UDT vs SUDT vs Synthetic

[tsterkel]

Hi!
"new" L275, want to look at replacing the hydraulic oil to get a baseline. I am proficient at reading motor oil specs, but am having difficulty on hydraulic oil. need help.

Q1. What is the difference between UDT and SUDT?
Q2. What is the non-Kubota commerical equivalent spec
Q3. What are good brands of SYNTHETIC (NOT blends) hydraulic oils?

thanks!

background:
I am a big enthusiast of Synthetic Oils and have converted all vehicles long ago to them. Never saw any of the "bad effects" and have seen significant benefits. Replaced the "high grade Kubota oil with Mobile 1 T&SUV and got major cleanout of sludge in 3 hours.

 

[v8dave]

Kubota Super UDT is a synthetic hydraulic fluid.

Chevron THF-TTF is a Tractor Hydraulic Fluid that is listed as a replacement for SUDT. Attached is a PDF specification sheet.

 

[N80]

Thanks for the info. I found it odd that the manual for my L4400 did not list any alternatives or specs for using anything but the Kubota UDT or Super UDT.

 

[JoeL4330]

Best thing about it seems to be that it is orange, and should be easily readable on the dipstick!

 

[tsterkel]

thanks for the highly useful response!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Kubota Super UDT is a synthetic hydraulic fluid.
Chevron THF-TTF is a Tractor Hydraulic Fluid that is listed as a replacement for SUDT. Attached is a PDF specification sheet. )</font>

 

[Mike_C]

Dave,
Where can I buy Chevron All-Weather-THF ? Does tractor supply carry it? Any web site where I can purchase it and have it shipped to me?

 

[v8dave]

I haven't bought any Chevron. What I did was go to my two local Chevron fuel oil dealers and get a quote from them (amazing, the only two fuel oil jobbers in this area are both Chevron dealers). I can't remember what the price was now. I vaguely recall it wasn't enough cheaper than SUDT to cause me to switch. Since this isn't big farming country, neither dealer had any in stock, but could have it at their shops in several days. But neither of my two closest Kubota dealers had 5 gallon pails of SUDT in stock either.

Unlike a lot of dealers other TBNers have found, both local Kubota dealers did have SUDT in stock in 1 gallon and 2.5 gallon jugs. But the 5 gallon pails are cheaper by about 20% per gallon over the 2.5 gallon jugs.

So, since I had to wait for a shipment anyway, I bought my SUDT by calling my Sacramento dealer and had them drop ship a 5 gallon pail from Kubota to my house (which is what Tractor Smart will do).

 

[v8dave]

I should mention that a few months ago there was a discussion on SUDT prices here on TBN. I dicscovered that my Sacramento Kubota dealer's price for SUDT was among the lowest (if not the lowest) price posted. So, check around don't assume SUDT will be cheaper than Chevron THF in your area.

 

[Mike_C]

Thanks for the info. My local Kubota dealer went out of business due to health issues, so I don't have a close kubota dealer any more. I've been buying all my kubota parts off tractorsmart.com.
Rumor is there is a kubota dealer about 20 miles from me but I haven't tried to find it yet. I should start a whole 'nother thread about how Kubota would not allow my local dealer to sell the business even when he had a buyer. I could not believe the story.
Kubota seems to be very "pushy" when it comes to dealers...

 

[sneaky_pete]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I should start a whole 'nother thread about how Kubota would not allow my local dealer to sell the business even when he had a buyer. I could not believe the story.
Kubota seems to be very "pushy" when it comes to dealers... )</font>

Not defending the practice, but I think it may be fairly common among big-name franchise operations. I ran into the exact same thing (on the buyer's side) ten years ago with a Harley-Davidson franchise in a small rural town. Owner wanted to sell, we agreed on a price, but corporate headquarters put so many conditions on the transaction (requiring re-location, new building, etc.) that it was economic suicide to do and the deal fell apart, to the chagrin of all parties except corporate h-d.