by Valvoline for Kubota. Says he has the MSDS safety sheets for both and the Kubota sheet shows valvoline as the manufacturer. I know I've come across this before somewhere on the internet. Dealer doesn't carry the Kubota oil and is reluctant to order it. Seems to be one of the largest dealers in the area. Kubota must know that he doesn't order their oil. If it's critical why wouldn't they enforce the requirement.

I agree with most here... I'm going to order the Kubota SUDT and not worry about it.

Berniep · Apr 18, 2006

When I did the 50 hour on my BX23 the dealer did not have enough SUDT and not ANY UDT for me to do the change. The parts guy sold me some labeled for John Deer. I was a little reluctant but he said it was the same stuff and met all the specs so I bought it. It made the transmission louder, it whined mor especially when it warmed up(of course it could be that my little bota just don't like green /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif). Now as it turned out, after about 5 hour I remembered that I forgot to check the pickup screen, I had the perfect excuse to change it again(no honey, it's all gonna drain out and you can't put it back in). Now it's back to being the relativly quiet transmission that it was before.

SkyPup · Apr 19, 2006

There is no comparison between UDT and SUDT, UDT is a straight 30W, whilst SUDT is a 5W-30 multigrade.

N80 · Apr 19, 2006

I understand that they are different, but what does that mean to me, or anyone else, in terms of tranny (manual and HST) and hydraulic performance? Is it strictly a weather issue?

Even if we concede that SUDT is _somehow_ superior, I want to know where, when and how it is superior. And if the superiority is such that there is no comparison, why would Kubota put their name on and recommend the use of UDT in their owner's manuals.

And why, in the owner's manual, do they not describe the proper application for each of their two recommended fluids? That fact alone breeds suspicion. Usually if something is more expensive _and_ worth it, someone can show/tell you why.

SkyPup · Apr 19, 2006

In hydraulic performance and HST & GST trannys, it simply means that SUDT is always superior to UDT.

SkyPup · Apr 19, 2006

Click the attachment and make your own choice!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

cart99 · Apr 19, 2006

( I understand that they are different, but what does that mean to me, or anyone else, in terms of tranny (manual and HST) and hydraulic performance? Is it strictly a weather issue?

Even if we concede that SUDT is _somehow_ superior, I want to know where, when and how it is superior. And if the superiority is such that there is no comparison, why would Kubota put their name on and recommend the use of UDT in their owner's manuals.

And why, in the owner's manual, do they not describe the proper application for each of their two recommended fluids? That fact alone breeds suspicion. Usually if something is more expensive _and_ worth it, someone can show/tell you why. )

I can't think of a situation where a multi-viscosity lubricant (i.e. SUDT) would *not* out-perform single-viscosity (UDT)

N80 · Apr 19, 2006

( In hydraulic performance and HST & GST trannys, it simply means that SUDT is always superior to UDT. )

Ah, that clears things up. I guess that's why they call it 'super'.

As for the graph, thanks. I don't know what it means but the super udt line is higher than the udt line so it must be better. But seriously, that is good solid objective data, and that helps.

But this question remains: if sudt is always better in every way, that means udt is always inferior in every way. Why would Kubota, any dealer or any owner ever make it, stock it, sell it, or use it?

Here is what the cynical side of me thinks: UDT is perfectly sufficient for virtually all applications and conditions since it is recommended by Kubota and Kubota does not specifiy when or where SUDT will actually improve performance or protection over UDT. Plus, I'm pretty sure they come with UDT in them. And while SUDT has the potential to provide some theoretical benefit, it is unlikely to be objetively evident regardless of the machine, use or weather.

Here is what the less cynical side of me thinks: SUDT has 'super' in front of it and UDT does not, plus SUDT costs more. And since I only want 'super' stuff in my tractor, that's what I'm going to put in it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif